Their story
Perry's Cider has been made at Dowlish Wake, near Ilminster, since 1920, when William Churchill started it as a sideline to his blacksmith's business, now the company office. The apples come from the farm's own orchards, including one at nearby Knowle St Giles. All pressing, fermenting and bottling happens on site. Perry's is known for single-variety ciders made from Redstreak and Dabinett apples, alongside a barrel-matured Vintage blend. The site combines a cider mill and tasting room with a farm shop and cafe, and the company describes itself as a "free thinking craft cider" maker using wild yeasts and 100% juice rather than concentrate.
Around 34 acres of orchards with more than 8,000 trees (a 2022 figure from the maker), mostly Redstreak and Dabinett, including an orchard at Knowle St Giles.
Apples and pears they nameRedstreak, Dabinett, Porter's Perfection
What they make
- Redstreak dry, single variety, sparkling, 6.1%
- Dabinett medium sweet, single variety, 5.6%
- Vintage medium, barrel-matured then blended with Dabinett, 6.2%
- Single Orchard Cider sweet, still, Redstreak and Dabinett blend from Knowle St Giles orchard
- Grey Heron lighter core-range cider, 4.5%
- Morgan core-range cider, 6.0%
Visiting
Farm shop selling local food, drink, gifts and art
Opening times, as they publish them: Mon-Fri 9.15am-5pm, Sat and bank holidays 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun 10am-1pm; open every day except 25-26 Dec and 1 Jan
Tastings: Yes. Cafe, Mon-Sat 10am-3pm (booking advised) and Sun 10am-1pm, serving brunch, lunches and cakes; wood-fired pizza on some Sundays. Dogs are allowed in the cafe but not the farm shop, except assistance dogs. Ask the farm about guided tours.
Where to buy
- Online, direct from the maker perryscider.co.uk
- At the farm or cidery When open
Their events
Runs its own Somerset Wassail, and a Barrel and Bloom festival for Somerset Day, alongside regular wood-fired pizza and cider bar events.