Yes, there are real working cider farms within driving distance of Bath, though none sit inside the city itself. The closest is Thatchers at Myrtle Farm in Sandford, near Winscombe, about 26 miles and a 44-minute drive from Bath. Further into Somerset you'll find Burrow Hill near Kingsbury Episcopi and Sheppy's near Taunton, both well-established cider makers that run tours and tastings.
Why Somerset is cider country
Somerset has been a major cider-apple growing region for centuries, and the farms around it range from small single-site producers to Thatchers, one of the best-known family cider makers in the country. None of the farms below are in Bath itself, since the city's setting is more Georgian townhouse than orchard, but they're close enough to make a reasonable half-day or full-day trip.
Thatchers, Myrtle Farm (Sandford, near Winscombe)
Thatchers is the closest major cider producer to Bath, based in the village of Sandford in North Somerset. It's a family-owned business with a visitor offering that includes tours of the orchard and production site, usually run on set days of the week, with a guided tasting included. It's about 26 miles from Bath and roughly a 44-minute drive, making it the most straightforward cider-farm day trip if you don't want to go much further into Somerset. Book tours in advance, since they run on a set schedule rather than casual walk-ins.
Burrow Hill (Kingsbury Episcopi)
Burrow Hill, near Kingsbury Episcopi in South Somerset, is a longstanding cider and cider brandy producer with its own orchards and distillery on site. It runs guided tours and tastings, generally by advance booking, covering both the orchards and the production side. It's a longer drive than Thatchers, since it sits further south into Somerset, so it suits a trip where cider is the main plan for the day rather than a quick stop.
Sheppy's (near Taunton)
Sheppy's is another well-established Somerset cider farm, with tours that take in the orchards, the press house and the vat house, finishing with a guided tasting. It's the furthest of the three from Bath, close to Taunton, so it's realistically a full day out rather than an add-on to something else nearby.
Planning your visit
- Book ahead: All three run tours on a schedule rather than on demand, so check each farm's own site and book before you set off.
- Driving is the practical option: None of these farms are realistically reachable by public transport from Bath in reasonable time, so plan on driving.
- Combine with the wider area: If you're heading out to Somerset cider country anyway, our day trips from Bath guide covers other stops in the same general direction.
- Prices change: Tour and tasting prices vary and shift over time, so confirm current pricing directly with each farm rather than relying on an old figure.
At a glance
| Thatchers | Burrow Hill | Sheppy's | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Sandford, near Winscombe | Kingsbury Episcopi | Near Taunton |
| Distance from Bath | ~26 miles (~44 min drive) | Further south, longer drive | Furthest of the three |
| What's included | Orchard and production tour, tasting | Orchard and distillery tour, tasting | Orchard, press house, vat house, tasting |
| Booking | Set tour days, book ahead | Advance booking | Advance booking |
| Best for | A straightforward half-day trip | A dedicated cider-focused day out | A full day out near Taunton |
FAQs
Is there a cider farm near Bath? Not inside Bath itself, but Thatchers at Myrtle Farm in Sandford, near Winscombe, is the closest, at about 26 miles and a 44-minute drive.
Can you do a cider farm tour near Bath without a car? It's difficult. None of the main Somerset cider farms are realistically reachable from Bath by public transport in reasonable time, so driving is the practical option.
Do you need to book a cider farm tour in advance? Yes. Thatchers, Burrow Hill and Sheppy's all run tours on a set schedule rather than casual walk-ins, so book ahead through each farm's own site.
Which cider farm near Bath is easiest for a half-day trip? Thatchers, since it's the closest at roughly 26 miles and 44 minutes' drive, making it realistic to combine with a half-day out rather than needing a full day.
Do these cider farms include a tasting? Yes, all three include a guided tasting as part of their standard tour, alongside a look at the orchards and production areas.
Is Burrow Hill or Sheppy's better for a full day out? Both work well as a full day out since they're a longer drive from Bath than Thatchers; the choice comes down to which route into Somerset suits your plans, since Burrow Hill and Sheppy's sit in different parts of the county.