Beauty of Bath

History and description of Beauty of Bath

Beauty of Bath apple originated as a local variety grown at Bailbrook, near Bath, UK in the 19th Century. It was inroduced by the nurseryman George Cooling of Bath c 1864. Received a First Class Certificate from the RHS in 1887. Became established as one of the most important very early dessert apples grown in the UK. However, it suffered from the disadvantage of a tendency to drop its fruit. Straw had to be spread under the trees to prevent damage to falling fruit. It is now no longer grown commercially but remains a popular garden variety.

Small to medium sized, flat round fruit. Attractive looking. Red flush and stripes over pale greenish yellow skin. Creamy white, soft, juicy flesh, sometimes stained pink under the skin. Distinctive, fairly sharp flavour. Does not store and should be eaten from the tree.

Vigorous tree. Heavy cropper but with a tendency to drop its fruit before it is fully ripe. Very resistant to scab.

Characteristics of Beauty of Bath apple trees

Use	Dessert
Colour	Flushed
Flavour	Sharp
Fruit size	Small
Picking time	Early Aug
Season of use	Aug
Tree vigour	Vigorous
Tree habit	Upright-spreading
Fruit-bearing	Spur-bearer
Cropping	Heavy
Disease resistance	Scab - Very resistant
Suitable for	Northern Britain Wet Regions
Pollination date	9
Pollination group	C
Self-fertility	Self-sterile
Pollinators	Pollination partners
Progeny	Beauty of Bedford Discovery Duchess of Bedford Exeter Cross Maidstone Favourite