Discover the Best Apple Juice in South West England: Five Unique Varieties from Druce’s Juices
- donnadruce
- May 20
- 5 min read
At Druce’s Juices, we’re proud to handcraft some of the most distinctive and delicious apple juice available in South West England. Made using rare and heritage English apple varieties, each bottle reflects our commitment to sustainability, local sourcing, and traditional techniques. In this blog, we’re highlighting five special types of apple juice we produce — all grown, pressed, and bottled with care here in the South West.
Table of Contents
Grenadier Apple Juice
The Grenadier apple is one of the earliest-ripening varieties in the English orchard calendar and a true herald of apple season. This pale green cooking apple has long been valued for its high juice content and clean, tart flavour — perfect for producing a bright and invigorating apple juice.
At Druce’s Juices, we harvest Grenadier apples at the peak of ripeness to ensure their naturally sharp, slightly lemony tang shines through in every bottle. The resulting juice is pale and delicately cloudy, with a refreshing acidity that makes it a popular choice for those who enjoy a crisp, dry profile. Because it’s a relatively rare variety in commercial production, our Grenadier apple juice offers a truly artisanal and locally rooted experience — a taste of South West England’s early harvest tradition.
Bramley’s Seedling Apple Juice
Synonymous with English orchards, the Bramley’s Seedling apple is a national treasure — and it makes an exceptional apple juice. First grown in the early 1800s, this iconic culinary apple is prized for its bold, tangy flavour and firm texture, which soften beautifully during juicing.
Our Bramley juice delivers a mouthwatering balance of tartness and natural sweetness, offering a bold yet refined taste experience. It’s particularly popular with customers who enjoy a sharper juice that feels wholesome and energising. This variety’s high acidity and strong apple aroma also mean it holds its flavour extremely well, making it an ideal year-round option. We love its unapologetically punchy character — a real taste of tradition from the orchards of South West England.
Arthur Turner Apple Juice
The Arthur Turner apple is something of a hidden gem among English heritage varieties. Developed in the late 19th century and known for its reliability in colder climates, Arthur Turner produces large, pale green apples with a slightly pink blush. While it was once a staple in home orchards, it’s now rarely found outside traditional farms — making it a special part of our apple juice range.
Arthur Turner apple juice is smooth and balanced, with a mellow acidity and gentle sweetness. It has a soft, rounded mouthfeel and subtle floral undertones that make it especially drinkable — a perfect all-rounder for the whole family. We’re proud to bring this lesser-known variety back into the spotlight, offering our customers a flavour that’s nostalgic, comforting, and uniquely English.
Howgate Wonder Apple Juice
As its name suggests, the Howgate Wonder is a real showstopper. This impressive apple was developed in the 20th century as a cross between Blenheim Orange and Newton Wonder, two heavyweights in the heritage apple world. Known for its very large size and long keeping quality, Howgate Wonder produces a rich, generous apple juice that lives up to its extraordinary lineage.
The juice from Howgate Wonder apples is golden-hued and naturally full-bodied, with a slightly spicy depth and gentle sweetness that make it feel like a warm hug in a bottle. It’s particularly suited to autumn and winter, offering a comforting richness that pairs beautifully with hearty breakfasts or fireside sipping. This is a juice with character — bold, layered, and unmistakably home-grown in South West England.
Charles Ross Apple Juice
The Charles Ross apple brings elegance and charm to our apple juice collection. Bred in Berkshire in the late 1800s, this attractive apple is a cross between Cox’s Orange Pippin and Peasgood’s Nonsuch — two varieties known for their flavour complexity and aromatic notes.
Charles Ross apples yield a juice that is light, fragrant, and subtly sweet with hints of honey and pear. The finish is smooth and clean, making it a refreshing option that appeals to both traditional and modern palates. It’s one of our more delicately flavoured juices, perfect for slow sipping or pairing with cheese and charcuterie. If you're looking to explore a lesser-known, gently sophisticated variety, Charles Ross is a beautiful introduction to the world of single-variety apple juices.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Druce’s Juices. Our orchards in South West England haven’t seen a chemical spray in over 30 years. Instead, we nurture biodiversity by allowing nettles for insects, spacing trees for airflow, and encouraging wildlife through habitat-friendly practices.
Our packaging is designed with the environment in mind:
Reusable bottles
Cardboard labels (reducing plastic waste)
Recyclable lids
Apple pomace fed to local pigs
Even our storage crates are vintage, dating back to pre-1971! When you buy our apple juice, you’re supporting a truly sustainable and circular local business.
More Than Just Apple Juice
In addition to our award-worthy apple juice, we also produce raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar packed full of acetic acid, bacteria, and beneficial nutrients.
We also offer small-batch, seasonal fruit and berry juices rich in vitamins — ideal for those looking for something a little different.
And if you have your own apples, don’t forget about our apple pressing service — ideal for turning a garden glut into golden juice.
FAQ
Do you deliver your apple juice across the UK?
We deliver locally in the South West of England. Please check our delivery area before placing an order or contact us directly.
Where can I buy your apple juice?
You can buy directly from us at the Bath Farmers' Market, through various local stockists, or via our online shop.
Are your bottles returnable?
Yes! We encourage customers to return bottles where possible so we can clean and reuse them, reducing waste.
Can I get juice made from my own apples?
Absolutely. Visit our apple pressing page for full details and how to book.
What makes your apple juice different?
We use only hand-graded, single-variety, locally sourced English apples. Our juices are pasteurised using expert methods passed down from industry pioneer Keith Goverd.
Key Takeaway
Whether you’re after a tart kick, floral notes, or a smooth classic, Druce’s Juices has a variety of apple juice to suit every palate. All made here in South West England with sustainability, tradition, and quality in every bottle.
👉 To place an order, ask a question or enquire about our apple pressing service, contact us here. We’d love to hear from you!
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