Guide to fruit picking in and around London

Situated in the heart of Surrey, this renowned garden centre and farm shop holds numerous awards. It boasts a prime location, only a quick train journey away from the bustling centre of London. Within its premises lies one of the largest pick-your-own farms in the entire country, teeming with an abundance of fresh fruits, like strawberries and raspberries, vegetables, and colourful flowers. From early June to late October, visitors can handpick the available produce grown across their 150 acres. Admission prices are super affordable, with a farm pass for adults priced under five pounds, while children can enjoy the experience for just one pound.

Take full advantage of the huge 50-acre fruit-picking haven at Parkside Farm in Enfield. Here, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in plums, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and a delightful variety of other fruits. Once you've hand-picked your desired fruits and veggies, you can weigh them and take them home to eat or freeze them for a later date. What's convenient is that the fruit is cultivated on raised platforms, saving you from the strain of constantly bending down. To reach this picturesque destination, you can board the train to Gordon Hill station in Enfield, followed by a brisk 25-minute stroll to Parkside.

You'll find Hawkswick Lodge Fruit Farm just north of St. Albans in Hertfordshire, a short train ride or drive from London. This family-run farm specialises in growing soft fruits like strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries and more. You can pick to your heart's content; they'll provide you with a basket, and you can fill it with all the berries you can possibly fit.

Nestled in the scenic West Sussex, near the charming village of Ashington, lies the century-old Spring Garden Nursery. This Sussex-based farm offers the chance to pick everything from strawberries, cherries, boysenberries, and raspberries to plums, tayberries, blackberries, asparagus, sweetcorn, broad beans, potatoes, and an abundance of other fruits and vegetables. As an added bonus, the farm also houses a charming farm shop and café, providing the perfect setting to relax and unwind after a picking session.

Maynards is a picturesque family-run farm in East Sussex, perfect for fruit picking. It's one of the oldest fruit farms in the country and offers a variety of delicious fruits from mid-Spring to Autumn, including strawberries, plums, apples, blackberries, and cherries. After picking, relax at a nearby cosy country pub for a refreshing pint surrounded by lush countryside.

You'll find a wide variety of fruits to pick at this Kent-based farm, ranging from juicy strawberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants to redcurrants, blackberries, plums, and more. In addition to the fruit-picking experience, there's the Downingbury Farm Shop & Café, where you can stock up on pantry essentials such as preserves, juices, wine, ale, and a selection of tasty deli items. There's also a cosy coffee shop where you can enjoy a cup of something hot before or after your picking expedition.

In Kent, you'll find Stanhill Farm, a family-owned farm just a short journey from London. With 150 acres of land, Max and Toby have cultivated over 30 fruits and veggies for visitors to come and hand-pick. Refuel at the farm's Berries & Beans Café with hot drinks and tasty treats before heading to the Maize Maze for added fun, perfect for kids. Stanhill Farm in Kent offers a wholesome day out, from picking produce to enjoying refreshments amidst the beautiful countryside.

Enjoy picking your own fruit at this family-run pick-your-own farm in Buckinghamshire, located east of Uxbridge. This delightful soft fruit and apple farm offers a wide selection of hand-picked apples, blackberries, pears, plums, raspberries, and more. Explore the farm, where you can encounter adorable farmyard animals, from bustling broods of chickens to peaceful grazing sheep. Don't miss the on-site farm shop, where you'll find a variety of homegrown goodies, including jars of honey made on-site.

This sprawling 78-acre family-operated Orpington farm is a haven for those who like to pick their own produce, offering a bounty of fruits and vegetables ripe for picking. During the summer, ranging from strawberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants to spinach, chard, and beetroot. Or, wait until early autumn when the apples are at their peak and enjoy complimentary tractor rides every Sunday.

Situated near Weybridge in Surrey, Crockford Bridge Farm is a bustling family-owned farm. Visitors can pick to their heart's content with over 20 crop varieties, including asparagus, strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb, and blackcurrants. The farm also offers homegrown Christmas trees during the festive season and pumpkins in autumn.

For those interested in picking their own produce at this Hertfordshire farm, you better act fast – their strawberries, blackcurrants, and raspberries are highly sought after and tend to be swiftly picked by eager visitors. For just a small price, you can fill your punnet with juicy July strawberries. Plus, if you time your visit well, you might even get some redcurrants to freeze and enjoy with your Christmas meal.