Save the Date: Apple Day is Back!
Apple Day is back and Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust are pleased to be involved as a collection point, bringing you 2 exciting opportunities to be part of this amazing city wide initiative. Watch this space for reminder posts in late summer!
Apple Day 2025
Apple Day celebrates the local Bristol apple harvest and promotes sustainability by collecting apples that might otherwise go unused. Donated apples will be pressed into juice at the University Botanic Garden on the 5th October, fermented into cider, and bottled by The Cider Box, supporting public engagement, community spirit, and circular economy initiatives.
Anyone donating apples on the day will receive free entry to the garden, experience the apple pressing, and have the chance to enjoy some freshly squeezed apple juice. In 2026 they will be able to redeem the apples they donated in the form of cider.
How It Works
Collect your apples.
Prepare the apples: Give them a quick rinse to remove any dirt. Slight bruising is acceptable, but please avoid any rotten or partially rotten apples—if you wouldn’t eat it, we can’t press it.
Drop-off during the first week of October at one of our community hubs (including the Hub in Lockleaze) or on Apple Day (5 October) directly at the Botanic Garden. Apple donors will receive free event entry to the garden.
Get a reward: For every 5 kg of apples donated, you will receive a voucher for one bottle of cider, redeemable at The Cider Box Taproom in April 2026.
Sustainable use of waste: All leftover apple pomace will be donated for animal feed.
Apple Donation Guidelines
Any variety of apple is suitable.
Apples should be picked as close as possible to the donation date.
They must be free from rot or mould.
Washed or wiped clean if visibly dirty.
Slight bruising is acceptable.
For those who have early varieties please store your apples carefully (there’s lots of advice online) so you can take part in this amazing project too.
Community Hub Drop-Off Points
Apples can be dropped off during the first week of October 2025 at the following proposed locations:
Bramble Farm, Knowle
Hillfields Community Garden
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust Drop off on Friday 3rd Oct between 11-4.15pm
Apples will be collected from each site and transported by one of our volunteers to the Botanic Garden ahead of the event.
Pressing at the Botanic Garden
The apple pressing will take place on Sunday, 5 October 2025, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm at the Botanic Garden.