Welcome to
Horfield Organic Community Orchard
growing fruit, community, learning, and wellbeing since 1998
Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) is an inspiring, pioneering, local food project that put down roots 28 years ago on an allotment site behind HMP Bristol. The orchard is home to more than 80 different fruiting trees. It was planned to show that local grown fruit can be eaten and enjoyed all year round.
HOCO is a grassroots example of resilience in a world living with climate chaos. We are adapting the ways we care for our trees to meet serious challenges to food production now, and for the future. Do you care about the future of food growing? Join us as a Friend of the Orchard to support our work. Join us as a Harvest-share member and take action with others on the ground.
HOCO hosts pruning and fruit tree care courses, offers workshops and training for members, and taster sessions at events. Hands-on learning activities are developed and led by Shannon Smith, an experienced orchard grower and community educator. Find out more: Orchard Learning 2026
Drought, heat and a plague of grubs
– all change for Apple Day
Our 2026 harvest has been devastated. Our Tasting Table will be empty. Fruit is falling from the tree months before it’s ripe. Bland and buggy fruit produces juice with no flavour. Some trees are dying. This Apple Day we are organising a community climate resilience event.
Climate Emergency!
Apple Day
Climate & Nature Orchard Action Event*
Sunday 18 October, 2pm to 5pm
Do you have skills, knowledge, and time to share?
We are planning talks, walks, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
Get in touch to help co-create a local community-based action event for climate, nature and food resilience.
*Booking opens early October
Contact us for advance booking information
Lucky enough to have surplus fruit to donate for juicing before the event?
We’d love to hear from you!
Growing Season Fruit Tree Pruning courses
Is your tree all leaf and no fruit? Does it crop every other year? It is an easy-to-manage size? Growing season pruning can help all these conditions.
Pruning Fruit Trees in the Growing Season – an introduction
- Growing Season Pruning for Beginners: Saturday 1 August – fully booked
- Extra date added!
- Growing Season Pruning for Beginners: Sunday 9 August
- Late Growing Season Pruning for Beginners: Sunday 13 September
Pruning Fruit Trees in the Growing Season – for Improvers
- Growing Season Pruning for Improvers: Sunday 2 August
Places are limited and must be booked in advance.
Fees are discounted for HOCO members.
Find out more: Orchard Learning 2026
Know your apples?
The Apple Tree Lady is available to identify mystery apples when the fruit is in season. She is offering the service for a £10 donation (for each variety). Donations are for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), and/or HOCO. Use this form to Ask the Apple Tree Lady to eye-d mystery apples
