Domestic nutteries were a regular feature from at least the sixteenth century, with cultivated varieties of hazel as well as the native species. Although they were a means of adding extra food to the table at a time when many households were largely self-sufficient, they could also be decorative. Hazel was the most commonly grown nut tree, but Sweet Chestnut and Walnut were also grown. Almonds were only grown in sheltered and more southerly gardens.They’d been brought in by the Romans but their cultivation has been a bit hit and miss in Britain. For those early riders you’ll find a full English breakfast, eggs Royale, avocado on toast, bacon roll and buttered toast with jam. Almonds are pollinated by insects; hazel, walnut and sweet chestnut are wind pollinated. If you have a windy garden, and are growing the nuts together in a nuttery setting, then providing shelter such as a windbreak is important to ensure a good harvest. Peach leaf curl is another problem, due to the close relationship, so be sure not to plant almonds and peaches near each other.

Notgrove itself lies in the heart of the Cotswolds, only 4 miles from Northleach, famed for its magnificent church of St Peter and St Paul which is claimed to be the “Cathedral of the Cotswolds”. Nearby, the River Windrush flows through the centre of Bourton-on-the-Water, creating a very picturesque village scene. There are 17 or so Hazel species growing across Europe, parts of North Africa, Western Asia and North America. The British native hazel is Corylus avellana, usually called the cob. But Corylus maxima, native to southern Europe, is also easily found for sale, and is generally referred to as the filbert. However, for humans animals and birds, the real difference is in the eating. With fruit we consume a sweet, juicy treat which is the fleshy outer casing. In terms of energy this is economical for the plant to produce and the likelihood is that the animals and birds will distribute the seeds for the tree. (Generally in a nutritious coating 😉)

Soil fertility greatly affects the health and productivity of nuts. Even unfussy hazels and bladdernuts produce more abundantly in fertile, loamy soils. A neutral soil pH between six to seven is favoured by most; testing kits are available. It’s worth the minimal expense, as encouragement towards this happy medium is easy to undertake — add lime to reduce acidity and compost to dilute alkalinity. “Squirrel traps are all but essential if you have planted more than a couple of trees”

Finally, squirrels can frighten birds -- especially smaller birds . If you are putting out food so that you can spot smaller, rarer UK garden birds , this can cause an issue. Historic examples show that there were a selection of ways to include nut trees within a garden or walled garden. The nuttery could be a part of the orchard, often with the nut trees grown to one side rather than scattered throughout. Or there might be an avenue of nut trees, possibly sweet chestnut or walnut, leading to the orchard. Hazel was also grown as a tunnel, keeping the nuts within easy reach for harvesting, and hopefully with less depravation by squirrels. If you envisage grazing or mowing between trees, nitrogen-fixing clovers — notably the long-lasting red and white clover — are excellent; they enrich the soil and attract beneficial insects. In a forest-garden approach, the planting is based on a natural woodland and tiered from trees through shrubs and herbaceous layers to ground cover; in an ornamental garden situation, the opportunity for planting species that thrive in semi-shade is considerable. Another tree that likes warm climates, sweet chestnuts were possibly introduced to Britain by the Romans. Also one short nuttery tunnel, with 3 hazel on each side, although this wasn’t installed specifically for nuts for human consumption as it was part of a wildlife orientated design.

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In the UK hazel can be found growing in hedgerows; woodland and field edges; on scrubby upland and as an understorey plant where there is oak, ash or birch woodland. Which gives us a good idea that Corylus avellana is happy in a range of soils and situations. Tolerant of pH 5 – 8, but its less keen on heavy clay, so improve the drainage if that’s what you have.

The difference between fruits and nuts is sometimes a bit blurred, and its not untrue to say that they are similar. They both have an outer casing containing a seed or seeds. If close to water, try varieties such as ‘Broadview’ that are resistant to leaf blotch and walnut blight Commercial nut growing has also been part of the food production for a few hundred years, especially in Kent, Nottingham, Gloucestershire, Sussex and Suffolk. Although we think of these as nutteries, the term plat or nut plat is more commonly used in southern England.

Word History

There are lots of things to see and to do here at Notgrove to keep both adults and children entertained including: Window display at the House of the Tailor of Gloucester based on Beatrix Potter’s story. Photo: Rudi Winter/geograph.org.uk Here in an area bounded by Bath, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon you’ll find some of the finest landscapes in England. Cotswold towns and villages such as Burford, Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water are world famous and remain largely unchanged since their creation in medieval England centuries ago. This was when the wealth of the wool trade left its mark in the high quality stone buildings for which the area is renowned. You will generally need more than one walnut tree to ensure pollination, although some grafted trees should produce within 3 – 4 years.

At nearly 800ft, Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns and is famous as a centre for antiques. The Roman Fosse Way from Cirencester to Leicester passes through it and it probably dates from a prehistoric fortified settlement on top of the hill. Belle Epine’, ‘Bouche de Bétizac’, ‘Marigoule’, ‘Marlhac’. ‘Marigoule’ is the most reliable partially self-fertile varietyThese days it is more rare for humans to distribute the seeds that way. But we do propagate and grow fruit trees as we enjoy eating the fruit, so it is still a positive result for the plant. How many trees do you need? Well, I don’t think you could claim that one tree makes a nuttery, so I would go with at least five. Which is the number I’ve suggested you’d need for a mini orchard (see blog link below). You wouldn’t need a huge garden to fit in five hazelnut trees, but if space is tight, perhaps we could say three hazel or two hazel and an almond makes a mini nuttery. Set out your plan with canes — any undulation can throw a plan out. Views are important, so finesse by eye Located in the centre of the beautiful Cotswold village of Notgrove is a popular cafe for cycling groups of all sizes, serving up delicious home cooked breakfasts, lunches, daily specials, cakes and coffee. With a huge number of tables both inside and out it’s ideal for cycling groups of all sizes as you can see by our photos, on a Sunday morning you can be sure of good company, coffee and cake. Advanced bookings are most welcome and encouraged for larger cycling clubs.