inspired by an ancient cider press

Two hundred years ago, and well into the twentieth century, the Wye Valley was famous for its apple and perry orchards. There was one here at the Priory. One old pear tree remains. This cider press was being restored inside a listed building next to the Priory. It is going to be a feature in luxury holiday accommodation.

A tourist in the Wye Valley in 1839 described the local cider mills as 'consisting of a circular stone, about twelve hundred weight, set on its edge in a shallow circular trough, and drawn round by a horse. The apples are gradually introduced into the trough.......the expressed juice is put into casks.'

The millstones were made further down the Wye valley from a local hard rock known as puddingstone. When completed, they were loaded onto boats and transported along the river. Some quite literally missed the boat and still lie at the bottom of the river!