Museum of Cider

18/08/2026

📣 Calling all cider makers! 📣

We want to know about your orchard philosophy to help inform our upcoming exhibition 'The Orchard Revived'.

Let us know by DM or in the comments about your opinions on orchards in the UK:

🍎 Do you think orchards in the UK are in decline?
🍎 Do you feel traditional orchards offer something unique to the landscape and cider making?
🍎 How to you aim to encourage biodiversity in your orchard(s)?
🍎 How can the public help combat orchard decline?

Thank you!

14/08/2026

Take a peak inside this 1908 promotional pamphlet from Bulmer’s cider! 🍎

With wonderfully detailed artwork about cider and the Bulmer’s factory, on the front is the Roman goddess Pomona. As the goddess of fruit trees, orchards and gardens, she became closely associated with apples. The illustration, based off an original design by Florentine artist Giovanni Battista Cipriani (1727–1785), has been given an Art Nouveau twist by Bulmer’s.

05/08/2026

Some rather wonderful news. Well done to the team of trustees and volunteers!
https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/26432751.hereford-cider-orchard-gets-national-plant-collection-status/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=Iwb21leATgAgZjbGNrBOABu2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHhyK0jx4cdfBPzhbxA1U8KJCcBVOCXiqupxeUQnOJqV190U0KbQ92nkLw7zx_aem_5cYuZ8c0t2h2Tc327KakOw =1785910064

A heritage orchard, part of the Museum of Cider’s holdings in Breinton, west of Hereford, has been recognised by Plant Heritage

03/08/2026

Just like an orchard, the museum is home to all kinds of creepy crawlies! 🕷

All through the school holidays we are running a small, self-led craft trail through the museum, where you can have a go at making animals commonly found in British orchards, from bugs to butterflies.

🪲 🦉 🦋 🦇

Included in usual admission

01/08/2026

A refreshing treat, to beat the summer heat 🌞

This month, pick up a 50cl bottle of Hartpury medium cider, a student-led agriculture project transforming apples from Hartpury’s heritage orchard (£3.25) 🍎 or go for for a sparkling 5.2% pet nat perry with a citrus twist, (£9.99) 🍐

📅 This offer is active until the 31st of August, while stocks last.

Museum, shop & tearoom open Tuesday-Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm.

30/07/2026

We love to collect vintage cider advertising here at the museum, but interactive advertising is on a whole other level! 🍎

These Whiteways advertising cards date from the late 1920s - 1930s, and are held in the Museum's archive.

Do you have any favourite cider adverts?

17/07/2026

One week to go until Hereford College of Arts MA Fine Art students launch their summer exhibition at the Museum of Cider.

Constellation 💫 🌌

"We are seven artists who use paint, cameras, stitch, found objects, performance and more to collaborate with nature, materials, place, art history, our inner worlds and societal concerns.
Our art emerges through paying close attention to the rhythms and patterns in the natural and built environments we inhabit.
We are pleased to share this unique yet connected constellation of artists and works with you as we complete our MA Fine Art at Hereford College of Arts."

The exhibition will be open during usual museum hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm. 24th July and 2nd August 2026.

The exhibition is displayed in two spaces in the museum, the upstairs portion is free, but to see the whole exhibition including the downstairs portion there is a reduced entry fee of £3.00.

15/07/2026

✨ Cider Production During World War II

When World War II broke out in Europe in 1939, the government allowed and even encouraged the cider producers to make cider. In 1941, the price of cider was going up due to the apple crop failing to grow. Cider was also rationed.

During the war a report of the directors to the shareholders was issued showcasing profit and loss in the Bulmer's factory during the war years. The losses of the factory were getting larger as the time went on.

The salaries for the workers varied depending on their status if they were married and if they had children. This changed in the Bulmer's factory during the war.

Advertisement of cider during the war times was crucial to keep the Bulmer's factory going. In 1941 the images on the adverts featured a solider as well as a German solider. In 1946, Bulmer's made a colour advert featuring a woman holding a rake showing that women replaced the men in factories and in agriculture while fighting bravely in the war. In 1949 Bulmer's issued a new advert of cider being transported by lorries showing that horses had been replaced in this job.

*This post has been researched and written by our summer work experience student - Thank you!

08/07/2026

🍺 Object of the Month 🍺

Assorted ‘Cidermats’, 20th Century.

Cidermats (or beermats if you prefer!) as we know them today first originated in 19th century Germany. The first cardboard drinks mat is believed to have been introduced in 1880 by Freiedrich Horn, a printing company, who aimed to create an absorbent coaster which would mop up spills more effectively than the then commonplace ceramic or felt mats. They also started to print messages on them, leading to a new wave of drinks advertising. In 1882 technology advanced, with Robert Sputh developing mats made from wood pulp which were even more effective.

The Museum holds a varied collection of branded cider & perry mats, which include examples of early advertising from companies such as Babycham, Gaymers, Stongbow, Teign Gold, Westons, Whiteways, and many more!

05/07/2026

There's plenty to see at the Museum of Cider, from hardy agricultural equipment to delicate 18th century cider glasses, and until August 23rd our latest exhibition POP! will be on display 🎉

Open Tuesday-Sunday 10.30am-4,30pm (last entry at 3.30pm).