Belltown Hill Orchards is a fourth-generation family farm nestled in the rolling hills of South Glastonbury, Connecticut. Established in 1910 by the Preli family, the orchard has grown from modest beginnings into one of Connecticut’s most beloved and expansive farm destinations. Today, the farm remains in the hands of the Preli family, operated by Donald Preli Jr. and Michael Preli alongside their extended family, who continue to build upon a legacy of dedication to the land and its fruits.

The farm’s roots trace back to 1904, when Louis Preli immigrated from Northern Italy at age 14. He worked the land with his uncle before eventually purchasing seven acres of his own, where he raised a family and grew crops while also producing railroad ties. Over the decades, the Preli family steadily expanded the property, planting strawberries, peaches, and fruit trees atop Belltown Road. In the 1970s, they opened a retail market in one of Louis’s original buildings—a cherished structure still in use today.

Visitors to Belltown Hill Orchards are welcomed into a vibrant hub of seasonal agriculture, offering pick-your-own fruit from mid-June through late October. With over 24 apple varieties and a colorful array of berries, peaches, and pumpkins, the orchard celebrates the bounty of New England’s growing season. Their bustling market and bakery offer farm-fresh produce, dairy, frozen fruits, and pantry goods, alongside beloved treats like apple cider donuts and homemade pies. Whether you come to pick, snack, or shop, Belltown Hill Orchards delivers an authentic and enduring farm experience from their family to yours.