Looking to go fruit picking in London? Here’s all the best spots.
We don’t know about you, but our version of the perfect British summer includes Pimms, classic beach trips, and an afternoon of berry picking – luckily for you, there’s a couple of choices in the capital so you can get your fruit picking fix.
When it comes to strawberry picking, London has well and truly got it covered. But venture even further to the outskirts of London and the neighbouring counties, and plenty of PYO fruit farms filled with more unique offerings await.
Here are our favourites.
Best Spots for Fruit Picking in London
Parkside Farm
Enfield
If you are looking to go fruit picking in North London, Parkside Farm is the perfect spot, with rows and rows of bushes dedicated to an array of fruit.
Currently in season on the farm are raspberries, strawberries, redcurrants, and blackcurrants, as well as some lovely vegetables. Seriously, there’s so much that you even get a detailed map on arrival.
Parkside also has their own farm shop, where they sell their honey, meringues, and refreshments for after you’ve picked.
Price: Pre-booking is essential – tickets cost £4 per person, which is taken off the cost of your fruit at the end.
How to get there: Take a train from central London to Gordon Hill, and it’s then a short walk or bus ride (W8 or the 313) to get to the farm.
Hewitt’s Farm
Orpington
Hewitt’s Farm is another London PYO fruit farm that’s conveniently located on the outskirts of the capital. They’ve currently got strawberries, redcurrants, and blackcurrants, as well as spinach and beetroot for you to choose between.
Hewitt’s Farm is a few weeks away from the autumn fruit being ready to pick – from mid-August you’ll find apples and plums on the farm, and they also have plenty of pumpkins towards Halloween.
Price: No need to book. Just turn up and pay for what you pick.
How to get there: The easiest way to get here is to take a train from London Bridge to Knockholt. After that, it’s a ten-minute walk to Hewitt’s Farm.
Garsons Farm
Esher
Lying just on the outskirts between Surrey and London, Garsons Farm and attached garden centre is a brilliant place to pick your own fruit.
This is, without doubt, the fruit farm in London with the most options – you’ve got strawberries, assorted currants, cherries, and sunflowers, as well as plenty of veg options.
Price: You need to book a farm pass to get into the farm. These can be booked here for £4 per adult and £1 per child.
How to get there: Take a train from Waterloo to Hersham, and from there it’s an easy walk or a bus to the farm.
Further Afield: Where to go Fruit Picking Near London
Maynards
Ticehurst
Situated in the pretty village of Ticehurst in East Sussex, Maynards Fruit Farm has one of the best selections of fruit on offer.
The farm is actually inside the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – so, not only are you getting to pick fruit, but you’re also getting some incredible views.
Alongside your classic summer berries, they currently have rhubarb, cherries, and tangy gooseberries for you to feast your eyes upon. Commence the struggle to not munch as you make your way around the farm.
Price: There’s no need to book. Just turn up on the day and pay for your fruit.
How to get there: Maynards is a little tricky to get to via public transport, so I recommend driving here. It takes just over an hour from South London.
Crockford Bridge Farm
Weybridge
Crockford Bridge Farm is a pick your own farm near London with a difference.
You’ll probably recognise this farm as it’s no stranger to the big screen, with appearances on Made in Chelsea and This Morning a common occurrence. They also have some pretty famous Christmas trees in the winter too.
Currently, you’ve got plenty of berries to choose from. And once you’ve finished, there’s a rustic shack where you can get ice cream and afternoon tea with the kiddies.
Did I mention that there’s a pop-up rum bar?
Price: You must book in advance. Tickets cost £4 (plus a sneaky 50p booking fee).
How to get there: Despite being less than an hour from the capital, it’s surprisingly tricky to get here on public transport. If you can, I recommend driving, or you can take a train from Waterloo to Woking and then jump on the 456 bus to Westerham Close.
Flower Farm
Godstone
Flower Farm in Godstone is like a mecca of all things farm-related.
Not only can you pick your own fruit, but there’s also a pub garden and a tap room, as well as a flower farm shop where you can buy local meats and ciders.
Available fruits right now are strawberries and raspberries, but they’re soon to be joined by cherries and plums towards the end of August, and pumpkins later in the year.
Price: No need to book, just turn up and let them know in the shop that you would like to PYO.
How to get there: The farm is located an easy 20-minute drive from South London, with the nearest train station being Godstone South.
Stanhill Farm
Kent
Located just outside of the pretty village of Hextable, Stanhill Farm has all the fruit picking you could possibly want.
At the moment you’ll be able to find strawberries, raspberries, and courgettes on the farm, with a spooky pumpkin patch opening up later in the year.
This is also a brilliant one to take the kids to as there’s a maize maze opening in Summer 2021 (although, there’s nothing stopping the adults from having a go).
Price: You don’t need to pre-book but you’ll be charged £1 per person for entry, which is redeemable against the fruit that you pick.
How to get there: Take a short train from London Bridge to New Eltham, followed by the 233 bus towards Swanley. Or it’s an hour’s drive from central London.
Downingbury Farm
Tunbridge Wells
Picking your own fruit at Downingbury Farm could not be more simple. Turn up with your own container, pick your scrumptious fruit, and pay. Et voila.
The farm has plenty of fruit in season across most of the year – right now you’ll find strawberries and currants, but as we move into the colder months Downingbury offers plums, apples, and blackberries for you to take home with you.
Price: Booking isn’t necessary, just turn up and pay for your fruit.
How to get there: Take a train from London Bridge to Tonbridge, and then hop on bus 208A towards Stone Court Lane. Alternatively, it’s a 90 minute drive from central London.
Roundstone Farm
Worthing
With a tagline boasting the largest selection of PYO fruits in England, you know you’re getting a great deal at Roundstone Farm.
Fruit-wise, there’s strawberries, currants, gooseberries, and rhubarb to choose between. If you’re after veggies, there’s courgette, carrots, onions, and beetroot (and many, many more options). Have fun trying to contain yourself.
The best part? There’s a little tractor ride that takes you between each fruit and veg station if walking seems too arduous.
Price: You only pay for the fruit. Just turn up on the day with your basket.
How to get there: It’s a 2 hour drive – worth it for the biiig selection of fruit and veg though.
Lathcoats Farm
Chelmsford
One of the best places for fruit picking near London is Lathcoats Farm.
A variety of berries are available to be picked during the summer season, although they ask you to use their baskets that can be purchased at the shop beforehand. As the weather turns cooler, they offer lots of apples and plums.
The farm actually specialises in apples, and I highly recommend taking an orchard tour in September.
Price: Pre-booking is essential. Tickets cost £2.10.
How to get there: It’s only 45 minutes away by car from North East London, or take a train to Chelmsford followed by the 42 bus.
Grays Farm
Wokingham
Where better to pick your own fruit near London than at award-winning PYO farm, Grays Farm?
Head to Wokingham, and you’ll be able to bring home the likes of strawberries, currants, raspberries, rhubarb, and tomatoes (yes, tomatoes are a fruit, don’t fight me on this).
The farm actually planted over 10 miles worth of strawberries over recent years, so they’ve got it covered for the next few strawberry seasons.
Price: No need to book or pay an entry fee, just pay for what you pick.
How to get there: You can get a train from Paddington to Wokingham with a change at Reading. The Farm is a short walk away.
Cobbs Farm Shop
Hungerford
Located in the Chilterns, not too far from London, is Cobbs Farm Shop.
Make sure to keep an eye on their instagram, as this is where they update all their PYO news – currently they’ve got gooseberries for you to pick at the farm.
Whether you want to go fruit-picking or not, this is one of my favourite farm shops. They’ve got an extensive selection of fresh produce available, as well as a cafe serving up delicious treats.
Price: Pre-booking is not usually necessary, and you just pay for what you pick.
How to get there: Public transport is tricky, but it takes less than 2 hours by car to get to Cobbs Farm Shop.
Hawkswick Lodge Farm
St Albans
After recently reopening, Hawkswick Lodge Farm is back and better than ever.
This popular pick your own farm near London has plenty of strawberries, currants, and gooseberries available right now. And, luckily, their raspberries are just coming into season too. Prepare to have all your berry needs met at this farm.
Price: No need to pre-book, but there’s a £3 entrance fee.
How to get there: The simplest way to get to Hawkswick Lodge Farm is by taking a train from St Pancras to St Albans, followed by a short bus ride to the farm. If you want to drive, it takes around 90 minutes from central London.
Avalon Garden Centre & PYO
Surrey
Avalon Garden Centre & PYO is a charming garden centre in the sleepy village of Churt. It’s smaller, but the garden centre has a real family vibe to it, which I love.
At the moment, you can pick strawberries and blueberries, and later in the year the centre offers apples and plums, too.
Alongside the PYO section and the actual garden centre, there’s a cosy tea room and gift shop, so you can stock up on all your fruit-picking souvenirs.
Price: It’s free, so just turn up on the day and pay for what you pick.
How to get there: The easiest way to get to Avalon Garden Centre is by making the 90-minute drive to Surrey.
Copas Farm
Iver
Copas Farm at Iver offers up some of the tastiest strawberries near London.
You can also grab raspberries (although, they recommend coming in the morning for those), gooseberries, and currants from the PYO spot.
For the best apple picking London and its surrounding areas has to offer, head to the farm in August and September, and try to resist the crunchiest British apples.
Price: You’ll need to book a £4 ticket in advance.
How to get there: Handily located in Iver, you can either drive for 50 minutes to get here or take a train to Iver from Paddington, followed by a short bus or 30-minute walk.
Home Cottage Farm
Buckinghamshire
Blackberries and strawberries are the name of the game at Home Cottage Farm. They’re also pretty hot property, meaning that you’ll want to check ahead and see if they still have any before heading on down – the place has been known to close picking season early due to high demand.
If that’s the case, things usually pick up again by August when their apples, pears and plums come into fruit and they open doors again to a whole new group of pickers.
One last pointer: make sure to grab yourself a jar of their honey from the farm shop. They make it themselves – well, their collection of bees do it for them.
Price: Free to enter, just pay for what you pick
How to get there: You’re probably best off driving, but you can take the tube to Uxbridge then jump on the 607 bus.
Fruit Picking in and Around London: Practical Tips
- Make sure to call ahead and check if the farm still has fruit left to be picked. PYO days out in London are becoming hugely popular and as a result there isn’t as much fruit around as there used to be. Because of that some farms will turn people away. You don’t want to travel all that way and come back empty handed.
- It’s a good idea to take sun cream and sun protective clothing – you’re going to be outside for long stretches of the day. No need to come home looking as red as an apple.
- Take a refillable water bottle. You’ll want to keep drinking lots of water throughout the day, especially when it’s hot. The farms will be more than happy to fill them up for you.
- If you plan to bring kids, check that’s OK beforehand. These are still working farms and they might not want a little one running around when they’re operating heavy machinery.
