Desperate to go fruit picking in London? Trawling the internet for the best pick your own farms in your local area? Unsure when blackberry season starts in the UK? Desperate to go strawberry picking while the sun shines?

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one: we are all undeniably obsessed with adopting the idyllic Scandi lifestyle, yet one of the easiest ways to inject a bit of Nordic magic into our lives is to stop trawling the fruit and veg stands at our local supermarket, and get out and forage for fresh, seasonal goodies instead.

Anu Partanen, author of The Nordic Theory Of Everything: In Search Of A Better Life, told Stylist: “In Helsinki at the weekend, everyone goes foraging.

“While in London your social media might be full of friends at the latest pop-up, mine is people competing over how many mushrooms they’ve found.”

With that in mind, there’s no better time to consider picking your own food. And, whether you’re in the mood for sweet berries, juicy orchard fruits, or fresher-than-fresh vegetables, you’re sure to find a pick-your-own farm right here in the UK to suit you.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to make the most of your summer, get outdoors, and enjoy all that country life has to offer.

Strawberry picking season:

Britain’s strawberry season kicks off in early May, reaching its peak in June and July. And, as long as the weather holds, strawberry fans can enjoy picking these delicious red berries well into August and even September.

Blackberry picking season:

Blackberries tend to ripen in mid to late summer and throughout early autumn, with juicy blackberries found in abundance from mid-July through to September. 

Gooseberry season:

Gooseberries typically come into season during the midst of summer in June and July.

Plum season:

Late July marks the start of plum season, as the deliciously succulent fruit ripen on the branch. You’ll need to be quick, though, as the season can be quite short - coming to a close in late August. 

Apple season:

The main harvest tends to take place in September and October.

1) Peterley Manor Farm in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

There are over 20 acres of crops for you to ramble over and pick your own fruit from, including strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, colourful beetroot, and superfoods like kale and blueberries. However it all depends on what is in season, so do check their website first.
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

There’s no minimum spend here; it all depends on how much your bag weighs when you get to the checkout at the end.
 

What else can I do there?

You can walk around the stunning grounds and check out the local wildlife, including the roe deer, ducks, red kites, woodpeckers, and owls. There’s also a herd of alpacas on-site, not to mention a farm shop where you can buy local honey and fresh, seasonal produce from the surrounding area. There’s also the ‘pop-up’ restaurant inside the yurt, better known to regulars as the Wild Strawberry Café. Think homemade brunch, lunch, and afternoon tea – or a simple hot bevvy and a cake, if you’re feeling peckish.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

2) West Cragie Farm Shop in Edinburgh, Scotland

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

Raspberries, strawberries, cherries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, broad beans, plums, redcurrants, pumpkins, peas, brambles, and big, beautiful sunflowers.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

The folk at Craigie’s Farm operate a £3 minimum spend system, which is payable on entry and redeemable against any fruit and veg you may pick.

What else can I do there?

There is a café, butchers, and deli at the farm, as well as a gorgeously scenic walking and cycling trail. And, if you’re feeling the call of your inner WI member, there are even experts on hand to give you their top tips on jam-making.

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

3) Garsons Farm in Esher, Surrey

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

There’s a huge list of fruit and vegetables available to pick at Garsons Farm, including; apples, blackcurrants, broccoli, carrots, marrows, cauliflowers, potatoes, onions, sweetcorn, and summer flowers.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

It varies from 99p to £4.99 per kg, depending on what you’ve picked.

What else can I do there?

There is an award-winning garden centre and farm shop on site, not to mention a restaurant, spa and pool centre.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

4) Durleighmarsh Farm in Petersfield, Hampshire

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

With over 100 acres dedicated to their popular asparagus crops, it seems silly to visit Durleighmarsh without filling your bag with the hero vegetable. However there is plenty else to tickle your taste-buds; you can fill up your baskets with blueberries, strawberries, sunberries, tayberries, plums, sweetcorn, courgettes, herbs, and flowers, to name just a few.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

Again, it’s a weigh-and-pay system – but there’s a 10% discount to be had if you turn up on a Wednesday.

What else can I do there?

The family-run farm also features a well-stocked shop, where you can buy a batch of freshly-baked cakes, artisan breads, and plenty more delicious goodies on top. Alexandra’s Kitchen also runs a Tea Barn on site, which is well worth checking out if you fancy a truly tasty lunchtime treat.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

5) Crockford Bridge Farm in Addlestone, Surrey

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

With 75 acres to browse, and twenty crops to choose from, there are plenty of delicious fruit and vegetables to be found at Crockford, such as asparagus, tomatoes, spinach, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries, and rhubarb.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

It all depends on what you’ve picked up during your foraging session – and how much of it, too.

What else can I do there?

Cool down at the on-site ice cream parlour, browse the gourmet foods at the farm shop, shop for plants and flowers at the garden centre, get a hot bevvy at the tea shack, or enjoy seasonal activities, such as pumpkin carving.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

6) Essington Fruit Farm in Essington, Wolverhampton

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

You can stick to the usual strawbs here, or you can venture out into the world of cauliflowers, broccoli, cabbages, leeks, and courgettes. In short, you have everything you need for a homemade ratatouille - which is always a big plus, in our books.
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

You know the drill by this point; they’re going to weigh your basket at the end, so try not to eat anything before you get to the tills, okay?
 

What else can I do there?

The Simkins have farmed in Essington since 1892, which means that their cosy family business is a must-visit spot if you ever find yourself in Wolverhampton. You can visit their on-site butchers, farm shop, and deli, as well as the country kitchen for a taste of some proper home cooking.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

7) The Balloon Tree in Gate Helmsley, Yorkshire

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

From the first strawberries in May, to the last pumpkin in October, there is plenty for you to find at the Balloon Tree’s PYO crops. Don’t believe us? They’ve got peas, strawberries, broad beans, raspberries, asparagus, gooseberries, runner beans, and plenty more healthy goodies, too. Do check the website before you head out if you have a fancy for something particular; they have all their crop calendars there.
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

There’s no entry fee or minimum spend at The Balloon Tree; you only pay for the fruit you pick.
 

What else can I do there?

There’s a lovely little farm shop and two cafes on site, or you can take a picnic out to their landscaped gardens if the sun is shining. There’s also a spot where you can feed the local goats, too.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

8) Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre in Holt, Wrexham           

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

If you love strawberries, this is the place for you; they even have an extra-special selection of table-top strawbs undercover, for you to pick when the weather turns. In the meantime, they also have raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, loganberries, redcurrants, rhubarb, peas, beans, and more for you to get stuck into.
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

As is so often the case, they work on a pay-by-weigh system – albeit with no minimum spend.
 

What else can I do there?

If you’re hoping for a truly sweet experience, we recommend trying the Strawberry Fields Restaurant, where you can make like the Queen of Hearts and dine on strawberry tarts, strawberry cream scones, and strawberry crumble pie. There’s also a shop dedicated to jam-making, not to mention a well-stocked garden centre, farm shop, and pet care department at this historic farm.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

9) Ansty PYO & Farm Shop in Salisbury, Wiltshire

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

You’ll definitely taste the freshness when you pick your own at Ansty. Depending on the time of year, you’ll be able to find rhubarb, asparagus, potatoes, leeks, onions, courgettes, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, sweetcorn, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg lettuce!
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

You can fill your boots - or your baskets - as much or as little as you like; there’s no entry fee here.
 

What else can I do there?

There are plenty of animals to visit at the farm, including 300 chickens, 50 ducks, 30 bantams, and nine pigs. There’s also a thriving farm shop and tea room, which allows you to sit down for a moment and relax with a cuppa as you enjoy your surroundings. And, if that’s not enough for you, there’s also an enormous Maize Maze for you to get lost in during the summer - we recommend leaving a trail of breadcrumbs behind you, just in case. 
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

10) Brocksbushes Farm in Stocksfield, Newcastle

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

The picking fields are at Brocksbushes are devoted to the soft fruits of summer, so you can expect to find tayberries, redcurrants, strawberries, blackcurrants, plums, and plenty more to sink your teeth into.
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

Entry is £1 per person, as well as a £1 refundable deposit for each PYO basket that you take into the fields. The fruits and veg that you pick will be weighed and priced up accordingly.
 

What else can I do there?

Once you’ve worked up your appetite in the picking fields, you can gorge yourself on homemade cakes, quiches, scones, pies, and tempting desserts. The tea room is also licensed to sell alcohol, so you can even enjoy a cheeky wine or beer with your hard-earned lunch, too!
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

11) Kenyon Hall Farm in Croft, Warrington

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

There are 35 acres of fruit and vegetables for you to peruse at this beautiful PYO farm, which includes crops devoted to their famous strawberries, dessert gooseberries, tayberries, maize, squashes, red onions, white currants, blackberries, and broad beans.
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

To give you an idea of what you’ll be spending, it’s around £4.99 per kg of strawbs.
 

What else can I do there?

There’s a spacious outdoor picnic area, as well as a friendly café, farm shop, ice cream stall, and children’s play area. Throw in the family of piglets, the countless summer fairs, and the idyllic landscape, and you have a winner for a day out.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

12) Over Farm in Gloucester, Gloucestershire

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

There are 80 different varieties of fruit and veg growing at Over Farm, so you can, quite literally, take your pick. Their speciality, however, is their plump and juicy strawberries; in fact, all their strawbs are grown on table tops, so you can pick them without any backbreaking bending down!
 

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

There is no admission fee at Over Farm – but they will still weigh your basket at the end, so don’t go too crazy…
 

What else can I do there?

You can visit and feed the farm’s local critters, which includes pigs, ostriches, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, donkeys, and ponies. There’s also an outdoor cinema (depending on the time of year), a tea room, and plenty of fun events booked in throughout the year.
 

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

13) Parkside Farm in Enfield, Middlesex

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

Parkside Farm boasts a huge range of PYO produce, including “table-top” strawberries (no bending required), raspberries, blackberries, black/redcurrants, broadbeans, spinach and many vegetables. Check their handy crop calendar here.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

There is a minimum spend of £4 per person at Parkside.

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

14) McLauchlans of Boxted, in Colchester, Essex

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

All the classics; strawberries, blackberries, gooseberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants and sweetcorn.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

It is all done on weight at McLauchlans. However, they only accept debit and credit cards when spending over £5.

What else can I do there?

There is a farm shop on site, which stocks local produce including potatoes from a neighbouring village and cream from a local dairy. Freshly frozen fruit is also available throughout the year.

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

15) Graveley Fruit Farms in Hitchin, Hertfordshire

What fruit and veg can I pick here?

You’ll find lots of classics at Graveley Fruit Farms, including strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants.

How much does it cost to pick fruit and veg here?

Again, fruits are weighed and priced accordingly. However, entrance is free!

What else can I do there?

Graveley boasts a children’s adventure playground, tractor and trailer rides, pet pigs for feeding, café and car boots sales (the car boot site is also a hot air balloon takeoff point!).

Where can I find out more?

Visit their website for more details.

This article was originally published in June 2016, but has been updated throughout to ensure all information is current and up to date.

Images: Georgia de Lotz/Unsplash/Getty