The best PYO farms close to London
Berry picking in and around London isn't as exotic as it might sounds. We love to go berry picking in summer as a family activity. There are so many small little farms (and some bigger ones). We always pick as much as we can manage, and what I mean is as long as the kids actually enjoy it and make lots of yummy things at home. This year, we made a delicious Victoria Sponge, Jam and Ice cream which is always a firm favourite.
If you don't want to take baskets full of fruit, take one and make some beautiful family memories.
Don't forget to take your husband, someone needs to 'schlepp' the little baskets at the end.
Garsons Farm
Garsons Farm is the firm favourite of our family. It's located in the beautiful little village of Esher, just outside of SW. This is a really big farm with 155 acres of land. They not only have all different kinds of berries, but you can also harvest french beans, carrots and other vegetables. Most of the strawberries hang in baskets and are super easy to pick. After the hard work, we usually enjoy the garden centre and shop where we somehow always end up buying some more plants for our garden. My husband loves the bbq area where he can buy his weber woodchips for smoking.
Garsons has its own café/restaurant on the side where we either have a little lunch or supper. Toilets are spacious and super clean, which I always think is a big plus with kids on board.
It's the perfect day out with little ones.
Don't forget a sunhat, water and a camera to document the new-made memories!
Note: You need to book a pass in advance.
£4 which is fully redeemable against your fruit and veg
card payment available
Website: www.garsons.co.uk
Tip: Make sure to walk around the Pond and the area surrounding the farm. Esher is an incredibly picturesque little town with its own high street and a racecourse.
T & M Produce
T & M Produce is located in Dartford and belongs to Stanhill Farm. It is a lot more relaxed and rural with open strawberry fields. There is a little shop to buy some fruits and vegetables or have a drink and snack.
You pay for the basket and can fill it to the brim.
While this might be not as polished and entertaining as Garsons Farm is, my children had lots of fun and we picked two huge baskets full of delicious strawberries.
No need to book in advance, just turn up and enjoy
Card payment is available.
It's open fields and no shade so sunscreen, sunhat and water are essential!
Website: Stanhill Farm
Parkside Farm
Located in the North of London, this PYO has everything you need.
On their website, they call themselves "The home of Pick Your Own". True to this motto, they offer an abundance of fruit and vegetables to pick and harvest in compostable bags and little cardboard punnets and even some trolleys to wheel everything around. They offer free parking, just like the other two.
The PYO is well-organised and has little signs to guide your way around the farm.
Toilets and a small shop are also on-site.
Note: You need to book a pass in advance.
£4 which is fully redeemable against your fruit and veg
card payment only
Website: Parkside Farm
