There is no shortage of great events to get out and about to at this time of year. We’ve shortlisted some of the best events of summer 2016, in some of our favourite places within reach of Apple County. They also all happen to be great occasions to enjoy a lovely cool cider when you’re there…
1. Hay Festival
26 May – 5 June
Starting the summer on a literary high-note, this border town of book shops (and some great pubs too) becomes a hot destination for the great and the good every year in May/June. The festival was once dubbed ‘Woodstock of the Mind’ by Bill Clinton. And this annual meeting of minds certainly has impact, sending ideas buzzing all around the world. But man cannot leave by books alone. So our top tip is the the pop-up, sit-down festival restaurant ‘Graze’ run by Chef Colin Gray. Gray knows a thing or two about serving the best of Welsh food. Apple County Cider was on the drinks list!
2. Welsh Cider and Perry Festival
27 – 30 May
There is no better place to get into your summer cider mind-set than at the Welsh Cider and Perry festival held in the atmospheric setting of Caldicott Castle near Chepstow. Read our write-up of this year’s festival.
3. Euro 2016
No, not a Welsh event but we make no excuse for including this highlight of 2016. It’s not every year that you get to cheer the Welsh football team to the Semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship! The Wales team proved that with hard work, passion and teamwork you can get a long way. We’re sure that their inspiring performance will prove a memorable highlight of 2016 for many years to come.
4. The Royal Welsh Show
18 – 21 July
This historic agriculture show, remains a strong Welsh institution. It started in 1904 and is still going strong! These days it attracts almost a quarter of a million visitors over the 4 day show. That’s equivalent to almost 1 in every 12 men, women and children in Wales attending! The competition in the livestock classes remains fierce with over 7000 animals exhibited. But the show is just as important as a showcase for Welsh food and drink.
This year The Royal Welsh Show was an absolute scorcher. Ben braved the soring temperatures in the The Food Hall to fly the flag for Apple County Cider.
5. Starry Skies
27 – 31 July
Less than 10 miles upriver from Apple County in Monnow Valley is an intimate family camping festival, where the kids roam free. The beauty of this festival is small scale and dedication to outdoor family fun.
6. Eisteddfod
29 July – 6 August
One Welsh event that can claim longer history than the Royal Welsh Show is The National Eisteddfod. This celebration of culture: music, dance, art, literature and language in Wales has been pitching up the ‘Maes’ in different venues around wales every year since 1861.
This year it is coming to our local town of Abergavenny for the first time in over 100 years. Of course in Apple County, no celebration of Welsh culture would be complete without a good Welsh cider. So come and find us at the Made in Monmouthshire tent down by the river.
7. Greenman Festival
18 – 21 August
The Brecon Beacon’s own independent music and arts festival is small enough to stay true to its ethical, independent stance but large enough to attract some great headliners. With Belle & Sebastian, James Blake, and Laura Marling among many other acts this year. Plus enjoy beer and cider from an exclusive list of 22 independent breweries and cider makers. Including Apple County!
We feel spoilt for choice for fantastic summer events – these top 7 are the pick of a very big crop. But despite all these great attractions, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to enjoy a lovely cool cider than on our home turf in Apple County. They’re harvesting blackcurrants on the farm at the moment which is the mark of high summer for us. Francis is enthralled by the big blue blackcurrant harvesting machine. On hot days, the River Monnow beckons for a paddle or a swim and Skenfrith Castle walls provide welcome shade for a picnic.
We love welcoming visitors that come from near and far over the summer months for a cellar door tasting and to visit our cider shop in the barn. So whether you’re on your way to one of these great Welsh events this Summer or just fancy a day out in beautiful countryside in search of some lovely cider, do stop by!