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’s so much to be gained from picking fresh fruit and vegetables, and many of us have happy childhood memories of doing just that on a pick your own farm. It’s a lovely way for children to get some fresh air while learning and having fun, with a tasty reward at the end (or along the way, in many cases).
Children quickly cotton on to picking the biggest and ripest fruit and dropping it into the basket. But the fun doesn’t stop there, because kids also love helping to prepare the fruit and get involved with cooking once you’re home. They’ll be nagging you for a return visit before you’ve even left the car park!
And it’s not just strawberries up for grabs — everything from courgettes to cherries, wildflowers to herbs can be found at pick your own farms, with some sites offering dozens of different crops across the season. Here are 21 of the best we’ve found 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. It’s only open on certain days from late June to early August, so it’s worth checking their Facebook page before you travel to be sure of availability.
When open, you’ll find strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries up for grabs.
The Apple Farm, Tipperary
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Apples have grown in this part of Tipperary 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 only strawberries are available for picking, and only on occasional dates, so it’s worth checking in advance.
There’s a farm shop open year round, plus a camping and caravan park on site if you fancy making a longer trip of it.
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 sweetness. Now you can see them grow at Wheelocks Fruit Farm and pick your own.
Corderry Fruit Farm, Dundalk
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This family-run farm in Dundalk, Co Louth produces strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, apples, pumpkins and more.
As well as supplying some well-known supermarkets, Corderry offers 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 a small entry charge per person, which is then deducted from the cost of whatever you pick. The farm also holds Fruit Festival Days on some Sundays during peak season, when you can eat fruit in the fields as you go.
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 hunt 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 here, or buy ready-picked fruit in the café.
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Garsons of Esher, Esher, Surrey
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In the beautiful Surrey countryside, Garsons is home to the UK’s largest pick your own farm, along with a garden centre and farm shop. The farm first started 145 years ago, growing 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 — strawberries and raspberries — plus fresh vegetables such as runner beans, onions and peas, and even seasonal sunflowers. A handy map tells you what’s ready for picking on the day, and all crops are easily accessible with plenty of on-site parking.
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 well over a hundred varieties and is known for one of the biggest fruit ranges in East Anglia.
Whether you prefer wandering under the trees in the orchards or hunting for strawberries among the soft fruit crops, there’s plenty to enjoy. Alongside pears, rhubarb and quinces, the picking season runs from May to October. Hillfield also has a farm shop and hosts seasonal events such as a blossom walk through the orchards.
Stanhill Farm, Wilmington
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The family-run Stanhill Farm has a huge selection of pick your own fruit across its 150-acre site, including strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries and blackcurrants from June to October.
There’s free parking and no charge for pick your own — you simply pay for what you pick. There’s also a maize maze open from July to September, with a different theme each year. They don’t have a café, but do sell ice creams, drinks and refreshments from their pick your own hut, so bring a picnic and make a day of it.
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Parkside Farm, Enfield
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Located in Enfield, North London, Parkside Farm gives 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 besides.
Stroll around with a basket in hand and select your favourites — you’ll only pay for what you collect. Many of the crops are grown “table-top” style, so you won’t even need to bend down to reach the best 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 real treat for the eyes, set on a lavender farm in Kent. During autumn — even out of lavender season, the scent still lingers — you can visit the pick your own orchard for pears, corn on the cob, Kent cob hazelnuts and a variety of apples.
The orchard is planted mainly with Norfolk Royal apple trees, with a few rows of Cox and Golden Delicious for cross-pollination. It’s worth noting they only take cash, though prices are good value. The farm shop is well worth a visit in its own right, and there’s a very old quince tree at the front laden with fruit. Picking generally wraps up around mid-October, but it’s a popular spot, so check before you travel.
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Trevaskis Farm, Cornwall
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Enjoy the full countryside experience at Trevaskis Farm in the Cornish outdoors. There’s enough here to keep everyone busy — fruit picking, a shop, a 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 plenty to please 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’ll only pay for what ends up in your basket. Weather is never a problem thanks to all-weather polytunnels and plenty of trees for shelter from the coastal breeze.
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 award-winning cakes, The Balloon Tree in Yorkshire makes for a great day out.
Follow the well-organised pick your own trail through the farm and select whatever’s in season, from the first strawberries in May to the last pumpkin in October. As well as strawberries, you’ll find blueberries, plums and runner beans, and the play area sits right next to the café garden so you can watch the kids while enjoying a cup of tea.
With a kid-sized digger and tractor, a two-storey Wendy house and a climbing frame, little ones will have plenty to keep them busy. Nearby, Animal Corner lets you get hands-on with the farm’s resident 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 offers pick your own cherries, plus strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, pumpkins and even sunflowers. Table-top strawberries make picking easy for little ones too. But it doesn’t end at the fruit — there’s also a café, a funyard and a mega maze.
If you visit during the summer, when 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 playground with trampolines, swings, slides, a fortress and tractors. There’s an entry fee, 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, plus another for older kids (and grown-ups!).
There’s plenty of seating, including spots overlooking the play areas, so you can relax while the kids run around. Even on a busy summer weekend, the farm is well managed with ample parking.
Throughout the year there are seasonal events to enjoy, from Easter egg hunts to choosing your own Christmas tree in December. Pick your own starts in spring and, depending on the season, you’ll find a good range of berries available for family picking.
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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 pick your own, 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.
Picking depends on weather and fruit availability on any given day, so it’s worth checking their Facebook page and website before you set off.
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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 pick their own here. You’ll find rows of gooseberries, raspberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants, followed later in the season by apples, pears, plums and pumpkins, both for eating and cooking.
When you arrive, pick up a biodegradable punnet at the farm shop, then return for weighing once you’re done.
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 the season) from mid-June to early August.
As well as strawberries, you can stock up on broad beans, peas, potatoes, raspberries and blackcurrants.
Hooton’s Homegrown, Brynsiencyn, Anglesey
Hooton’s Homegrown offers a variety of seasonal fruit on a pay-as-you-pick basis. Strawberries are the main attraction, alongside blackcurrants, rhubarb, peas and broad beans.
It’s worth checking their social media for the latest opening times and availability before you visit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should we bring on a pick your own visit?
A basket or punnet is usually provided at the farm, but it’s worth bringing sun cream, weather-appropriate clothing, hand wipes and a picnic if the farm doesn’t have a café. Many farms also sell containers if you don’t have your own.
Do we need to book in advance?
Some smaller, family-run farms only open on certain days and rely on their Facebook page or website to confirm picking availability, so it’s always worth checking before you travel. Larger farms tend to have set seasonal opening hours.
How much does pick your own cost?
Most farms let you pay only for what you pick, weighed at the end, though some charge a small entry fee that’s later deducted from your total. Costs vary from farm to farm and by season, so check directly with the farm for current pricing.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
It depends on the crop. Strawberries are usually ready from late May through summer, while pumpkins are the star of the show in autumn. Many farms grow a mix of soft fruit, vegetables and orchard fruit, so there’s often something to pick across a long season.
Is pick your own suitable for toddlers and younger children?
Yes, most farms welcome all ages, and many have table-top crops that are easy for little hands to reach without bending. Some sites also have play areas, cafés and animal corners to round out the day.
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