One of the things I love most about British Summer is the delicious variety of local fruit that appears this season. If you’re in need of an outdoor activity to entertain kids, or just need to get out of your own indoor rut, pick your own farms are a great option! There are many choices for a kids day out fruit picking in Sussex or Surrey, all also within a reasonable drive from London.
How Long to Spend at a Pick Your Own Fruit Farm
How long you’ll spend actively picking will depend on how much fruit you want to bring home. Honestly, it probably also depends on the attention span of any kiddos you bring along. I went recently with my tween who thankfully isn’t too cool for this kind of thing. She’s as speedy as an adult, though, so we were in and out of the strawberry field in under an hour. Two mums in the field with toddlers were taking things much slower to accommodate little legs and time to chase butterflies.
In addition to actually picking fruit, many farms also have tea rooms for lunch and farm shops with local and seasonal products on offer. Some have additional activities and play areas for before or after visiting the pick your own fields. You can easily make this a relaxed day trip if you factor in travel time and plan for shopping and lunch or tea.
Cost of Fruit Picking
Fruit picking is most often charged by weight. Some farms require a pre-booking entry fee that will be taken off the value of fruit picked. Details of each farm’s requirements are below.
Will My Kid Have Fun?
My tween still has a great time, but this has always been her jam. I think strawberries are particularly great for littles as you get to root around in the plant a bit to find the berries and don’t have to worry about thorns. With that said, any kid that’s into nature and can be bribed with treats will probably have a grand time.
What to Bring?
Some places welcome you to bring your own container, but best to check ahead especially in light of any covid restrictions. If you do bring a container, ask for it to be weighed before you start picking so that the container weight can be subtracted when you pay. If you don’t want to bring your own container, you can pick up a punnet or basket to use at the farm.
Can I Bring my Dog?
Usually, no. Some farms allow dogs on site but will still prohibit them from the picking fields. It’s hard to argue with this as no one really wants to pick their fruit near the remnants of a dog poo.
Where and When to Find Pick Your Own Farms | Sussex
New House Farm in Horsham
Strawberries are open for picking now! I just visited recently with my daughter and I can vouch that the strawberries here are delicious. The fields aren’t huge, but there were plenty of strawberries to find.
In addition to the pick your own fields, there is a lovely farm shop and tea room on site. They are also located near part of the Riverside Walk around Horsham. This makes the tea room outdoor seating popular with walkers and cyclists.
No need to pre-book. Open daily from 10am-4pm.
Spring Gardens Nursery in Pulborough
Located near the South Downs National Park, this one is in a very beautiful area. Pick your own harvesting includes: strawberries, cherries, raspberries, black currants, red currants, plums, tayberries, loganberries, boysenberries, black berries. If that’s not enough, they also have veggies like asparagus, sweet corn, broad beans, runner beans, beetroot and potatoes. Check their website to see what’s open for harvesting now.
A farm shop and café are also available. The café looks very able to provide you with something delicious that will also look great on your Instagram.
No need to pre-book, but check ahead for any event closures. Open 9am-4pm Monday to Saturday.
Roundstone Farm in Worthing
If you fancy a trip to the seaside along with your fruit picking, you’ll be most of the way there when you stop at Roundstone Farm. This farm claims to have the biggest and best selection of pick your own crops in the South of England. The list of fruit and vegetables is indeed too long to list in full here, but they have the typical strawberries and raspberries, along with less common options like rhubarb. Check their website for what’s open to harvest now.
This farm does stick to the selling point of picking your own fruit and veg, so no café or tea room. However, they do have a free tractor train to ride between fields for a sure hit with the kids.
No need to pre-book. Open daily from 9am-5pm, but check the weather as they do close when it’s raining.
Maynards Fruit in Ticehurst
From the largest to the oldest, Maynards claims to be one of the longest established pick your own fruit farms in the UK. Based in East Sussex, this farm focuses solely on fruit. They produce blackcurrants on scale for Ribena, so no need to worry that there won’t be enough to choose from on your visit. A seasonal shed sells juices and ice cream on site. There are also several country pubs nearby if you’re in need of something more substantial.
No need to pre-book. Open daily in the summer from 9am to 6pm.
Sharnfold Farm in Eastbourne
Fruit picking is only one of a whole slate of entertainment at Sharnfold Farm. There are many farm animals to visit, as well as a farm trail and play area. Amenities include a coffee shop, farm shop and butcher. The fruit picking is not the main draw, but this location would work well if you want to make a day out of several activities for your kids. Recommend checking ahead if you are going for fruit picking to ensure this activity is open and what fruits are on offer.
No need to pre-book, but entrance fees apply for the farm trail and play area. Season tickets are also available and a good bargain if you live in the area. Open 9:30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 9:30am to 4pm on Sundays.
Stanhill Farm in Wilmington
The Farm Shop at Stanhill Farm is a draw in itself. Stocking their own produce and more from neighbouring farms, the shop also includes items from Spitalfield Market in London. If you want a country experience with the kind of variety you’d expect from a large market, this is the right spot for you! Pick your own strawberries and raspberries are on offer, and kids will particularly enjoy the gigantic maize maze open in late summer.
No need to pre-book. Note that pricing is by the basket here rather than by weight. You won’t be able to use your own container when picking. Open Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am to 5pm. Open Sundays and bank holidays 10:00am to 4pm. Last admission one hour prior to closing.
Where and When to Find Pick Your Own Farms | Surrey
Crockford Bridge Farm in Weybridge
This farm has a longer pick your own season thanks to Spring crops of asparagus and rhubarb and extending into Autumn with pumpkins and squashes. They also are one of the few farms offering a chance to cut your own Christmas tree from late November. Many summer fruits and vegetables make this a good spot to pick a variety in one visit. Check the website for a detailed list of what’s available to pick now. The seasonal Tea Shack and Ice Cream Parlour are ready to provide you a tasty break from picking as well.
Booking is required to visit and can be arranged online. The value of the booking fee is redeemed against the cost of fruit and vegetables you pick. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 4:30pm.
Flower Farm Shop in Godstone
Flower Farm is perhaps the largest scale example on this list of a venue that has gone far beyond simple farming. Summer brings pick your own strawberries, raspberries, cherries and plums. Beyond that, there is an award winning farm shop on site, including a butcher, deli, weekly fishmonger and locally grown flower bouquets. Spring to late Summer also brings live music, comedy, open air cinema, mini golf and a maize maze. You’ll be in no shortage of options for entertainment here. The tea room and taproom (serving their own beer no less) will keep you well provisioned on your visit as well.
No need to pre-book for the pick your own fields. Open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Garsons in Esher
This farm and garden centre features one of the largest pick your own farms in the UK. In addition to the Esher location, another can be found in Titchfield, Hampshire. While a more retail experience than several of the others on this list, the large location does offer a wide range of pick your own fruit and vegetables. Flowers are also in rotation for picking. In addition to the standard garden centre goods, there is also an on-site tea room and farm shop.
A farm pass booking is required prior to visit and can be arranged online. A credit for the farm pass will be deducted from the price of picked produce. Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Bonus: Lavender
Lordington Lavender in Chichester
Only open for a short summer run in July, these lavender fields in the South Downs are the perfect setting for family photos and a fun day out in a beautiful setting. Many lavender products are available for purchase, and children’s activities like tractor rides and hay bale play areas are on offer to complete your day. Dogs on lead are also welcome, so you can plan to include your pup in those family photos as well.
No booking required, but entry fees apply. Cash recommended. Check the website for the specific days open.
Other Family Friendly Days Out
Halnaker Windmill and Ancient Roman Road Walk
