SOMERSET
Torre Cider Farm, Washford
A trip to Torre Cider Company in Watchet is a bit like the best soft play centre that you’ve ever been to. There are no ball pits or slides, but there is an outdoor children’s oasis with a playground, chickens, lambs and two gloriously fat pigs, all of which you can supervise from under the shade of an apple tree, with, most importantly, a pint.
Owners Gemma and Neil (who have a nine-monthold daughter, Maggie) grow 16 apple varieties on their eight-acre orchard. Come late September, these will be hand-picked and pressed into six scrumpy ciders, ranging from dry to sweet. All the ciders can be bought in the farm shop, along with fresh eggs from their hens, local cheese and tempting bottles of apple brandy and fruit wines.
On the bright day of my visit, the rows of orchards are heavy with ripening fruit (picking season has not yet begun), making for a gorgeous walk in the dappled sunlight against the backdrop of the rolling hills of the Somerset countryside. Greet the goat along the way, and don’t be put off by his missing eye – the result of an altercation with a horse.
You can visit at any time and wander freely around the farm, but tours take place on Wednesdays at 11.30am and Saturdays at 3pm with tastings – fresh apple juice for the kids, and a snifter of Sheep Stagger (be sure to say it carefully) for grown-ups. Top it off with lunch in the café, and you have an easy-going, family-friendly and – should you desire – rather boozy day out. Just make sure you’re not the designated driver. The Sheep Stagger is a taste of real farmy deliciousness. torrecider.co.uk