A popular hotel has planted dozens of apple trees with the aim of producing its very own house cider.
The Upper House, in Barlaston, hopes the 35 trees planted on a fallow four-acre field will produce enough to make around 6,000 litres of cider once mature. This will be exclusively sold at the venue.
It is part of several eco-friendly initiatives the venue is taking to up its green credentials and reduce its carbon footprint.
Director Paul Williams said: “Cider seemed a logical step on from brewing beer, which we have tried without much success.
“All the production will be sold at the Upper House to maintain its uniqueness, and margin on cost.
“We are using the fallow four-acre field we have below the hotel adjoining the footpath to the Downs Banks. This works well with its Southwest aspect and little shading which will help the apples ripen.
“The orchard will be attractive in the spring when all the trees blossom and so will enhance the views we have over the Trent Valley.
“We are hoping to experiment with the crop after about five years as you want the energy to go into tree growth to get them well established initially.”
Thirteen varieties of apples have been planted including traditional bittersweet and sharp ones such as Kingstone Black and Chisel Jersey alongside sweeter types like Red Falstaff and Ashmeads Kernel.
Some red juicing varieties such as Red Devil and Roberts Red have been included to give a ‘rose’ look to the cider.
Other eco-friendly initiatives at the historic hotel include the installation of air source heat pumps and solar panels.
Bamboo toilet paper and tissues, eco-friendly slippers and new table linens that have reduced laundry by a third have all been introduced recently.
The venue also plants wildflowers and hedges, has equipped its woodlands with bird boxes and feeders and aims to work with local Scouts to create ‘bug hotels’ in the gardens.
And a donation is made through Hotels for Trees for a tree to be planted whenever a guest opts out of room cleaning during their stay.
Paul added: “Reducing our carbon footprint is essential for protecting our hotel and grounds and ensuring a healthier future for our team, guests and community.
“The commitment aligns with our values and enhances the guest experience, as many of our guests are seeking environmentally conscious venues. By achieving sustainability certifications, like our current bronze rating from Green Tourism, we aim to inspire others in the hospitality industry to adopt similar practices.”
The hotel team aspires to achieve silver and, ultimately, gold ratings from Green Tourism within the next two to three years.
The Upper House was built in 1845 for Josiah Wedgwood’s grandson Francis and his wife who wanted to escape the pollution that had developed around Etruria Hall, where the Wedgwood factory was based at the time.
Famous visitors over the years include Charles Darwin and Garibaldi.
As a house, the property has also been home to the Johnson family, also of the pottery industry, and has been used as a council residential home for the elderly, which closed around 1990.
It was bought from the county council in 1994 and has since been converted into a luxury character property hosting weddings, other functions and events as well as diners at the restaurant.
