Their story
Bennett's Cider has been made at Chestnut Farm in Edithmead, near Highbridge, since William and Catherine Bennett moved there in 1850, making it one of the oldest farmhouse cider makers still working in Somerset. The business has passed through six generations of the same family: Tom Bennett modernised production with an electric mill and a hydraulic press, and his son Viv later expanded the orchards and entered the cider into local competitions. Duncan Bennett now runs the farm with his wife Catherine. Cider is still made from apples grown in the farm's own two orchards, mostly old traditional varieties over 50 years old, topped up with fruit from neighbouring growers when needed. Alongside cider, the farm keeps cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and bees.
Two orchards on the farm, with trees mostly over 50 years old, supply most of the apples; more is bought from neighbouring growers, and any surplus fruit goes to the farm's livestock.
Apples and pears they nameDabinett, Michelin, Browns, Morgan Sweet
What they make
- Dry draught, matured in oak whisky barrels
- Medium draught, matured in oak whisky barrels
- Vintage draught, matured in oak whisky barrels
Visiting
Farm sales at Chestnut Farm
Opening times, as they publish them: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-1pm
Working farm, so staff aren't always available during opening hours; the farm also runs a caravan site.
Where to buy
- At the farm or cidery When open
No online shop found; cider is sold direct from the farm in 2.5 and 5 litre containers, gallon demijohns, and 10 and 20 litre bag-in-box, or in customers' own containers