If you visited Castleton Farm for our cherry blossom tours this spring, you got a glimpse of where the magic begins.
For a few short weeks, the orchards were filled with delicate white blossom, attracting visitors to enjoy coffee, cake and afternoon tea beneath the trees. But beautiful as the blossom is, it’s really just the start of the story.
Now comes the main event.
From late July through to mid-September, those blossoms transform into glossy, sweet, juicy cherries, ready to be picked at the peak of their flavour. It’s one of the most anticipated moments in our farming calendar and, for many visitors, one of the tastiest.
The cherry season only lasts around eight weeks, making it one of the shortest and most special fruit seasons of the year. Unlike fruit that’s available all year round, fresh Scottish cherries have a brief window when they’re at their absolute best.
And Castleton cherries have something else going for them too. They arrive just when British cherry lovers need them most, helping to fill what growers call the “cherry gap”.
What is the cherry gap?
Most British cherries are grown further south, with orchards in Kent, Herefordshire and the Midlands producing fruit throughout the summer.
By the time many of those harvests are starting to wind down, Scotland is only just getting started.
In fact, our cherries are being harvested when there aren’t any others available anywhere – so we’re helping to fill that “cherry gap”.
Thanks to our cooler climate and later growing season, Scottish cherries arrive exactly when they’re needed. They help keep British-grown cherries on shelves during August and September, long after many English orchards have finished producing fruit.
In fact, Scotland plays an important role in extending the British cherry season, giving shoppers the chance to continue enjoying home-grown cherries rather than relying on imports.
Why are Scottish cherries so special?
Scotland’s long summer days and cooler temperatures allow cherries to ripen more slowly.
That extra time on the tree helps develop the flavour, sweetness and texture that cherry lovers are looking for. The result is a fruit that’s rich, juicy and packed with character.
It’s one of the reasons Scottish cherries have become such a sought-after seasonal treat.
And because our season runs so late, Castleton Farm is still harvesting while cherry seasons in England, North America and many other growing regions are coming to an end.
We’re among only a handful of growers still picking fresh cherries well into September.
The Castleton cherry story
Although Castleton Farm is best known for its strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, cherry-growing has been an important part of our story for more than 15 years.
We planted our first cherry trees in 2010, making us one of Scotland’s early commercial cherry growers. Today, we grow cherries across 66 acres, with the fruit protected under polytunnels to help ensure quality throughout the season.
We currently grow a range of varieties, including:
- Sweetheart – wonderfully sweet with a hint of acidity
- Lapins – large, juicy and mild
- Penny – firm, dark and full of flavour
- Kordia – deep-coloured, sweet and beautifully juicy
- Final Cerasina – a late-ripening variety that helps extend the season even further
Each has its own personality, but they all share the same Castleton quality.
From blossom to harvest
If you’ve visited Castleton Farm in spring, you may already have walked among the cherry blossom.
Every year we open the farm for cherry blossom experiences, inviting visitors to enjoy coffee, scones and afternoon tea beneath the blossom. It’s a chance to celebrate one of the most beautiful moments in the farming calendar.
Fast forward a few months and those delicate blossoms have become the glossy red cherries that arrive in our farm shop.
And if you’re enjoying lunch or coffee in our café conservatory, you can look out across the fruit tunnels and see the very place they’re grown.
There’s something special about eating fruit while looking at the fields it came from.
Enjoy them while you can
The best thing about cherries is also the hardest thing about cherries: they don’t hang around.
Their short season is part of what makes them such a treat.
So when you’re visiting Castleton Farm this summer, be sure to pick up a punnet while they’re in season. Eat them straight from the punnet, share them with friends, or try them in one of our favourite cherry recipes.
Just don’t leave it too late.
Because before you know it, the cherry gap will be filled, the harvest will be over, and we’ll all be waiting for next year’s blossom once again. 🍒
The Q&A
When are Castleton cherries in season?
Castleton cherries are harvested from late July through to mid-September, giving them one of the latest growing seasons in the northern hemisphere. The season only lasts around eight weeks, so they’re a genuine limited-edition taste of summer.
What is the “cherry gap”?
The cherry gap is the period when many cherry growers have finished harvesting but demand for cherries remains high. Scottish growers help fill that gap, keeping home-grown cherries available during August and September and reducing the need for imported fruit.
Why are Scottish cherries so special?
Scotland’s cooler climate and long daylight hours allow cherries to ripen slowly. That extra time on the tree helps develop sweetness, flavour and texture, producing beautifully juicy fruit with a rich taste.
How long has Castleton Farm been growing cherries?
Castleton Farm planted its first cherry trees in 2010, making it one of Scotland’s early commercial cherry orchards. Today, cherries are an important part of the farm’s soft fruit story alongside strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.
How many cherries does Castleton Farm grow?
Castleton Farm grows cherries across 66 acres and is part of Scotland’s growing cherry industry. Scotland produces around 10% of Britain’s cherry crop and plays a crucial role in extending the UK season into late summer.
How many cherries are eaten in the UK?
Between April and September, people in the UK consume around 16,000 tonnes of sweet cherries. British growers are expected to produce around 8,000 tonnes, with Scottish growers helping supply the final weeks of the season.
What varieties of cherries does Castleton Farm grow?
We grow a range of varieties and are always trialling out new ones. Five of our most delicious are: Sweetheart, Lapins, Penny, Kordia and Final Cerasina. Each variety has its own flavour profile, from dark and intensely sweet to firm, juicy and wonderfully late-ripening.
Can I buy Castleton cherries at the farm?
Yes. During the season, Castleton cherries are available from our farm shop, and visitors can enjoy the unique experience of seeing the fruit tunnels from the café conservatory while tasting fruit grown just a few metres away.
Why should I buy local cherries?
Buying local cherries means fresher fruit, fewer food miles and support for Scottish farming. It also helps sustain a growing British cherry industry that has been making a remarkable comeback after decades of decline.
Are cherries good for you?
Yes. Cherries contain fibre and antioxidants, and research has linked them to benefits including helping reduce inflammation and supporting recovery after exercise. They’re also a naturally delicious way to enjoy seasonal fruit.
