Their story
Newton Court Cider has been run by the Stephens family since 1991, when Tom and Ann Stephens decided to convert their Herefordshire farm to organic production and press their own cider and perry rather than sell apples wholesale. Their son Paul later joined the business, bringing agricultural engineering experience and formal cider-making training. The farm now covers 157 acres of organic land at Newton, near Leominster, and has built a purpose-built visitor centre with a restaurant, cafe, farm shop and tour hub overlooking its orchards. Its range includes the flagship Gasping Goose cider and Panting Partridge perry, alongside oak-matured Farmhouse Scrumpy, a keeved Black Mountain cider and Herefordshire apple juice. In 2024 it won Visit Herefordshire's New Business of the Year award for its visitor centre.
157 acres of organic farmland at Newton, near Leominster, growing cider and dessert apples; specific tree ages and variety names are not published.
What they make
- Gasping Goose flagship cider, 5.8% ABV
- Panting Partridge flagship perry, 5.3% ABV
- First Press eating-apple cider, 4.8% ABV
- Farmhouse Scrumpy oak-matured, 7.4% ABV
- Black Mountain keeved cider, 5.0% ABV
- Tinker Tom higher strength cider, 8.2% ABV
Visiting
Farm shop within the purpose-built visitor centre at Newton, alongside a restaurant, cafe and bar that doubles as the cider tap
Opening times, as they publish them: Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm; Sunday 9.30am to 3.30pm
Restaurant and coffee shop serving breakfasts, brunches, lunches, snacks and cakes, overlooking the orchards; Sunday lunch is bookable. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. The visitor centre also operates as an exclusive-hire event venue.
Tours. Cider tours run every Friday afternoon at 1.15pm, booked through the online shop. They last about an hour to an hour and a quarter, and are followed by a ploughman's lunch with tasting. Other dates can be arranged for large groups.
Where to buy
- Online, direct from the maker newtoncourtcider.com
- At the farm or cidery When open
Also runs a trade and wholesale channel; formats include bottles, flagons, bag-in-box and kegs.
Their events
Recurring Pizza Fridays through spring, summer and autumn, an annual Harvest Feast, and October half-term activities; for 2026 published as Pizza Fridays 27 March to 3 October, Harvest Feast on 3 October, and half-term activities 24 October to 1 November.
Recent awards
- Visit Herefordshire New Business of the Year 2024 (for its visitor centre)