The beginnings...

The Millennium Orchard was the idea of the East Yorkshire Federation of Women's Institutes and was first thought of in 1998; by 2000 the first apple trees were planted.

The Women's Institutes of East Yorkshire raised funds for the apple trees, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council provided a prime site for the trees to thrive, here at Beverley Parks. The Northern Fruit Group cast an expert eye to provide assistance with species choice, planting, pruning and management.

The orchard was created to celebrate the millennium and it is hoped that it is still in existence for the next millennium. Its aim is to conserve traditional northern apple varieties, provide a focal point to celebrate National Apple Day and to demonstrate traditional orchard management.

Some of the apple varieties thriving today include Yorkshire Beauty, Yorkshire Aromatic, Keswick Codling, Galloway Pippin, Stirling Castle, Cockpit, Dogsnout and Bloody Ploughman which dates back to about 1880. It was named after a ploughman who was caught stealing the apples and was promptly shot by a gamekeeper!

The Fillingham Pippin originates from Swanland and the Hornsea Herring (above), Beverley Pippin and Arram White are particularly rare. Their preservation is of primary importance and both are currently thriving at the reserve.

The Millennium Orchard is believed to be one of the largest, non-commercial orchards of northern varieties in England.