A sweet old-fashioned apple, with a delicate melon flavour - very likeable
USDA identification images for Norfolk Royal
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Sports of this variety
Sports are natural genetic mutations of the original variety.
Visitor reviews
- 16 Oct 2012 NORFOLK, United KingdomAcquired my Norfolk Royal tree 1997. It always produces Large sweet fruit. Best apple I've ever tasted. Best straight from the tree, but cooks up well too. I wouldn't be without this tree!
- 10 Jan 2012 NORTH WALES, United KingdomI don't like apples very much - but this one is the exception. It has an amazingly sweet and aromatic flavour and the apple itself is huge, crisp (but without hurting your teeth) and very picturesque. The only drawback is that our tree is now cropping alternate years and doesn't have a heavy crop when it does produce - even though there are lots of pollinators all around it. And it doesn't keep.
- 06 Dec 2011 LONDON, United KingdomJulie jm.stevens28@yahoo.co.uk Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Have just had mine identified. Best picked just before pips turn brown. Flesh mainly greeny-white, but where sun catches the skin it turns red, and the red blush seeps through. Sweet, sharp, so juicy. Keeps better if unpicked
- 23 Nov 2011 HAMPSHIRE, United KingdomI have just had my two apple trees identified as Norfolk Royal. They were in the garden when I moved here 26 years ago. They are the best eating apple I know. The skins look like they have been polished on the tree before turning sticky.
- 09 Mar 2011 CHESHIRE, United KingdomThe 4 grafts we had done at the local horticultural college last year, from our neighbour's Norfolk Royal all flourished, and have now had their maiden pruning. Had another 4 done this year. Lovely apple to eat and cook. Carol Tarr
- 24 Oct 2010 HANTS, United KingdomJust had an apple identified as Norfolk Royal and wanted to check if people might agree. The skin is very greasy, the flesh is crisp but not overly so. Occassionaly the flesh can taste a little 'soapy'. Mid-Oct seems to be the latest harvesting date. Appearance seems to differ from deep red to almost stripey red/yellow. Last year the flesh has a slight 'fizzy' feel when harvested in early Nov. Does this sound consistent with Norfolk Royal?
- 18 Oct 2009 EAST SUSSEX, United KingdomI tried this at the Apple Festival at Brogdale (National Fruit Collection) - in my opinion, the nicest apple there. Really tasty but also crisp and juicy. Definitely a top apple for taste, although no great shakes to look at.
- 28 Sep 2009 NORFOLK, United KingdomI have one in the garden - about 23 years old. Very prolific and beautiful flavour. Agree that they don't store well but freshly picked off the tree they are delicious!
- 24 May 2008 TENBURY WELLS, WORCESTERSHIRE, United KingdomI have a norfolk royal, approx 80 years old, that produces an enormous amount of excellent fruit every year. They are rather greasy on the skin but the flesh is very tasty, and they don't keep very long after picking.
Tree register
United Kingdom
- Adrian Hodge in Dereham, NORFOLK
- Alison Wilkin in Norwich, NORFOLK
- Alison Wilkin in Norwich, NORFOLK
- Andy Marczewski in Dereham, NORFOLK
- Ann in Nottingham, NOTTS
- Anne Maclachlan in Bishop's Castle, SHROPSHIRE
- b in Norwich, NORFOLK
- Carol Tarr in Frodsham, CHESHIRE
- Carol Tarr in Frodsham, FRODSHAM CHESHIRE
- Chris Vines in South Wales,
- Graham Hinchliffe in Eastbourne, EAST SUSSEX
- Jean Lippett in Martock, SOMERSET
- Julie Stevens in London, LONDON
- M in Mattishall, NORFOLK
- Malcolm Goodwin in Eye, SUFFOLK
- Owen Roberts in Reepham, NORFOLK
- Penelope Borovikov in Andover, HAMPSHIRE
Netherlands
- Cheuk A Lam in Amsterdam, NOORD-HOLLAND
Norway
- Henrik Melsom Edvardsen in STAVANGER,
Spring blossom records for this variety
2016 season
- 1st May 2016 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 1st May 2015 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 27th April 2014 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 24th May 2013 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
- 24th May 2013 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
- 20th May 2013 - tree owned by Penelope in Andover, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 8th May 2012 - tree owned by Penelope in Andover, United Kingdom
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Harvest records for this variety
2018 season
- 4th week August 2018 - tree owned by Ann in Nottingham, United Kingdom
2017 season
- 2nd week September 2017 - tree owned by Ann in Nottingham, United Kingdom
2016 season
- 3rd week October 2016 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
2015 season
- 3rd week October 2015 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
- 1st week September 2015 - tree owned by Ann in Nottingham, United Kingdom
2014 season
- 2nd week September 2014 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
2013 season
- 3rd week October 2013 - tree owned by Carol in Frodsham, United Kingdom
2012 season
- 3rd week October 2012 - tree owned by Jean in Martock, United Kingdom
2011 season
- 4th week September 2011 - tree owned by Andy in Dereham, United Kingdom
- August 2011 - tree owned by Julie in London, United Kingdom
2009 season
- 3rd week September 2009 - tree owned by Chris in South Wales, United Kingdom
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica - Apple
- Parentage: Unknown
- Originates from: England, United Kingdom
- Introduced: 1905
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1933-004
Identification
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
Using
- Picking period: early September
- Wildlife: RHS Plants for Pollinators
Growing
- Pollinating others: Average
- Ploidy: Diploid
- Bearing regularity: Regular
Climate
- Summer average maximum temperatures: Cool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)
Where to buy fresh fruit
The following orchards grow Norfolk Royal:
United Kingdom
England - south-east
- The Hop Shop, Sevenoaks
References
- Apples of England (1948)
Author: Taylor