Bramley Apples
Bramley’s Seedling is one of Britain’s most famous cooking apples. The National Fruit Collection records it as having been raised by Mary Ann Brailsford in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, between 1809 and 1813, before being introduced in 1865 by nurseryman H. Merryweather. It was first exhibited in 1876, received a First Class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1893, and is described by the National Fruit Collection as the most popular cooking apple grown in the UK.
Bramley’s Seedling is a triploid apple, which is important for orchard planting because triploid apples need two other compatible apple varieties nearby for pollination rather than just one. The RHS lists Bramley’s Seedling in pollination group 3(T) and gives its season of use as November to March.
It is especially valued as a cooking apple because of its strong acidity and reliable culinary qualities. Including Bramley’s Seedling in a community orchard gives residents a chance to enjoy a classic British variety that has been part of traditional kitchens for generations.
At a glance
- Type: Culinary apple
- Origin: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, between 1809 and 1813
- Raised by: Mary Ann Brailsford
- Introduced by: H. Merryweather in 1865
- Special feature: Triploid; needs two compatible pollination partners
- Season of use: November to March