Weston's Cider

Lore & Background

Weston's Cider was founded by Henry Weston in 1880 and remains under family ownership, with managing director Helen Thomas representing the fourth generation. The company's orchards cover 350 acres, of which 45 acres are organic trees, and 90% of its cider apples are sourced from growers within the Three Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The cider mill operates as a tourist attraction, offering daily tours, product sampling, a play park for children, a cider shop, a tea room, and a restaurant at The Bounds in Much Marcle.

The company produces a variety of products in the premium cider sector, including perry, organic ciders, and low alcohol ciders. Its product range is available in bottle, can, bag in box, and keg formats, and includes brands such as Henry Westons Vintage (8.2% ABV, medium dry), Stowford Press, Old Rosie, Wyld Wood Organic, Caple Road, Mortimer’s Orchard, Rosie’s Pig, Ranga Ginger Cider, and Perry. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on pub businesses, Weston's donated 1,800 kegs of its Stowford Press cider to its customers starting 29 June 2020.

In November 2023, the company was fined £1.4 million after an employee suffered a fatal collision with a half open security barrier.

Reader's Guide

Weston's Cider holds significance as a long-standing family enterprise that has maintained traditional cider-making methods at a single site for over a century. Its use of a large collection of oak vats and its own orchards—including organic acreage—reflects a commitment to heritage production. The company's sourcing of 90% of its apples from the Three Counties underscores its deep roots in the local agricultural landscape. Its products are widely available across the United Kingdom and in more than 44 countries, indicating a substantial export presence.

The cider mill's operation as a tourist destination, with tours, sampling, and family amenities, extends its cultural role beyond production. The donation of 1,800 kegs of Stowford Press during the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates a direct response to the challenges faced by its pub customers. The fine imposed in 2023 following a fatal workplace incident marks a notable event in the company's recent history.