Welsh Cider Open Weekend

Gwynt Y Ddraig, the Welsh Cider & Perry Company will be opening the doors of their farm to the public again this weekend, although this time the weekend will feature live music and as such there will be a small charge of £5 per person per day, although this does include a pint or bottle of cider.
 On entry your hand will be stamped (different colour stamp for Saturday & Sunday) to indicate to bar staff and site security that you have entered the event via the main entrance.

Earlier this year, Gwynt won the International Cidermaker of the Year Award, so expect some excellent ciders and perries at the event this weekend.

According to Gwynt Cider, Visitors are welcome to camp over on the Saturday night but please note that the only facilities available are the portable toilets. If you are camping and plan to stay for the Sunday then please make this known to the staff on the gate so you can purchase the appropriate tickets for both days. (This will be a Saturday ticket and a Sunday ticket.) Please note that all campers will be visited on the Sunday morning just to ensure that they have purchased their Sunday ticket.

For those of you who attended the April open day you’ll remember that it was a tad busy so if you are planning to come we’d advise you to arive earlier rather than later, as if the numbers get too many we’ll have to stop letting people in as numbers are restricted… just to warn you, but hopefully it won’t come to that.

Please note that entry to anyone under the age of 18 is free but only with an accompanying adult and under 18s will therefore will not be supplied with an entry ticket or have the entry stamp applied to their hand. Anyone attempting to purchase an entry ticket but is lucky enough to appear to be under the age of 18 will be asked to produce photo ID.

This summers’ open days will once again cover our usual theme but due to an overhaul of our cider press, unfortunately it’s unlikely that we will be able to provide you with a demonstration of apple milling and pressing with our modern belt press over the weekend. This work is essential for us to ensure we have a trouble free 2010 Autumn, as we will be processing over 400 tonnes of cider apples and pears. Instead, however, we are going to take a step back in time and show you how we used to do it by winding up our 19th Century double screw press – pictured below (we will be using a modern mill).

Freshly prepared food will be available throughout the weekend from Cegin Crincae, Thomas Baguettes, La Creperie de Sophie, pasties and pastries from in a pickle.

A selection of music will be played over the weekend with Saturday revealing a number of local bands (including Plod, 3d Binge and Tetris Prime), then on the Sunday we present The Mangled Wurzels along with Ross Kirk. It’s going to be a great weekend!

Opening hours:
11-2100 on the Saturday 7th, 12-1900 on Sunday 8th August 2010

Gwynt y Ddraig Ciders Limited
Llest Farm
Llantwit Fardre
CF38 2PW
Tel: +44 (0)1443 209 852
Google Map:

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The farm is easily reached by public transport from Pontypridd or Talbot Green. Alternatively catch the bus from outside the Otley Arms after alighting from the railway station. Llest Farm is signposted from the main road and parking is available at the farm. Llest Farm is situated a short distance uphill from the main road and is about halfway between the Crown and Bush pubs, the entrance road is signposted and adjacent to an old chapel.

From Brew Wales