In partnership with the Barking & Dagenham Park Rangers, we're off to visit Brogdale Collections, home of the National Fruit Collection; for a tour of the collection and to learn about their various fruit trees growing and being shared with communities around the UK. On the tour, we'll hear about this incredible organisation, and learning about planting fruit trees... before we attempt to plant our own orchard with the Park Rangers at Eastbrookend Country Park. This FREE coach trip is available to families and is suitable for ages 4+. Spaces are limited: To enquire, email Cam on cam@companydrinks.info. She will email you to confirm your space or let you know you're on the waiting list.
Brogdale Collections is a charity working to provide access and education about the National Fruit Collection to the public. It was established as a charity to work with the curator chosen by DEFRA. Brogdale Collections has managed visitor access to the NFC in partnership with the University of Reading, since the start of their curation in 2008. The Charity offers a range of opportunities for the public to use the collections as an educational resource including Daily Guided Tours (April – November), Fruit Days, Festivals and Key Stage 1 & 2 Education Days.
Brogdale Collections is the home of the National Fruit Collection and works to provided access and education about the National Fruit Collection. Set in over 150 acres of farmland, we have over 4000 varieties of fruit trees here from apples, pears, quinces and plums to cherries and more. The Collections orchards are a living history & heritage of fruit.
Brogdale Collections offer the public access to affordable fruit identification service with our fruit expert.
Self-guided tours are available any time of the day or year, you can spend as much time as you like wandering the pathways, enjoying the countryside and discovering the fruits cycle from blossom to fruit and frost.
Explore history, heritage and orchard treasures on a guided tour led by one of our expert guides who will also guide you through the flavours of the collection with fruit tastings in season and answer any question you have on the fruit, trees or the collection.
Guided tours run April – October x3 times a day.
Your Orchard Pass ticket lasts a whole year enabling you to visit Brogdale from frost to blossom and bountiful fruit, the whole beautiful cycle.
Brogdale Annual Pass – All Events holders receive unlimited walks and tours all year round FREE entry to a year of festivals & events, FREE vehicle entry to Bedgbury Pinetum, FREE half term kids activities, Members only walks, talks and fruit tastings plus a seasonal newsletter full of offers, FAQs and more.
NEW FOR 2017 educational Weather Station and coming in 2018 World Music Garden & Garden for Wildlife provide interactive education aimed at understanding our weather & climate , insects & their place in nature and interactive music engagement.
Brogdale Collections also host a busy year of festivals and fun, starting with our Japanese celebration of blossom – Hanami Festival to the first fruit of the season with Strawberry and Cherry fair followed our famous Cider and Apple Festivals at the end of the year. These run alongside our popular children’s educational Beastie and Wildlife Days.
Key stage 1 & 2 education days run all year long provided children’s with access to the orchards and a day of learning, discovery and more to suit subject curriculums and modules.
Alongside this Brogdale Collections offer a range of rural courses and education including fruit tree grafting and pruning courses, wild food forging, cider making and orchard design.
