Cider Making Course
We are not running any cider making courses this year. Join us for a cider tour & tasting instead — the same orchard, the same cider, in a relaxed half-day experience.
Our cider tours run regularly through the season — small groups, expert guidance, and plenty of tasting.
Important notice
No cider making courses in 2026
We are not running any cider making courses this year. If you were hoping to join a course in 2026, please accept our apologies — we are focusing on our ciders and tours for this season.
The good news: our cider tours and tastings are running as usual. They are the best way to experience the orchard, meet the cider maker, and taste the full range — all in a relaxed half-day visit.
Want to be first to know when 2027 course dates are released? Register your interest and we will email you before we open public bookings.
About the course
What the course looks like when it runs
Here is a look at the course for when it returns in 2027. Save this page, or register your interest above to be notified when new dates are released.
What it looks like
A calm, hands-on day in the orchard: time on the press, at the tanks, and around the tasting table.
Milling & pressing
At the press
Day in the orchard
Tasting & blending
See the course in 60 seconds
A short look at a course day — from welcome and orchard walk through to milling, pressing and the guided tasting.
What you'll do
A simple, end-to-end day that takes you from orchard to bottle — with plenty of time for questions along the way.
- 1
Welcome & sit down
Meet your instructor, settle in with a drink, and run through the plan for the day and basic safety.
- 2
Orchard walk
Head into the orchards to see how we grow and select fruit, and what makes good cider apples.
- 3
Hands-on milling & pressing
Wash, mill and press fruit yourself, using the same equipment we use for our own organic cider.
- 4
Fermentation essentials
Back in the ciderhouse, learn how we manage ferments, from yeast and vessels to monitoring and racking.
- 5
Tasting, blending & take-home
Taste a range of ciders, explore simple blending, and leave with a bottle, notes and a clear process to follow at home.
Alumni outcomes
Past attendees leave with more than a good day out — they go home confident to make their own cider and, in some cases, to launch something bigger.
Emma & Tom
Started their own small-batch cider label
Joined the course to learn the process properly. Six months later they were bottling their first commercial batch.
James
Now confidently making cider at home
Came as a complete beginner and left with a simple process, notes, and the confidence to run his first fermentation.
Sophie
Brings the course as a yearly team day
Uses the course as a hands-on away day — the team mills, presses and blends together, then takes bottles home.
Meet your instructor
Your host, Martin Harris
- • Over a decade making organic cider in Herefordshire
- • Runs a working organic orchard and ciderhouse
- • Regularly featured in tastings and local events
The course is deliberately small and hands-on: expect practical demos, plenty of time on the press, and lots of space for questions. You'll see exactly how we run our small-batch ferments and leave with a clear, repeatable process for home or small-scale production.
What our guests say
“We had a fantastic tour of Butford Organics. Martin showed us round the pressing barn, fermentation room and orchards. They were stunning. Martin has a huge wealth of knowledge and was a very generous host. I highly recommend visiting.”
Richard Ainslie
Tour guest
“Our family enjoyed a wonderful, friendly tour and tasting with Butford Organic's inspiring owner, Martin. Beautiful apple and pear orchards, delicious organic cider and perry quaffed with gusto in the tasting barn!”
Vicky Delderfield
Tour guest
“Had an absolutely fabulous day being taught how to make Cider from Martin of Butford Organics. This was an exceptional course, his lovely wife is partner and both work exceptionally hard but the fruits of their labour is amazing.”
Christel Bosch
Cider making course
“I absolutely love Butford Organics perry. I live locally, and buy a box of it regularly both to keep at home for my family and visitors, but also to gift to friends, especially for festive occasions, and always at Christmas!”
Kate Harding
Local customer
“Martin was a delightful host, very approachable and knowledgeable about his craft. I highly recommend taking their tour, to see centenary plants and the cider mill wheel. Also, thorn perry is enough of a reason to visit Butford Organics.”
Matteo Bianconi
Tour guest
“Janet and Martin are the perfect hosts, we have learned so much about the craft of true cider from them! Their farm, lifestyle and products are a rare gem.”
Betti Szabo
Cider making course
Location
Find us
Butford Farm, Bowley Lane, Bodenham, Hereford HR1 3LG
Phone
07807 333950Free parking on-site
Easy to find with clear signage
Travel time
~20 minutes from Hereford city centre
Weather-friendly
Covered areas available • Tours run in all weather
Accessibility
Mostly flat paths • Toilets on-site • Contact us for specific needs
Course FAQs
The key details people usually ask before booking — without turning the page into a long sales pitch.
Beginners are very welcome. The course is designed for anyone who wants a clear, practical introduction to cider making — from curious enthusiasts and smallholders to people exploring their first small-batch label.
Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes you are happy to wear in the orchard and ciderhouse. We provide aprons and all equipment; you may like to bring a notebook if you prefer handwritten notes.
Tea, coffee and light refreshments are included, along with a guided tasting of our ciders. If you have any dietary requirements, let us know when you reserve your place and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Most of the course takes place on flat ground between the ciderhouse and nearby orchards. There is step-free access to toilets on-site. If you have specific access needs, please contact us before booking and we can talk through the details.
You can reschedule free of charge up to 48 hours before your course date, subject to availability. If we ever need to cancel, you will be offered a full refund or an alternative date.
The course is designed to run in all but the very worst weather. We make use of covered areas around the press and ciderhouse, and adjust the balance of indoor and outdoor time depending on the forecast.
The course typically runs for 4–5 hours including breaks. We begin with a welcome and orchard walk, move into milling and pressing, then cover fermentation essentials before finishing with a guided tasting and Q&A.