Orchard

May 2024

The orchard is bounded by dry stone walls from the Treehouse Field, the Front Garden and the road. Its layout has not changed significantly since the 1860s, with a path around the open areas and fruit trees in the centres:

1860

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1st edition 1860 OS map

First edition OS map showing Rudchester Orchard

Composite Map

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Composite

OS map on the current aerial photograph showing a laregly unchanged layout of the orchard

2023 Aerial Photograph

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2023 Aerial Photograph

Aerial photograph highlighting the orchard

The orchard was clearly a kitchen garden in the early 20th Century, as shown in the old aerial photographs. There are neatly espaliered apply and pear trees along the North retaiing wall, with vegetable beds aranged in rows. The apple trees in the lawned area are still there today

Orchard 1950s Aerial photograph

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Orchard 1950s Aerial photograph

Probably earlier than 1964 as the Virginia Creeper is less extensive

Early 20th Century aerial photograph

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Early 20th Century aerial photograph

Aerial photograph showing Rudchester Orchard

2002 Photograph

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2002 Photograph

Our first photograph of the Orchard

The orchard through the saesons.

Orchard Winter 2004

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Orchard Winter 2004

The Orchard covered in snow

Orchard Spring 2011

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Orchard Spring 2011

The Orchard in early Spring

Orchard Summer 2007

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Orchard Summer 2007

The Orchard in full blossom in early Summer

Cyclone Ulli hit the UK on 3 January 2012 and was the costliest disaster in January 2012 globally. It brought brought down trees in Rudchester, including an old apple tree and part of one of the line of yews.