Their story
Headless Cross Community Orchard is a volunteer-run community orchard on Headless Cross Drive in Redditch, on a site cleared of shops and houses in the 1970s that then lay derelict until local campaigners defeated a redevelopment proposal in 1998. Community volunteers began planting in the winter of 2009/10, with the first 20 trees sponsored by local businesses and residents; it now grows around 14 named Worcestershire varieties of apple, pear and plum. It is not a commercial cider producer: volunteers press and ferment cider from the orchard's own fruit for the group's cider bar at its public events, and run an annual cider competition among the results. The orchard has since worked with local schools and community groups to help plant further orchards nearby.
The orchard itself, on a reclaimed plot at Headless Cross, Redditch, planted from winter 2009/10 onwards with around 14 named traditional Worcestershire varieties of apple (including Redditch Doddin, Tupstones and King Coffee), pear and plum.
Apples and pears they nameRedditch Doddin, Tupstones, King Coffee
What they make
- Orchard cider made by volunteers from orchard fruit; served at events, not sold commercially
Visiting
Tastings: Yes. Barbecue, cider bar and food/craft stalls at its Apple Day event. No shop or day-to-day public access; the orchard is open to visitors at its three annual events. Contact details are on their website.
Where to buy
- From the maker, when open Headless Cross, Redditch
Their events
Runs three free public events a year: a Wassail in early January (torchlit procession, Morris dancing and a ceremony at the orchard's old apple tree, with cider and apple juice for all), a May Fayre on May Day, and an Apple Day in October with apple pressing, a volunteer-run cider bar, a cider competition, live music and stalls (Apple Day 2025 held 18 October).