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.

OVER 115 YEARS AND COUNTING...

  • 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 BORN

    Stan 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 ARRIVED

    Cider 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 TREE

    At 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 ERA

    After 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 LAUNCHED

    Thousands 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 EXPANDS

    We 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 FAMILY

    She’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 WORLDWIDE

    Thatchers 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 FAMILY

    Another 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 ROSÉ

    We 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 Font

    First 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 future

    Even after 119 years we’re looking to the future building a sustainable cider business for this generation and the next.

OVER 115 YEARS AND COUNTING...

  • 1904

    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!

  • 1910

    STANLEY THATCHER WAS BORN

    Stan 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 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.

  • 1951

    OUR FIRST HYDRAULIC PRESS ARRIVED

    Cider production increased and family back strains decreased!

  • 1970

    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.

  • 1973

    MARTIN THATCHER PLANTED HIS FIRST TREE

    At 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 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.

  • 1984

    END OF AN ERA

    After 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 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.

  • 1993

    OPEN DAYS LAUNCHED

    Thousands 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 FARM

    A unique celebration of dedication to the craft across four generations – and more on the way!

  • 2007

    THE FARM SHOP EXPANDS

    We 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 FAMILY

    She’s currently Head of Orchard Watch.

  • 2014

    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.

  • 2015

    FANS WORLDWIDE

    Thatchers Gold spreads its international wings to Australia. We now sell our cider in over 20 countries worldwide.

  • 2015

    HAZE JOINS THE FAMILY

    Our 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 FAMILY

    Another family tradition maintained. Eleanor Thatcher passed her tractor driving test at 16.

  • 2018

    OUR CIDER TRUCK HITS THE ROADS

    Featuring a fully functioning bar we started popping up at events around the country.

  • 2019

    LIFE IS ROSÉ

    We 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 Font

    First of its kind, three flavours one tap. Fusion is now pouring in over 1,000 pubs and bars across the UK.

  • 2022

    Blood Orange

    Bursting with flavour and sweetness, Thatchers Blood Orange was the most successful new cider launch of 2022.

  • 2024

    Looking to the future

    Even 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.

Visit Myrtle Farm

Where the juicy apples grow BOOK NOW

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.