About Honeywood

Nestled in the rolling hills of North Devon, just outside Great Torrington in the quiet hamlet of Huntshaw, Honeywood Orchard is a young but spirited family-run apple orchard with a love for cider.

Planted in 2015 by the family of Chris Tattershell and the local Torrington Cavaliers, the orchard was born out of a lifelong dream. Chris grew up with a passion for traditional West Country cider and envisioned one day planting his own trees and crafting cider for others to enjoy. That vision took root, quite literally, in the rich Devon soil.

Today, Honeywood Orchard is run by the Sorrell Simmons family. It’s a labour of love, grounded in tradition, community, and sustainability. We grow 450 apple trees across 65 carefully chosen varieties, with a strong focus on Devon heritage. All are planted on traditional standard rootstock, allowing them to reach up to 10 metres tall, just like the traditional orchards of old.

We’re proud to farm without sulphates, sprays, or shortcuts. Our cider is fermented using only the sugar found naturally in the fruit. Leftover mulch fuels the log burner in the barn, and old cider is reborn as apple cider vinegar. Nothing goes to waste! It’s a slow, honest process that honours both the fruit and the land.

The orchard has welcomed visitors since the beginning. Whether you're here for a tour, a glass of cider on tap at the barn bar, or a browse at one of the local markets we attend, you're always invited to share in what we do. And if you're lucky, you might spot a Parson Russell Terrier puppy dashing through the trees, a nod to our North Devon roots, as our family also breeds this beloved local dog.

Each year, we gather friends and neighbours for the tradition of wassailing, blessing the trees with song and cheer to ensure a good harvest. It’s just one of the ways we stay connected to the land, the community, and the old ways of cider making.

Looking ahead, we hope to add shepherd huts for mini getaways, and a cafe that serves dishes inspired by the orchard itself. It’s all part of our goal to keep North Devon cider culture thriving, and to offer people a peaceful, authentic place to experience it.

At Honeywood Orchard, it’s all about the apples, and the people who love them.