Held on Friday June 12th, the Royal Three Counties Show 2026 hosted a tightly contested and high quality International Cider Championships. Entries were up 10% on 2025 and featured several of the makers exhibiting at the show as part of the annual Three Counties Cider Festival held in the showground, such as Palmer’s Upland Cyder, Woodredding Cider, Hartpury Cider, and Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry. Excitingly, this year’s Best in Show prize was sponsored by STIHL, who provided electrical pruning tools for the winner.
The Cider Festival has been a celebrated part of the Royal Three Counties Show for over two decades and allows the Three Counties Cider & Perry Association to educate and inspire members of the public by introducing them to the quality produce being made in our local area, showcasing apple pressing techniques and educating them on the historic importance of cider and perry to the Three Counties.
This year’s competition was judged by four titans of the craft cider industry: Current Chair of the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association, Lydia Crimp of Artistraw Cider, alongside Emma Jordan of Blue Barrel Cider,Tom Oliver of Oliver’s Cider and Perry, and James Forbes of Little Pomona. Sincere thanks to our Head Steward Helen Anne Smith and Assistant Steward Andrew Backinsell.
Many thanks to every entrant to the competition who help keep the spirit of cidermaking alive in the Three Counties, the rest of the United Kingdom and abroad.
Competition Results
Dry Cider
First Prize – Severitt’s Cider
Second Prize – Rennie’s Winslow Cider
Third Prize – Meggy’s Cider
Medium Cider
First Prize – Severitt’s Cider
Second Prize – Rennie’s Winslow Cider
Third Prize – Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company
Sweet Cider
First Prize – Palmers Upland Cyder
Second Prize – Meggy’s Cider
Third Prize – Robin Bornoff
Bottle Fermented/Conditioned Cider
First Prize – Palmers Upland Cyder
Second Prize – Meggy’s Cider
Third Prize – Cwm Maddoc
Single Variety Cider
First Prize – Oldfield’s Cider
Second Prize – Andrew Backinsell
Third Prize – Severitt’s Cider
Best in Worcestershire: Oldfield’s Cider
Best in Herefordshire: Severitt’s Cider
Best in Show (Sponsored by STIHL): Palmers Upland Cyder
Reserve Champion: Severitt’s Cider
No entries received for no/low cider. No prizes awarded in ‘Specialty Cider’
Photography credit: Helen Anne Smith