Enjoy your fruit as fresh as it gets with a trip to one of the many pick your own farms in Ireland and the UK – a great idea for a family day out with the added bonus of delicious treats to enjoy afterwards!
There is so much to be gained from picking fresh fruits and vegetables, and many of us have happy childhood memories of doing just that at pick your own farms or local hedgerows. It’s a wonderful way for children to get some fresh air while learning and having fun – with a tasty treat at the end (or on the way round, in many cases).
Children quickly catch on to picking the biggest and ripest fruits and dropping them into the basket. But the fun doesn’t stop there, because children love helping to prepare the fruits and get involved with cooking when you get home. They’ll be nagging you for a return visit in no time!
And it’s not just strawberries up for grabs – everything from courgettes to cherries, and even wild flowers and herbs, can be found at pick your own farms. Some farms have dozens of different crops on offer! Here are some of our favourites across Ireland and the UK.
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Pick Your Own Farms in Ireland
Lamberts Fruit Farm, Dublin
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Every year, the rush to get to Lamberts Fruit Farm is huge, as there are very few pick your own farms remaining in Ireland. Opening is seasonal, usually running from late June to early August, so it’s worth checking their Facebook page in advance to confirm availability.
When open, there are strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries up for grabs.
The Apple Farm, Tipperary
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Apples have grown in this area for hundreds of years, and since 1968 more and more orchards have been planted here. As well as apples, the farm grows pears, plums, cherries, raspberries and strawberries – although usually only strawberries are available for picking, and only on occasional dates, so check ahead.
There’s a farm shop open year-round, as well as a Camping and Caravan Park on the farm if you fancy getting back to nature.
The Village at Wheelocks, Wexford
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Wheelocks have been growing fruit on their farm near Enniscorthy since the 1950s – strawberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, raspberries, rhubarb and even pumpkins.
Wexford strawberries are almost a brand in themselves, famous around Ireland for their sweet taste. Now you can see them grow at Wheelocks Fruit Farm and pick your own.
Corderry Fruit Farm, Dundalk
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The family-run Corderry Fruit Farm in Dundalk, Co Louth produces strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, apples, pumpkins and other produce.
Alongside supplying some well-known supermarkets, they offer a pick your own service during the summer months and again in autumn.
The Berry Farm, Wexford
Based in Clonroche, Co Wexford, The Berry Farm is open to the public for strawberry picking from May to September.
Pick Your Own Farms in England
Copas Farm, Cookham, Berkshire
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Head to Copas Farm and enjoy the fresh air as you wander acres of fresh produce, picking your own seasonal fruit and veg including asparagus, strawberries, cherries, gooseberries, runner beans, French beans and peas.
There’s typically a small entrance charge which is refunded against the produce you pick, and the farm also holds Fruit Festival Days on some Sundays during peak season, when you can eat fruit in the fields as you go. It’s worth checking current pricing and dates on the farm’s own website before you travel.
Open from May to September, there’s also an on-site shop stocking picked produce as well as jams, eggs, sausages and bacon.
Graveley Fruit Farm, Stevenage
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Get lost in the Hertfordshire fields of Graveley Fruit Farm and enjoy strawberry picking during the summer, or venture out on a search for the perfect pumpkin in October. This farm has been in the same family for four generations, and has grown to include a children’s adventure play area with a zip-wire and haystacks, tractor and trailer rides, and a café.
Expect ripe strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. The fruit is grown on a table-top system at waist height for easy picking, and in polytunnels so picking can go ahead whatever the weather. You can pick your own or buy fruit ready-picked in the café.
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Garsons of Esher, Esher, Surrey
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In the beautiful Surrey countryside, Garsons is one of the UK’s largest pick your own farms, alongside a garden centre and farm shop. The farm has a long history, having originally grown fresh produce to sell at London’s Borough Market.
Open from June to October, the offering is impressive, with dozens of crops and varieties available. You’ll find all the favourites, like strawberries and raspberries, plus fresh vegetables such as runner beans, onions and peas, and even seasonal sunflowers. There’s a handy picking map to tell you what’s ready and what’s not, and plenty of onsite parking too.
Hillfield Nursery and Farm Shop, Norwich
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You’d be hard-pressed to find a pick your own farm with a larger range of apples – Hillfield Nursery and Farm Shop grows a huge variety and is known for one of the biggest ranges of fruit in the whole of East Anglia.
Whether you prefer spending time under the trees in the orchards or hunting for strawberries among the soft fruit crops, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Their picking season generally runs from May to October, with pears, rhubarb and quinces among the other crops on offer. Hillfield also has a farm shop and hosts seasonal events such as a blossom walk through their orchards.
Stanhill Farm, Wilmington
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The family-run Stanhill Farm has a huge selection of pick your own fruit across its site, including strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries and blackcurrants from June to October.
There’s free parking and no charge for picking – you simply pay for what you take home. There’s also a maize maze open from July to September, with a different theme each year.
They don’t have a café, but they do sell ice creams, drinks and refreshments from their Pick Your Own hut, so it’s worth bringing a picnic too.
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Parkside Farm, Enfield
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Located in Enfield, North London, Parkside Farm offers little ones the chance to pick their own fruit and veg between June and October. Choose from strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and plenty of vegetables too.
Stroll around the farm with a basket in hand and select your favourites to take home – you only pay for what you collect. With a selection of table-top crops including berries and vegetables, you won’t even have to bend down to find the best fresh fruit.
There’s also a dedicated picnic space and a shop selling ice creams, meringues and Parkside honey.
The Hop Shop, Castle Farm, Kent
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The pick your own at The Hop Shop is a stunner, set on a lavender farm in the Kent countryside.
During autumn (even out of lavender season, the fragrance lingers) you can visit the pick your own orchard, which has pears, corn on the cob and Kent Cob hazelnuts, as well as a variety of apples. The orchard is predominantly planted with Norfolk Royal apple trees, with a few rows of Cox apples and the odd Golden Delicious tree for cross-pollination.
The farm shop is well worth a visit in its own right, and there’s a very old quince tree at the front, usually laden with fruit. Picking generally winds down by mid-October, but it’s a popular spot, so check ahead before visiting, and it’s worth confirming their current payment options too.
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Trevaskis Farm, Cornwall
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Enjoy the full countryside experience at Trevaskis Farm in the beautiful Cornish outdoors. There’s plenty to keep everyone busy, with fruit picking, a shop, farm park and a café with a great kids’ menu.
As well as pick your own cherries, you’ll find pumpkins, peas, sweetcorn and raspberries among others, so there’s something for every taste in the family. Informative signposts around the farm help little ones learn about the crops as they go.
Entrance is free, so you only pay for what ends up in your basket. All-weather polytunnels and plenty of trees mean the weather is rarely a problem.
The Balloon Tree Farmshop and Cafe, York
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With pick your own fruit, a children’s play area, an animal corner and a café known for its cakes, The Balloon Tree in Yorkshire makes for a great day out.
Follow a well-organised pick your own trail through the farm and select the best of whatever’s in season – from the first strawberries in May to the last pumpkins in October. As well as strawberries, they offer blueberries, plums and runner beans among others, and the children’s play area sits right next to the café garden so you can relax with a cup of tea while the kids play.
With a kid-sized digger and tractor, a two-storey Wendy house and a climbing frame, there’s plenty to keep tots busy. Right by the play area, Animal Corner lets you get hands-on with the farm’s resident animals, including pygmy goats Petal and Flower – pick up a bag of feed from the farm shop and treat them.
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Pick Your Own Farms in Scotland
Cairnie Fruit Farm, Fife
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Cairnie Fruit Farm has pick your own cherries, plus plenty more, including strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, pumpkins and even sunflowers. The farm also grows table-top strawberries for easy picking. But it doesn’t stop at the fruit – there’s also a café, funyard and mega maze.
If you visit while the six-acre Mega Maize Maze is open, it’s well worth a go. Even outside maze season, you’ll have full access to the Funyard, a brilliant play area with trampolines, swings, slides, a fortress, tractors and more. There’s an entry fee to pay, but it makes for a full family day out.
Charleton Fruit Farm, Montrose
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Charleton Fruit Farm is a family-run business where you can pick your own fruit, grab a bite in the café (converted from an old barn and stables), browse the gift shop, and let the kids loose in the play zones – one gated area for under-12s, and another for older kids (and adults!).
There’s plenty of seating, including spots overlooking the play areas so you can relax while the kids play. Even on a busy summer weekend, the farm is well managed with ample parking and space to run around.
Throughout the year there are seasonal events to enjoy, from Easter egg hunts to choosing your own Christmas tree in December. Pick your own typically starts in spring, with a range of berries available for family picking through the season.
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East Yonderton Farm, Renfrew
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East Yonderton is a family-run Renfrewshire soft fruit farm near Inchinnan, just beside Glasgow Airport.
During the fruit season, the farm is open daily for picking, and fruit can also be ordered ready-picked for collection on weekdays. The farm also grows vegetables and potatoes, available for most of the year.
Border Berries, Kelso, Roxburghshire
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Strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, tayberries and peas are all available for picking at Border Berries. This family-run soft fruit farm has large, well-tended crops to choose from, at reasonable per-kilo prices.
Picking depends on the weather and fruit availability on any given day, so check their Facebook page and website for regular updates before visiting.
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Pick Your Own Farms in Wales
Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Hawarden, Flintshire
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Between June and October, families are invited to come and pick their own. You’ll find rows of gooseberries, raspberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants, followed later in the season by apples, pears and plums, both eating and cooking varieties, plus Hawarden Estate pumpkins.
When you arrive, pick up a biodegradable punnet at the farm shop, then head back to have your haul weighed.
Aberbran Fawr Farm, Brecon, Powys
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Aberbran Fawr is a campsite in the Brecon Beacons National Park that also grows pick your own soft fruit, available (subject to seasonal availability) from mid-June to early August.
As well as strawberries, you can stock up on a variety of fruit and veg including broad beans, peas, potatoes, raspberries and blackcurrants.
Hooton’s Homegrown, Brynsiencyn, Anglesey
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Hooton’s Homegrown offers a variety of seasonal fruit on a pay-as-you-pick basis. Strawberries are the main attraction, but blackcurrants, rhubarb, peas and broad beans are also available.
Opening hours for picking can vary through the season, so it’s best to check their social media for the latest availability before you go.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time of year to visit a pick your own farm?
Most pick your own farms in Ireland and the UK are at their best from June through to September, when soft fruits like strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants are in season. Some farms extend into autumn for apples, pears and pumpkins, so it’s worth checking each farm’s own updates before you travel.
Do I need to book ahead?
Many farms don’t require booking, but availability can depend on the weather and how much fruit is ready that day. Smaller farms, in particular, often post updates on Facebook or their website, so it’s a good idea to check before setting off.
How much does it cost to pick your own fruit?
Pricing varies from farm to farm, and many charge simply for the weight of what you pick rather than an entry fee. A few farms have a small entry charge that’s refunded against your produce. Always check current pricing directly with the farm before you visit.
What should we bring with us?
A container or basket if the farm doesn’t provide one, comfortable shoes for walking around fields, sun protection or rain gear depending on the season, and cash as a backup in case card payment isn’t available everywhere on-site.
Are pick your own farms suitable for toddlers and young children?
Yes, many farms are very family-friendly, with table-top crops that are easy for little hands to reach, plus play areas, animal corners and cafés at several of the farms featured above.
More Family Day Out Ideas
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