Fruit Picking in London: Where and When

London is best known for its bustling streets, iconic landmarks, and vibrant culture. But what has fallen out of the radar of many visitors is the many green experiences that London has to offer. If you're looking for a fun and unique way to explore London's green spaces, consider going fruit picking. With several fruit picking locations located within easy reach of the city, fruit picking in London can be a fun and unique way to explore the city and enjoy some fresh produce. Here is a guide to the best locations and times to go fruit picking in London.

Tips and Etiquette

Before we begin, here are some fruit-picking tips and etiquette you should know:

• The produce will usually be charged by weight or by baskets. And you will have to pay for everything that you have picked, so be sure to only pick what you need.
• Some farms charge an ‘entry’ fee. But this fee can be used to offset the charges of your picked produce.
• Eating as you pick is not allowed.
• As weather conditions could greatly impact the availability of produce, it is recommended to check the farm’s official websites and/or social media, or call their hotline to check what is available before heading to the farm.
• The farm ground may be uneven, so you make sure you wear shoes that are comfortable and fit for walking on uneven grounds.

Parkside Farm

mid-June to mid-August | strawberries, raspberries, blackberries

Located in Enfield, Parkside Farm is a family farm that has been around since the 1930s, and it offers fruit picking of table-top strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and other fruits. Since their strawberries are grown on a ‘table-top’ system, you will be able to pick the strawberries without bending down!

Baskets and bags are provided into which you can pick the produce, or if you are planning to pick large quantities, trolleys are also available. The produce will be charged per kg of the fruit or vegetable, and you must pay for everything that you have picked, so only pick what you really want! Take note that you can’t eat the fruits as you walk around the farm.

This year, the farm will be open for a shorter season, from mid-June to mid-August 2023, with a larger focus on fruits rather than vegetables. For a full variety of the different crops, plan to visit in July or August. You can check out the crop calendar to help you plan for your trip. Advanced booking is required to visit the farm

🗺️ Address: Parkside Farm, Hadley Rd, Enfield EN2 8LA, United Kingdom

💰Cost: £4 per adult/child, but fully refundable if you spend above that amount on the picked produce

⏰ Picking Time: Maximum 2 hours

🌐 Advanced Reservations Required:https://tickets.parksidefarmpyo.co.uk/tickets

Hewitt’s Farm

end June / early July - end October | strawberries, pumpkins

Hewitt's Farm, located in Orpington, has been around for over 45 years. They offer fruit picking of various crops from strawberries in July to pumpkins in October! The crop calendar for this year has yet to be announced, but you can stay tuned to their official Facebook page or website for updates of the crops that are available for picking each week.

Outside of the pick-your-own season, they also have a farm shop that sells various produce like eggs, apple and pear juice, raw honey, and biscuits. In December, Christmas trees are also available for sale.

The pick-your-own season for this year is targeted to start around early July, but stay tuned to their official sites for any updates.

🗺️ Address: Court Rd., Chelsfield, Orpington BR6 9BX, United Kingdom

💰Cost: No entry fee.

🌐 Advanced reservations not required unless you are visiting as a large group

Crockford Bridge Farm

end-April to end-October | asparagus, strawberries, gooseberries, redcurrants

Crockford Bridge Farm opens its pick-your-own season in late Spring, ahead of other farms. The season typically lasts until end October, and closes for Winter. Crockford Bridge specialises in strawberries, but not to worry if you won’t be around for the summer strawberry season — there is a variety of other produce that you can look out for. The picking season has started for Rhubarb and Asparagus, and fruits are targeted to be available from June. Check out their website for the crop calendar of what is available to be picked.

Outside the summer picking season, they also have various events ranging from Easter events to Halloween and Christmas. There is also a gelato ice cream bar for you to cool down after a day’s out in the sun! The ice cream bar is currently closed for refurbishment, but is expected to reopen by the pick-your-own season this year. The farm has also been featured many times on TV, and has served as a backdrop to many films.

If you are travelling by public transport, we suggest you take the train. You might have to walk a distance from the station to the farm, but the buses that can bring you to the farm are not exactly the most reliable.

🗺️ Address: New Haw Rd, Weybridge, Addlestone KT15 2BU, United Kingdom

💰Cost: £4 per adult/£2 per child, but fully refundable if you spend above that amount on the picked produce

🌐 Advanced reservations required for summer picking season:https://crockfordbridgefarm.digitickets.co.uk/tickets (If you are visiting in late Spring for the Rhubarb / Asparagus, advance reservations are not required)

Hawkswick Lodge Farm

mid-June to mid-August | strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, redcurrants

Hawkswick Lodge Farm is a family-run spot that specialises in soft fruits like berries and currants. They're pick-your-own season generally from mid-June to mid-August. This year, it is expected to begin on 24 June, subject to weather conditions. A general guideline would be for strawberries to be available throughout the season, raspberries and blackberries ending by end July, red currants in July-August, and blackcurrants being available only in July. However, this is subject to weather conditions and changes, and if there is a specific fruit that you would like to pick, it is recommended to keep a look out on their official website or call their hotline at 01727 831224 before heading down.

If you are planning to go to Hawkswick Lodge Farm, we recommend that you drive there. The farm is located at St Albans, and is a little more complicated to get to by public transport, though not impossible.

🗺️ Address: Harpenden Rd, St Albans AL3 6JG, United Kingdom

💰Cost: £3 per adult/child, but fully refundable if you spend above that amount on the picked produce

🌐 Advanced reservations not required

Stanhill Farm

June to October | Strawberries, Raspberries, Sunflowers, Pumpkins

Stanhill Farm is located at Dartford, about an hour’s drive away from central London. They have a rather long pick-your-own season, starting from strawberry and raspberry season in June until pumpkin season in October. For those who are interested in flowers and looking to bring a bouquet home, they also have fields of sunflowers in August and September. Similarly, keep a look out for the crop calendar on their website and social media platforms to plan your fruit-picking trip!

During the summer, the farm also has a maize maze, where you can get to navigate through a maze made out of maize crop. There will be games and stations within the maze that you can enjoy, and it is expected that you will take about 1.5 hours to complete the maze. Maize is not fit for human consumption though, so don’t pick the maize crop along the way!

🗺️ Address: The Farm House, Birchwood Rd, Dartford DA2 7HD, United Kingdom

💰Cost: £3.50 per punnet of strawberry

🌐 Advanced reservations not required

Maynards Fruit Farm

June to September | strawberries, rhubarb, cherries, plums, apples

Of all the farms on this list, Maynards Fruit Farm is the furthest out from London. But it also has one of the best varieties of fruits to choose from. Not only does it offer the classic strawberries and raspberries, you can expect to pick rhubarb, cherries, plums, and apples. The pick-your-own season and available crops for this year has not been announced, but based on the regular fruit picking season, we should be looking at sometime between June to September. For more updates on the availability of the crops, watch out for announcements on their official website and socials.

Maynards Fruit Farm also has dedicated picnic areas for those who wish to sit down and enjoy their freshly-picked produce. And since the farm is located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can be sure to enjoy some amazing views along with your freshly picked fruits!

🗺️ Address: Windmill Hill/Cross La, Wadhurst TN5 7HQ, United Kingdom

💰Cost: No entry fee.

🌐 Advanced reservations not required