Hidden within the orchards at Three Counties Showground is one of Britain’s most important collections of rare trees – Perry pears. A unique group of pear varieties cultivated not for standard consumption but for producing perry – a traditional sparkling alcoholic drink. Although not as widely known as cider, perry has been made in Britain for centuries and is created using fermented pear juice, resulting in a light refreshing floral and fruity drink. These distinctive trees, often giant, have shaped the landscapes, farming traditions and cultural heritage of the Three Counties – Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire for hundreds of years.
Today, many historic perry pear varieties are at risk as traditional orchards disappear, due to development and changing agricultural practice and the need for careful cultivation of the trees. Some survive in only a small number of locations, making their preservation especially important.
A Perry Pear Rescue Project was first launched in 1991 by Charles Martell, a Gloucestershire dairy farmer and cheese maker. Charles became the driving force behind the revival of a collection of perry pears across the three counties. He scoured farms locating old and rare varieties and by 1998 over 59 varieties had been planted around the Three Counties showground in Malvern. That same year the collection gained national collection status, The National Collection of Perry Pears. Long-term support from fellow perry enthusiast Jim Chapman has also been central to the collection’s success. Since the 1990s, Jim has helped curate and promote the collection at the showground, while also creating two further important collections at Hartpury.
The Three Counties Agricultural Society is working to preserve its National Collection of Perry Pears for future generations. In 2025 and 2026 the Society received a total of £20,723 through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. FiPL is a government-funded scheme supported by Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) and delivered locally through the Malvern Hills National Landscape. The funding has supported work to restore and enhance the historic orchards, improve public information and continue preservation of the unique heritage of perry making. New FiPL funding has been secured for 2026/7 to build on the momentum achieved.
The national collection currently has more than 250 trees, over 115 different varieties of perry pear, following the planting of over 100 additional trees in 2025 and 2026 with the support of the grant funding. The trees include many rare local varieties that are becoming increasingly difficult to find elsewhere. Advanced DNA testing is used to identify, protect and conserve each variety for the future and is a powerful way to resolve historical naming and strengthen the scientific value of the trees.
“This conservation project has been growing for more than 30 years, and we’re proud to be building on the remarkable work of Charles Martell, Jim Chapman and the many volunteers who have helped protect our region’s unique orchard heritage. Traditional orchards are increasingly recognised for their biodiversity, sustainability and cultural value. By caring for these collections, we’re preserving rare fruit varieties, supporting rural skills and inspiring future generations; work that sits at the heart of the society’s charitable objectives.”
Helen Williams, Fundraising Manager at Three Counties Agricultural Society
Funding from the society not only supports the orchards but the growers too, helping them maintain and pass on their specialist knowledge. It also provides educational activities that raise public awareness and appreciation of the orchards, and the environment and historical importance, while promoting them as valuable landscape and biodiversity assets.
As well as improvements and restoration work to the orchard there are new opportunities for visitors to learn about the region’s unique orchard heritage. Members of the public can access parts of the collection at the showground along a public footpath and can explore the sister collection in its entirety at Hartpury (nationalperrypearcentre.org.uk). Public education will be extended to a wider audience at Malvern Autumn Show through an enhanced Orchard and Hopyard Pavilion, including a varied programme of talks, pressing demonstrations and orchard tours for visitors. The Perry Orchard Tour and Tasting experience can be booked now (Buy Tickets – Malvern Autumn Show). Local craft perry can also be tasted and purchased at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and Royal Three Counties Show. Future work includes expanding the guided orchard tours and creating new ways for visitors to experience this unique part of the region’s agricultural heritage.
The Three Counties Agricultural Society continues to welcome support to help maintain and develop the collection as a place for conservation, education and community engagement.
 | Donations can be made through www.threecounties.co.uk/agricultural-society/make-a-donation/ |
