This spring, we teamed up with our friends at the North York Moors Trust to plant the beginnings of a heritage orchard.
At Rounton Coffee, we believe that good business should support the people and places that sustain us. That's why we're proud to be part of 1% for the Planet - and why this heritage orchard project with the North York Moors Trust felt like the perfect way to give back to the landscape we call home.
Planting the Seeds of Heritage
With the help of James and his team, we spent a day planting a line of fruit trees along the popular Hole of Horcum Trail in the North York Moors National Park.
A Taste of Local History
Among the trees planted were the Hunt House Apple from Goathland, Yorkshire Greening Apple, Ribston Pippin Apple, and the Ryedale Bullace. These species were selected due to their resilience to local climate and soil conditions, as well as their historical and cultural significance.
The Hunt House Apple has a particularly interesting story. It once sailed with Captain James Cook and his crew to keep them healthy on their long voyages departing from Whitby. Now, it’s back where it belongs growing in the soils of North Yorkshire.
For Future Generations to Enjoy
Beyond its beauty, this orchard will provide a vital boost to biodiversity in the area by providing a valuable habitat for all sorts of wildlife and pollinators whilst also storing carbon and improving soil health.
The orchard will also help preserve local fruit varieties for future generations to enjoy. Walkers exploring the area in late summer and early autumn will be able to pick fruit knowing they’re tasting a piece of local history.
See It for Yourself
We’re incredibly proud to have helped bring this orchard to life, and we’re deeply grateful to the North York Moors Trust for their vision and dedication in making it happen.
Projects like this remind us that meaningful change often begins much closer to home than we realise — with small acts of care, community, and connection to the land.
Next time you find yourself in the North York Moors, be sure to take a walk along the Hole of Horcum Trail and see the orchard for yourself. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to enjoy an apple fresh from one of the trees.