Nothing says summer like picking your own farm-fresh fruit and veg – and you can do this very near London! Pick-Your-Own Farms offer a vast bounty of juicy berries, fresh sweetcorn and gorgeous greens. Bring the kids for a lovely walk around farm fields showing them first-hand where their food comes from.
Many PYOs have farm shops and cafes on site and some even have play areas, nature trails, mazes and seasonal events. A day out for all ages!
Be sure to check farm websites to confirm opening hours and available pickings before going.
PICK YOUR OWN FARMS NEAR LONDON
CAMMAS HALL
NEEDHAM GREEN, HERETFORDSHIRE
Primarily a fruit farm, they grow quite a variety of sweet treats to pick including cherries and blueberries. In October there’s a plentiful pumpkin patch. You can easily spend hours here – there’s a cafe with loads of seating (no picnics allowed), farm shop, maize maze, nature trail and children’s play area. They also offer animal encounters and natural craft workshops.
To PYO you need to book a slot and purchase a voucher for everyone visiting; always check the website ahead of time to see what crops will be available to pick.
COPAS FARMS
COOKHAM, BERKSHIRE AND IVER, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Copas Farms offers not one but two sites, in Cookham in Berkshire and Iver in Buckinghamshire. Stock up on your strawberries, cherries, raspberries, currents and broad beans as well as many other crops; the website lists what’s currently available. In the shop, you’ll find local honey, jams and more.
To PYO you will need to purchase a voucher online in advance of your visit. This will allow you entry at your chosen time (if available) within a 15 minute time slot and to remain on the farm for up to 2 hours.
CROCKFORD BRIDGE FARM SHOP AND PICK YOUR OWN
ADDLESTONE, SURREY
Close to Weybridge and offering pick-your-own from May to September, Crockford Bridge grows rhubarb and red currents, spinach and strawberries, beetroot and carrots, among many others. To top it off, they’ve got a cute ice cream parlour and tea shack.
In order to visit the PYO, customers are required to purchase a Farm Pass. These are released on a rolling 7 day period and availability is linked to the amount of crops in our fields available to pick. This ensures there will be sufficient crops to pick when you visit and helps reduce queues at peak times.
FLOWER FARM SHOP
GODSTONE, SURREY
Crops include strawberries, raspberries and cherries and plums; ring their PYO line to check the most up-to-date availability. You’ll also find a pub garden, Saturday Night Live Shows, a tea room, a farm shop and ale brewed in their farm brewery by the Godstone Brewers.
No need to pre-book for PYO here, simply enter the shop and inform the team that you would like to go picking, you will then be handed a punnet to place your fruit into, then return to the shop after you have been picking to pay for your produce. Check their Facebook page in advance to find out when PYO crops are ready.
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GARSONS
ESHER, SURREY
Claiming to be the UK’s largest PYO farm, with 155 acres of fields to harvest, Garson’s conveniently maps out their current offerings, showing what’s available to pick and where. Browse the garden centre and then choose from fruits including raspberries and apples, fresh vegetables such as courgettes and sweetcorn and even beautiful sunflowers, dahlias and gladioli.
A Farm Pass is required for everyone entering the farm to PYO and must be booked in advance of visiting. Before booking please make sure you read through the details and check what crops are available to pick.
GRAYS FARM
WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE
Grays Farm’s PYO run by two generations of the Grays family. It is open May to October and you can pick or purchase in the farm shop, a variety of fruit and veg including strawberries, currants, new potatoes, broccoli and courgettes. There’s a farm shop, too.
No entry charge – Just pay for what you pick. No need to book. There’s a central car park, toilets, play area, picnic areas and a farm trail.
HEWITTS FARM
ORPINGTON, KENT
Hewitts is a family run business set in 78 acres, just outside of Orpington Kent. They grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for PYO and also have a large selection for sale throughout the year in our farm shop. Plums and peas, swiss chard and spinach, cabbage and courgettes—all these and more are available to pick here. You can also buy honey, free-range eggs and bedding plants in the farm shop.
PYO estimated to open beginning of July.
HOME COTTAGE FARM
IVER HEATH, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Just outside the M25, this farm grows everything it sells, mostly soft fruits and apples. In various months (generally July through October or November), you can choose from 18 varieties of apple and pear, plus plums, raspberries, blackberries and honey.
No opening date listed for 2023 yet, check back HERE for more info.
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MCLAUCHLANS OF BOXTED
BOXTED, ESSEX
Near Colchester, this farm grows the usual currants and berries, including jam strawberries and dessert gooseberries, plus sweetcorn and broad beans. The shop sells potatoes from a nearby village as well as cream from a local dairy, and offers freshly frozen fruit year-round.
No need to book, just come on down and get stuck in!
PARKSIDE FARM
ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX
A beautiful place to PYO with rolling hills providing lush views. Crops here include ‘table-top’ strawberries—no bending required!—plus currants, raspberries and blackberries. Veg on offer ranges from spinach, Swiss chard and sweetcorn to courgettes, green onions, and French beans. The shop sells, amongst other things, ice cream, meringues and chocolate dipping sauce.
Advanced booking is required for PYO, maximum picking time 2 hours.
STANHILL FARM
WILMINGTON, KENT
Stanhill Farm offers berries, beans, sweetcorn and more—and there’s even a maize maze with a theme that changes from year to year. Check the website to see what’s available, and come back for pumpkins October half-term.
No need to book in advance, just show up and PYO goodness.
Happy picking!
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Updated June 2023
Featured image from Cammas Hall Farm
