Five of the best pick-your-own farms in the UK
Pick-your-own farms are set for a post-lockdown boom this summer, as people look to support local businesses and spend more time outdoors. Here are five of our favourites.
A family at Parkside Farm, a pick-your-own place on the northern edge of London.
1. Parkside Farm, Enfield
Juicy blackberries, redcurrants and strawberries are the stars of the show at this pick-your-own place on the northern edge of London. One key selling point is the ‘table-top’ strawberry-growing system, which means plants are grown in troughs at waist height — no more bending down in the dirt to pluck your berries. Parkside is also one of the few farms accessible without a car, as long as you don’t mind a walk — it’s 25 minutes from Gordon Hill station.
2. Craigie’s Farm, Scotland
Just outside Edinburgh, Craigie’s Farm is bursting with produce including cherries, raspberries, peas, broad beans and, perhaps surprisingly, sunflowers. The onsite shop, deli and cafe have a lot more to offer besides fruit and veg — you can pick up homemade jams, meat, cheese and even an apple press for making your own juice. There are activities for children too, including a Nature Detective Trail involving encounters with sheep, pygmy goats and Shetland ponies.
The exterior of Craigie’s Farm, which bursts with produce including cherries, raspberries, peas, broad beans and, perhaps surprisingly, sunflowers.
3. Hewitts Farm, Kent
This family-run farm in Kent offers everything from spinach and beetroot to apples and blackberries during its pick-your-own season, which runs from June to October (for Halloween pumpkins). There’s also a shop selling farm-grown and local produce, as well as free tractor rides for youngsters on Sundays during the summer.
4. Bellis Brothers Farm, Wrexham
This farm in North Wales started growing strawberries back in 1860 and has operated as a pick-your-own since 1967. More fruits, such as gooseberries and redcurrants, have been added since then, but it’s still mostly known for its strawberries. Pickers can download Bellis family strawberry recipes from the farm’s website, including ones for jams and a baked strawberry cheesecake.
5. Over Farm, Gloucester
There’s plenty of fruit and veg to be found on Over Farm — everything from asparagus in spring and soft fruits in summer to marrows and pumpkins in autumn. You’ll also find a deli and plenty of activities on offer, such as walking trails and the chance to meet farm animals. Plus, the farm hosts an annual Halloween festival.
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