Cider Making Course
We have run courses here at Butford Farm since 2010 with a break during covid years. We have thouroughly enjoyed running the courses. During this time we have met a great number of cider enthusiasts and hope we have helped them on their cider making journey. However, with other commitements which limit the time we have available we have reluctantly decided we can no longer offer our courses. We will continue to host tours and tastings which include discussion on how we make our cider and perry. More details of how you can book can be found on the cider tour page.
Get Hands-On and Master the Art of Cider Making
Spend half a day on our organic farm, learning the secrets of transforming fresh apples into delicious cider. With small groups of just four participants, you’ll get hands-on experience at every step, from pressing the fruit to fermenting the final brew. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with new skills and a deeper appreciation for the craft of cider making.
Course Benefits
Hands-On Learning
Get your hands dirty and learn by doing. Perfect for all experience levels, this course allows you to engage directly with the cider-making process, ensuring you gain practical skills that stick.Expert Guidance
Learn from seasoned cider makers who are passionate about their craft. Receive personal feedback and tips to ensure your cider is as delicious as possible.Comprehensive Knowledge
Gain a deep understanding of the entire cider-making process—from apple selection and pressing to fermentation and bottling. You'll leave with knowledge and skills to make cider confidently at home.Fun and Social Experience
Connect with other cider enthusiasts in a fun, relaxed environment. Our in-person classes are a great way to meet new people, share a laugh, and make lasting memories.Exclusive Recipes and Techniques
Learn the techniques professional cider makers use to craft unique, high-quality ciders. Gain insider tips that go beyond the basics, giving you skills you won't find in typical tutorials or books.Taste and Take Home
Enjoy tasting different ciders during the class and leave with a bottle of your very own handcrafted cider. Savor the fruits of your labor and share them with friends and family.
The owner was very informative, friendly and answered all of our questions. Our children loved the apple juice, said was the best they had ever tasted! The cider and Perry were a hit with the adults as well! Would definitely recommend.
Spent an enjoyable day with a knowledgeable and friendly owner and guide showing us the process of cider and perry making, seeing the orchards and tasting outside in the farmyard.
Great visit. Very informative. Martin was very friendly and tailored our afternoon as a potential producer to exactly what we needed. And the perry is fabulous!
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 39 reviews from google
Take a sneak peek at the course
What to expect during cider making
Join Waitlist for Your Place1. Welcome Sit Down
To start you will be taken through the fundamentals of cider making starting with an explanation of different apple types, varieties, trees, and the production of cider.
2. Orchard Walk
A walk through our two orchards linking up the trees and apple varieties we have with the earlier talks.
3. Experience hands-on milling
You'll operate our milling equipment to grind the apples into a fine pulp, learning the importance of consistency and texture in preparing the apples for pressing.
4. Master the pressing process
Utilize our classic apple press to extract juice, observing how layers of apple pulp are skillfully wrapped and stacked before the press is activated, yielding fresh cider.
5. Bottle and take home
After pressing, you’ll collect up to 25 liters of fresh apple juice, which we’ll help you prepare to transport home, where you can continue the fermentation process to craft your own cider. The course concludes with an informative discussion covering topics like the production of perry (pear cider), the necessary equipment for cider making at home, and an overview of the legal aspects related to cider production and distribution.
For a more detailed guide of how we do it check out our cider making process page.
Cider Making Course Application
Please complete the form below to join the waitlist for our 2025 cider-making courses. We will be reviewing the program for next year and more details will be available to those who complete this. Fill in your details below.
Features
- Half day cider making course
- Groups sizes of up to 3
- Cider you have made to take away
- Cider Making Booklet
200+
Participants In Total
30+
Courses Run
39+
5 Star Reviews
2
Cider Makers Setup
Your Instructors
Martin Harris
Martin is the head of the operation and has been making cider at Butford Organics for over 20 years. All Cider’s and Perry’s are masterminded by him.
Janet Harris
Janet has been helping to make cider for just as long.
Have any questions?
When will the cider making course be available, and how can I reserve my spot?
We hope to provide Courses in the autumn 2025 and full details will be available by summer next year.
What is included in the £80 course fee?
The fee covers a comprehensive cider making experience, including detailed explanations, apple sorting, milling, pressing, fermentation, and bottling processes. It also includes a tasting session and cider that you can take home. All necessary equipment and materials are provided, and you’ll receive hands-on training from our experienced cider makers. Food is not provided.
Do I need any prior experience in cider making to join?
No prior experience is necessary! Our course is designed for both beginners and cider enthusiasts. We provide step-by-step guidance through each stage of the cider making process, making it a fun and informative experience for everyone.
Are there any age restrictions for participating?
Yes, due to the nature of the course, which includes cider tasting, participants must be 18 years or older. We ask that all participants bring a valid ID on the day of the course for age verification.