THE SOMERSET
CIDER MAKERS
Thatchers cider has been made on Myrtle Farm since 1904.
Four generations dedicated to our craft. With a fifth generation waiting in the wings. There’s been a lot of change over the years. But one thing remains constant: cider making is our pride and joy.
-
WILLIAM THATCHER BEGAN CIDER MAKING AT MYRTLE FARM
William’s cider was so good his farm workers enjoyed it as part of their wages. His workers had a reputation for being ‘the best around’. Today we still have the best – although they don’t get paid in cider!
1904
-
1910
STANLEY THATCHER WAS BORNStan followed in his father’s footsteps but took the art of blending draught farmhouse cider to new depths of flavour. Stan was a true cider pioneer, bringing in new technologies and cider making techniques, and understanding the relationship between soil, climate and apple varieties.
-
THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
When Stan took over the business, he and his wife Mollie began to build the business together. He began to sell cider to many of the local pubs, and shared a pint (or two) with visitors to his farm shop. Stan was a friend to everyone, and loved listening to people telling stories.
1940
-
1951
OUR FIRST HYDRAULIC PRESS ARRIVEDCider production increased and family back strains decreased!
-
JOHN THATCHER TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS
He expanded the orchards and the number of presses. Officially he’s now retired, but his love for cider making is undiminished and he’s always on-hand for a bit of ‘quality control’. Our Exhibition Orchard containing 458 apple varieties is testament to his passion for the best.
1970
-
1973
MARTIN THATCHER PLANTED HIS FIRST TREEAt just 5 years old he must have done a good job as the tree is still standing. And the next generation, Eleanor and Peter, have taken up the mission.
-
OLD OAK VATS FIND A NEW HOME
Our 150 year old vats take up their new home on the farm and are moved into our vat shed. A ripe old age you might say, but perfect for maturing our Somerset cider.
1981
-
1984
END OF AN ERAAfter 80 years as a working animal farm the last of the livestock moved to pastures new. This made room for more orchards, more apples, and more varieties.
-
MARTIN TOOK OVER FROM HIS FATHER
And he’s still in charge today. His vision encompasses everything on the farm, from the orchards to bottling – from production capability to sustainability.
1992
-
1993
OPEN DAYS LAUNCHEDThousands of people have now enjoyed visiting our home, Myrtle Farm just at the foot of the Mendip Hills. They’ve experienced how we craft our ciders, toured the mill and orchards and done a little tasting. Well, of course!
-
THE CENTENARY OF CIDER MAKING AT MYRTLE FARM
A unique celebration of dedication to the craft across four generations – and more on the way!
2004
-
2007
THE FARM SHOP EXPANDSWe expanded the shop so we could start selling lots of other lovely local produce, as well as more of our own delicious cider. Stop by and visit us if you’re ever in the area and try before you buy.
-
Thatchers’ very first television advert was launched. And we were lucky enough to purchase a further 180 acres of orchard at Shiplate, a stunningly beautiful spot overlooking the Bristol Channel.
2010
-
2013
MYRTLE THE DOG JOINS THE FAMILYShe’s currently Head of Orchard Watch.
-
A TASTE INNOVATION
Our 458 limited edition cider was a first – crafted from each variety of apple grown in our special Exhibition Orchard. There’s no other collection of apples grown for cider in one orchard like this anywhere in the world.
2014
-
2015
FANS WORLDWIDEThatchers Gold spreads its international wings to Australia. We now sell our cider in over 20 countries worldwide.
-
HAZE JOINS THE FAMILY
Our knowledge of apple varieties once again shines through with Thatchers Haze which launched for the first time.
2015
-
2015
WE OPEN OUR VERY OWN PUB!The Railway Inn reopens its doors as a Thatchers pub to the village of Sandford after a stunning new look.
-
We used our knowledge of apples to create something a little different here at Myrtle Farm – Orchard Cut Apple Gin and Family Reserve.
2016
-
2016
RUNNING IN THE FAMILYAnother family tradition maintained. Eleanor Thatcher passed her tractor driving test at 16.
-
OUR CIDER TRUCK HITS THE ROADS
Featuring a fully functioning bar we started popping up at events around the country.
2018
-
2019
LIFE IS ROSÉWe launched our Rosé cider –the biggest apple cider brand launch of 2019 and a delight to those who prefer a fruitier apple pint from Thatchers.
-
OUR PASSION FOR INNOVATION CONTINUES…
The launch of Thatchers Cloudy Lemon is another success story. And sustainable production enables us to save 20 million plastic rings a year.
2020
-
2021
Fusion FontFirst of its kind, three flavours one tap. Fusion is now pouring in over 1,000 pubs and bars across the UK.
-
Blood Orange
Bursting with flavour and sweetness, Thatchers Blood Orange was the most successful new cider launch of 2022.
2022
-
2024
Looking to the futureEven after 119 years we’re looking to the future building a sustainable cider business for this generation and the next.
-
1904
WILLIAM THATCHER BEGAN CIDER MAKING AT MYRTLE FARMWilliam’s cider was so good his farm workers enjoyed it as part of their wages. His workers had a reputation for being ‘the best around’. Today we still have the best – although they don’t get paid in cider!
-
1910
STANLEY THATCHER WAS BORNStan followed in his father’s footsteps but took the art of blending draught farmhouse cider to new depths of flavour. Stan was a true cider pioneer, bringing in new technologies and cider making techniques, and understanding the relationship between soil, climate and apple varieties.
-
1940
THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIPWhen Stan took over the business, he and his wife Mollie began to build the business together. He began to sell cider to many of the local pubs, and shared a pint (or two) with visitors to his farm shop. Stan was a friend to everyone, and loved listening to people telling stories.
-
1951
OUR FIRST HYDRAULIC PRESS ARRIVEDCider production increased and family back strains decreased!
-
1970
JOHN THATCHER TOOK OVER THE BUSINESSHe expanded the orchards and the number of presses. Officially he’s now retired, but his love for cider making is undiminished and he’s always on-hand for a bit of ‘quality control’. Our Exhibition Orchard containing 458 apple varieties is testament to his passion for the best.
-
1973
MARTIN THATCHER PLANTED HIS FIRST TREEAt just 5 years old he must have done a good job as the tree is still standing. And the next generation, Eleanor and Peter, have taken up the mission.
-
1981
OLD OAK VATS FIND A NEW HOMEOur 150 year old vats take up their new home on the farm and are moved into our vat shed. A ripe old age you might say, but perfect for maturing our Somerset cider.
-
1984
END OF AN ERAAfter 80 years as a working animal farm the last of the livestock moved to pastures new. This made room for more orchards, more apples, and more varieties.
-
1992
MARTIN TOOK OVER FROM HIS FATHERAnd he’s still in charge today. His vision encompasses everything on the farm, from the orchards to bottling – from production capability to sustainability.
-
1993
OPEN DAYS LAUNCHEDThousands of people have now enjoyed visiting our home, Myrtle Farm just at the foot of the Mendip Hills. They’ve experienced how we craft our ciders, toured the mill and orchards and done a little tasting. Well, of course!
-
2004
THE CENTENARY OF CIDER MAKING AT MYRTLE FARMA unique celebration of dedication to the craft across four generations – and more on the way!
-
2007
THE FARM SHOP EXPANDSWe expanded the shop so we could start selling lots of other lovely local produce, as well as more of our own delicious cider. Stop by and visit us if you’re ever in the area and try before you buy.
-
2010
Thatchers’ very first television advert was launched. And we were lucky enough to purchase a further 180 acres of orchard at Shiplate, a stunningly beautiful spot overlooking the Bristol Channel.
-
2013
MYRTLE THE DOG JOINS THE FAMILYShe’s currently Head of Orchard Watch.
-
2014
A TASTE INNOVATIONOur 458 limited edition cider was a first – crafted from each variety of apple grown in our special Exhibition Orchard. There’s no other collection of apples grown for cider in one orchard like this anywhere in the world.
-
2015
FANS WORLDWIDEThatchers Gold spreads its international wings to Australia. We now sell our cider in over 20 countries worldwide.
-
2015
HAZE JOINS THE FAMILYOur knowledge of apple varieties once again shines through with Thatchers Haze which launched for the first time.
-
2015
WE OPEN OUR VERY OWN PUB!The Railway Inn reopens its doors as a Thatchers pub to the village of Sandford after a stunning new look.
-
2016
We used our knowledge of apples to create something a little different here at Myrtle Farm – Orchard Cut Apple Gin and Family Reserve.
-
2016
RUNNING IN THE FAMILYAnother family tradition maintained. Eleanor Thatcher passed her tractor driving test at 16.
-
2018
OUR CIDER TRUCK HITS THE ROADSFeaturing a fully functioning bar we started popping up at events around the country.
-
2019
LIFE IS ROSÉWe launched our Rosé cider –the biggest apple cider brand launch of 2019 and a delight to those who prefer a fruitier apple pint from Thatchers.
-
2020
OUR PASSION FOR INNOVATION CONTINUES…The launch of Thatchers Cloudy Lemon is another success story. And sustainable production enables us to save 20 million plastic rings a year.
-
2021
Fusion FontFirst of its kind, three flavours one tap. Fusion is now pouring in over 1,000 pubs and bars across the UK.
-
2022
Blood OrangeBursting with flavour and sweetness, Thatchers Blood Orange was the most successful new cider launch of 2022.
-
2024
Looking to the futureEven after 119 years we’re looking to the future building a sustainable cider business for this generation and the next.
FAMILY ALBUM
THE FAMILY FARM
Myrtle Farm has been home to Thatchers Cider for four generations. Five hundred acres of the finest apple-growing soil around, and all set in the rolling hills of Somerset.
When we say it’s a family farm, we mean it. That’s why we care about everything that happens here – from the welcome we give visitors from all over the world to looking after our local friends… the bees.
THE CAT’S OUT OF THE BAG
Over the years, we’ve discovered a thing or two about creating the best cider. But there’s no point in trying to keep a secret around these parts. So here’s a few that have escaped.