Join us for a magical mid-winter celebration as New Forest Cider hosts its annual Wassail an age-old rural tradition to bless the orchard and encourage a bountiful apple harvest in the year to come.
Wassailing dates back centuries and was once a vital part of village life across cider-making regions. Communities would gather with lanterns, music and hearty food, visiting the oldest apple tree to sing to it, toast it, and scare away any lingering spirits with pots, pans and joyful noise. The aim? To wake the trees from their winter slumber and ensure a rich crop of apples for cider pressing in the year ahead.
This year, we are delighted to be celebrating in association with The New Forest Green Man, whose passion for folklore, woodland heritage and ancient seasonal customs brings an added depth and authenticity to the occasion. Their presence helps root the ceremony in the traditions of the Forest, honouring the spirits of nature, the turning of the year and the deep connection between people, land and tree.
As dusk falls, join the Wassail procession from 4.30pm, complete with song, lanterns and the traditional orchard ceremony led with their support. Afterward, warm yourself by the fire with a homemade chilli (meat or veggie) and a mulled cider or apple juice, all included in your ticket.
From 7.30pm, enjoy live music from Trav Cats, keeping spirits high well into the evening. Expect a lively, atmospheric night filled with community, stories, music and a touch of winter magic among the apple trees.