The orchard is over 80 years old and includes 11 pears, 8 apples, mulberry, some plums. All the trees are full standard. There are 3 younger pears and a quince planted in 2016.
Varieties onsite include: Blenheim Orange, Bramley, Ribston Pippin, Conference, Calebasse Bosc, Pershore plum, Lord Suffield and Millers Seedling.
Hainault Secret Orchard Tour 2016
Where can you find it: Hainault Lodge Nature Reserve, Chigwell IG7 4QW
Nearest underground station: Hainault
Can I visit: Yes
Orchard Owner & Carer: Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, London Borough of Redbridge
Varieties onsite include: Blenheim Orange, Bramley, Ribston Pippin, Conference, Calebasse Bosc, Pershore plum, Lord Suffield and Millers Seedling,
History of the Orchard
Hainault Lodge was built in 1851; during WWII it housed officers from RAF Fairlop; after the war it became an annexe of Oldchurch Hospital. It became derelict and was demolished in 1973. In 1990 local conservation volunteers started to clear the overgrown undergrowth and cut paths and it became Redbridge’s only nature reserve.
Hainault Winter Restoration Workshop 2017
Biodiversity Highlights & Habitat
The veteran fruit trees are themselves a biodiversity feature as they are a valuable habitat. The nature reserve is an important site for yellow-necked mice (Apodemus favicollis) and Great crested newts. A survey carried out for The Mammal Society found plentiful woodmice and bank voles onsite.
Community Around the Orchard
The site is maintained by Redbridge Conservation Volunteers through regular work days.
Hainault Orchard Volunteers 2016
Apples for Cider
Last year, Hainault Orchard swapped 25kg of apples for our Local Fox Cider and Juice. FInd out more about our budding new social enterprise here.
Hainault Apple Harvest 2016