Brandy Wharf Cider Centre

This is a remote pub selling many ciders in the heart of rural Lincolnshire. Several ciders on tap, many more bottled, including local Skidbrooke Cyder. Seating area outside on river bank.There is a Cider bottle museum on site, which they will open, but due to flooding most of it is now in Herefordshire.
Brandy Wharf lies about 5 miles east from the A15 on the B1205 in Lincolnshire south of Brigg. There is a bridge over the River Ancholme needing its traffic lights, there are boats moored and going past on the straight canalised river, a large building and a pub. The pub does not specialise in brandy but cider.


Unlike New Holland, a place said to be named from activity of smuggling gin, Brandy Wharf was not named from a place to smuggle brandy (well, there may have been smuggling but this is not the origin of the name). It was a Viking area and a group called the Brandes settled (even were stranded) in the area which in fact gave them plenty of resources for food by animals, field crops and orchards. This was a landscape which frequently flooded up to nine feet deep, and Brande's Wharf was a link to the land on the west side. The Roman Road and moreso the earlier parallel road (B1398) runs along a north south ridge.


The flooding came from the Ancholme as was, and it means home of the Anchorites who were religious hermits in monasteries along this winding river. Winghall Priory was built at Brande's Wharf but it declined and was ruined with the dissolution of the monsteries in 1536. There is nothing visible now.


Now this is not a place to go to and drive back. The straight roads make GREAT motorbike runs..wow the speed you can get..I can get..NO don't do it. So you camp next to the pub and try not to fall in the river on the way back to bed or have to fish your bike out when it gets light. Cars are welcome too.


Children have to stay outside the pub but can explore the woodland and there are the drinking areas in a green and along the river side (no swimming but most do). A 240 foot stepping stone circle was made was made around a Weeping Ash that gives compass directions, time and folklore dates to mark the Millennium. There is often folk music and morris dancing featured inside and out.


Brandy Wharf Leisure Park (where to stay)is a family run Camping and Caravan Site located next to the peace and calm of the Ancholme River. They also offer boat mooring and launching, fishing facilities and a warm and friendly welcome to all; that includes children and pets.


Last time I went it was a party of 20 odd Goths, including Gothlings, Teens. We set up camp, ran up the Jolly Roger and a few other Goffy flags and put the stereo on.
Next to us where about 15 guys from the same office having a stag weekend reunion..yes! and a group of bikers.
After our barbie they all joined us for the music..had a game of roundersthen we went up to the cider centre as a huge gang! No-one batted an eye. I spent most of my time outside with the teens eating chocolate and crisps and drinking cider.Just me they had cokefollowed by pillow fights in tents etc..huge fun!

Great place, recommend it!