
But the traditional are getting overwhelmed and one producers stands out as a big British success , and that is Thatchers Cider. Still family run (for over 100 years) they are based just a few miles from Cheddar, on the North side of the Mendip Hills and indeed if you cycle the Strawberry Line you'll find a section passes through and along the edge of their extensive home orchards (thanks to Thatcher's providing a critical off-road link for the route). They do a great range of ciders, and perry's (from pears and not apples), bottled and draft, and some single varietal ciders from single apple types (and not blends). You can sample of of this if you care to pop by the "cider shop" at Myrtle Farm in Sandford (a minute or two off the Strawberry Line).

Of course a delightful way to support Thatchers is by sampling one of their ciders: either in the local pubs, or by taking a bottle of two back to Gorge View Cottage to enjoy in the sun.