COTEHELE’S bumper apple harvest has begun earlier than expected after the summer’s extreme heat caused fruit to fall from the trees weeks ahead of schedule.

The National Trust estate near Saltash is preparing for its popular Apple Weekend on September 12 and 13, with visitors invited to pick, taste and learn about more than 100 traditional West Country apple varieties.

Cotehele’s ‘Mother Orchard’, in the heart of the Tamar Valley, produced its best harvest on record last year, but staff had been concerned about the impact of this summer’s prolonged dry and hot weather on the trees.

However, the estate has bucked the wider trend, with Head Gardener Dave Bouch describing the current crop as a “great apple harvest”.

He said the temperate climate of the Tamar Valley had helped the orchard withstand the hot summer.

The extreme conditions have nevertheless had an impact, with apples dropping from the trees much earlier than usual.

Mr Bouch said the early windfalls were an effect of the heat “shocking” the trees, but added that the fallen fruit was ideal for cider making.

Cotehele is now hoping visitors will help gather some of the windfalls to make its Mother Orchard Cider, with profits supporting the garden team and helping maintain the estate’s orchards.

Apple Weekend will feature tastings of rare and historic varieties, orchard tours, wildflower meadow sessions and harvest activities for visitors of all ages.

Senior Gardener James Davis said there was still plenty of fruit available despite the yield being slightly lower than last year’s bumper crop.

Pick Your Own Apples will also run from September 12 to 15, with visitors able to bring their own bags or buy paper and reusable sacks on site.

Apple Weekend runs from 11am to 4pm on September 12 and 13. Normal admission applies, with free entry for National Trust members.