Where is cider made in England?
Cider is made across England, but the traditional heartland is the West Country and the West Midlands: Somerset, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Cider is also made in Kent and other counties outside the West Country. Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire ciders have protected (PGI) status.
Updated
Key facts
- The West Country style. BJCP's 2025 guidelines describe English cider as "a regional product originating in the West Country, a group of counties in the southwest of England", made from bittersweet and bittersharp apples. [1]
- Protected county ciders. Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Cider are PGIs. [2] [3] [4]
- What the PGI requires. The product specification describes a traditional cider made from locally grown cider apples, with up to 25% perry pear juice allowed, at 4.0–8.5% ABV. [5]
- Not every English cider is West Country style. BJCP notes that some cider from England fits its Heirloom Cider style instead. [1]
Which English counties have the most cider makers?
Counted by cider makers listed on Cider Radar (as of 2026-10-02):
| County | Makers listed |
|---|---|
| Somerset | 41 |
| Herefordshire | 30 |
| Devon | 18 |
| Kent | 13 |
| Dorset | 12 |
| Cornwall | 12 |
| Gloucestershire | 8 |
| Greater London | 6 |
| Worcestershire | 4 |
These are catalogue counts, not production volumes. Cider is also made in Wales, where Traditional Welsh Cider is a PGI. [6]
Can you visit cider makers in England?
Yes. Herefordshire's tourism board publishes three circular Cider Circuits, in the north, south and west of the county, which can be driven or cycled and pass producers such as Dunkertons, Oliver's and Gregg's Pit. It advises calling ahead to check opening times. [7] In Hereford, the Museum of Cider is housed in the original 1888 factory where Bulmers began. [7] For buying at the farm or online, see where to buy craft cider in the UK.
Related answers: where to buy craft cider in the UK · French vs English cider · what counts as cider in UK law
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in the United Kingdom: 275 makers (as of 2026-10-02), browsable by county.
- Counties: Somerset · Herefordshire · Devon · Kent · Worcestershire
- Guide: English cider style
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider and perry are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly; in the UK it is against the law to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.
Questions
What is West Country cider?
BJCP describes English cider as a regional product from the West Country, made from bittersweet and bittersharp apples, higher in tannin and lower in acidity than common cider. [1]
Sources
- 2025 Cider Style Guidelines: C1 Traditional Cider — BJCP
- Herefordshire Cider (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Gloucestershire Cider (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Worcestershire Cider (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Protected food name specification: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Cider (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Traditional Welsh Cider (PGI) — Defra (GOV.UK)
- Cider Circuits — Visit Herefordshire