Where to pick your own fruit, veg and flowers in Kent

Grab your straw hat and wicker basket: it’s harvest time. From sumptuous strawberries to cheery cherries and blooming bouquets, here’s where to pick your own near you.

Loddington Farm, Maidstone

You’ll want to visit this 5th generation farm working with nature to grow nutritious, environmentally-friendly food with an award-winning farm shop and range of delicious fruit juice under their belt too. Pop along on Sat 13 and Sun 14 July for PYO cherries, open 10am – 4pm. Make sure to hang around for the bacon sarnies, then stroll through the orchards and of course, take home some delicious cherries.

Felderland PYO, Deal

One of the largest PYO farms in Kent, this is the perfect retreat to pick from a wide range of fresh seasonal produce all year round including strawberries, cherries, raspberries, plums, blackberries, sunflowers, apples, pumpkins and more! After all that fun enjoy the coffee hut and farm shop. It’s perfectly located being only a stone’s throw from Canterbury and tucked in-between coastal towns Sandwich and Deal so it’s a great place for a family day out. Fruit availability can change throughout the day so keep an eye on their socials for updates before visiting.

Lower Ladysden, Goudhurst

Is there anything better than fresh fruit and veg you’ve picked yourself? Get yourself to this family-run farm in the heart of the countryside. There’s a range of PYO options available throughout the year from asparagus in April to pumpkins in October and this month you can pick strawberries, raspberries, runner beans and blackberries. Don’t fancy it? there’s delicious produce ready and waiting for you in their award-winning farm shop

Meopham PYO, Broomfield Farm, Meopham

Perhaps the only dog-friendly farm in Kent so you can bring the whole family to Meopham and pick a wide variety of fruit and veg this summer. There’s no need to book, entry is free and everything you pick is charged per kg. Check their social media to see what’s available but you can usually find; gooseberries, strawberries, sunflowers, sweetcorn, apples, blackcurrants, plums, pears, pumpkins, squash and even Christmas trees – when the season allows! Also located on the farm is White Finch Tea Room offering tea, coffee, brunch, homemade cakes, light lunches and afternoon tea. Open every Sat and Sun for PYO, 10am – 4pm until 31 Oct.

Four Winds Farm, Bidborough

Get your tickets asap for the return of the infamous Sunflower Trail! Pick your own sunflowers on Four Winds Farm for one week only, Mon 5 – Sun 11 Aug. Find your way through the maze, enjoy your own picnic on the grass or buy some light refreshments from the coffee truck and of course, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities. Just don’t forget your secateurs!

Stonepitts Farm, Sevenoaks

This friendly local family-run farm sits at the of the North Downs in Seal in Sevenoaks and has some of the most beautiful views over the Vale of Holmesdale, it’s a popular destination for PYO in the summer. There’s strawberries, raspberries and music events during the summer and Christmas trees, wreaths and festive good cheer in the winter.

Hewitts Farm, Orpington

Currently closed but hoping to open later this month (weather permitting), Hewitts Farm is a family-run business set in 78 acres, just outside of Orpington. Growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for PYO like strawberries, plums, redcurrants, gooseberries, and even courgettes and french beans. There’s also a large selection for sale throughout the year in their farm shop. So keep your eyes pealed for this one.

Stanhill Farm, Dartford

Due to popular demand, the strawberries have finished for the year! But you can still pick up strawberries and raspberries in the Farm Shop or pop along to the Berries & Beans Cafe which is open as normal. They might be closed for PYO but there’s still loads of fun to be had with the Maize Maze and Mini Maze which will be opening soon.

Cherry Gardens Farm, Groombridge

Situated on the Kent and East Sussex border near the village of Groombridge, you’ll find a wide variety of cottage garden style flowers and fruits like tayberries and blackcurrants to PYO. Rain or shine, the flower field is open at the same time as the shop, Tues – Sat, 10am – 6pm.

Maynards Farm, Ticehurst

The usual suspects are all ready to be put in your punnet here. At the moment you can pick strawberries, sweet cherries, morello cherries and blackberries, just pay per kilogram. Why not head to the shed for an apple juice or a Maynard’s ice-cream? There is space for picnics too where you can soak up the views over a sandwich.

HAVE CHARMING BASKET, WILL TRAVEL

Tibbs Farm, Tillingham Valley, near Rye

This family farm has been running for almost 70 years making hops, farming sheep and of course, growing fruit! Nestled at the south of the Valley the views are incredibly impressive – the perfect excuse to take a rest when filling up your punnet. The season starts in early June with strawberries and gooseberries and as the month progresses, there’ll be much more. They proudly specialise in six varieties of gooseberries as well as offering strawberries, raspberries, tummelberry and greengage. There is a natural maze to explore and get lost in and a special ‘pig watching’ experience where you can see the outdoor pigs in their den. And you can finish it off with an ice-cream made with the berries on site. 

Roundstone Farm, Angmering, Worthing

Environmental awareness is top of the agenda here, everything is grown using environmentally friendly methods and all the staff are happy to share their knowledge of these techniques. You’re encouraged to bring your own boxes and bags but on offer are degradable plastic bags and re-useable punnets. And what’s more, the crops are accessible by foot but also via a Tractor-Train service that circulates the farm and drops you off at each crop – perfect for little and tired legs. And when it comes to the important part: the picking you’ll be spoilt for choice with a large number of crops from strawberries to sweetcorn, blackcurrants to broccoli and raspberries to runner beans. 

Paternosters Farm, Warninglid, Haywards Heath

Good things come in small packages at this farm which specialises in apples that you can pick from August onwards and into September with Cox, Russet, Bramley, Jonagold and Idared varieties. You can usually stock up on plums and damson too. As a working farm you will see the machinery at work and get an authentic experience. 

Sharnfold Farm, Eastbourne

Pick your own is open from July – but this is a winner for families – not only do they offer a strong selection of fruit and veg to pick including blueberries, strawberries, pepper and marrow there is a special farm trail (that’s flat for pushchairs) and en route you’ll see lots of farm animals including alpacas, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks. There’s also a farm shop and butchers on site, but what’s more, is that the coffee shop overlooks the play area so while the kids are entertained, you will be too with a sweet treat and some caffeine.

Spring Gardens Nursery, Washington, Pulborough

It’s set to be a berrie-tastic summer at the nursery which is waiting to announce the open date for PYO. But it’s hoped that ripe for the picking this summer are going to be raspberries, tayberries and loganberries. There’s also a selection of vegetables too including asparagus, but that never seems quite as fun as the fruit! When it’s time for someone else to do the leg work, the Farm Shop prides itself on only stocking local supplies from artisan breads to local dairy products. And after working up an appetite (picking is intensive labour we’ll have you know) you’ll want to stop via the cafe for a sweet treat. 

Compiled by: Ellie Agnew

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