Their story
Fair Oak Cider is made on a farm in the Golden Valley, Herefordshire, in a 17th-century stone mill and press restored to working order in 2012 after standing derelict for around a century. It is the only horse-drawn cider mill in the country still operating commercially: a Gypsy Cob (Tommy, working since 2017, following an earlier horse named Pye) turns the mill. Traditional cider varieties such as Brown's Apple and Dabinett come from small orchards across the Golden Valley; they are milled, pressed through hessian in the time-honoured manner, and fermented through winter and spring with regular racking. 2024 marked ten years of horse-powered cider making at the farm.
Fruit is picked from small orchards around the Golden Valley rather than one named estate orchard; specific acreage is not published.
Apples and pears they nameBrown's Apple, Dabinett
What they make
- Fair Oak Sweet Cider 500ml
- Fair Oak Medium Cider 500ml
- Fair Oak Medium Dry Cider 500ml
- Fair Oak Barrel-Aged Cider introduced 2023
- Fair Oak Sparkling Cider 75cl
- Fair Oak Cider Brandy distilled
Visiting
Opening times, as they publish them: Tastings and sales by appointment only, plus published open weekends (e.g. National Mills Weekend and an October open weekend, 25-26 October 2025)
Tastings: Yes.
Tours. The horse-powered mill is run for visitors at occasional open weekends (including National Mills Weekend); otherwise tastings and sales are by appointment only. No published price.
Where to buy
- At the farm or cidery When open
- The Cider Museum, Hereford Stockist
- Fodder, Hereford Stockist
- Castle Greengrocers, Hay-on-Wye Stockist
- Pengethley Farm Shop, Ross-on-Wye Stockist
- Deli Tinto, Presteigne Stockist
No online shop found; buy by appointment at the farm or through stockists.
Their events
Occasional open weekends when the horse-drawn mill is run for visitors, including a National Mills Weekend event and an October open weekend (25-26 October 2025).
Recent awards
- Prize, Single Variety class (Brown's Apple cider), International Cider and Perry Competition 2025