Description
The Cider Museum, which opened to the public in 1981, is an independent Charitable Trust, and was created through the efforts of Mr. Bertram Bulmer, when he retired as chairman of H.P.Bulmer Ltd., the largest cidermaker in the world. The collection of machinery and other cidermaking equipment, advertising material, photographs and newspaper cuttings from 1760, has grown to some 26,000 items.
The Museum is designed to look at the whole cidermaking industry worldwide, from its earliest beginnings through to the mass production methods which exist today. Unique in the United Kingdom, the Cider Museum is the only registered museum devoted entirely to cider and perry-making.
On of the Museum's special features is the King Offa Distillery. Mr. Bertram Bulmer obtained a licence in 1984 from HM Customs & Excise to distil cider, the first such licence granted in this country for over 200 years. The distillery is a working exhibit which produces Cider Brandy, Apple Aperitif and Cider Liqueur all of which are on sale in the Museum Shop. These products are widely distributed and Cider Brandy in particular is considered a drink for the connoisseur.
A programme of activities and temporary exhibitions is arranged throughout the year. There are cidermaking and coopering demonstrations and a Beekeeping weekend.
A walk through the Museum will reveal the story of traditional cider and perry-making which once was carried out on most farms in Herefordshire and adjoining counties. Learn how the apples and pears were harvested, milled, pressed, and how the resulting juice was fermented to produce cider and perry. Our reconstructed farm ciderhouse contains a complete set of travelling cidermakers 'tack'. Some of the exhibits were used on farms in cidermaking districts up to 300 years ago. The story of the Truck Act which allowed cider to be paid as part of agricultural workers' wages is recorded and the affliction known as 'Devonshire Colic' is revealed in reality as lead poisoning - contamination from the lead linings in some of the casks and machinery.
On display are copies of the famous 'Herefordshire Pomonas'. These books illustrate many cider apples and perry pears grown from earliest times to the present day. Continue through to the original Champagne cellars with their racks of bottles where the 'methode Champagnoise' (a bottle fermentation process used in the French Champagne production) was first applied to cider in 1905. The hydraulic presses, Vat House and bottling machinery date from the late 19th Century and our coopers' workshop displays tools similar to those used by coopers over four centuries, and still in use today.
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Collections
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Public access available to collections information
Disability Access
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Children and Families
Baby changing facilities
Events and resources for children and families
General Education
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Loan service
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Schools Education
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Facilities
Library with public access
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Research facilities for academics
Shop
Study facilities
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