Picking sustainability

Written By Stephanie Thompson

As a family that loves tennis and watching Wimbledon, with their Strawberries and cream advertised and ahead of the summer holidays. In attempt to keep the children active, away from screens, below is a complete directory of environmentally responsible pick-your-own farms across the UK for hot summer days, for anyone who is interested to venture out into some sunshine and fresh air.

Last year I missed the strawberries but did get a lovely poem from my son about rotting strawberries and we picked blue berries instead.

Remember to take your own container to reduce plastic waste!

Comprehensive Sustainable Fruit Picking Guide UK - Summer 2025

JUNE

  • Early June: Rhubarb, Asparagus, Gooseberries

  • Mid-June: First strawberries, Elderflower

  • Late June: Strawberries peak, Tayberries, Early raspberries

JULY

  • Peak Month for: Strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries

  • Available: Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Cherries, Early blueberries

  • Vegetables: Courgettes, French beans, Peas

AUGUST

  • Continued: Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries

  • New Season: Blackberries, Plums, Sunflowers

  • Late Season: Sweetcorn, late summer vegetables

CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMS

SOUTH ENGLAND

Cherry Gardens Organic Farm ⭐ Soil Association Certified

  • Location: Cherry Gardens Hill, Groombridge, Kent TN3 9NY

  • Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm (Closed Mon & Sun)

  • Contact: 01892 862307 | info@cherrygardensfarm.co.uk

  • Website: cherrygardensfarm.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June-July: Tayberries, Blackcurrants, PYO cottage garden flowers

    • All Season: Farm shop with organic dairy, meat, local honey, homemade jams

  • Sustainable Features: Certified organic standards, no booking required, water tap on field, gazebo and picnic areas

Daylesford Organic ⭐ Pioneer Organic Farm

  • Location: Daylesford Farm, Kingham, Gloucestershire

  • Opening Hours: Farm shop daily, PYO seasonal (check website)

  • Website: daylesford.com

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June-August: Strawberries, cucumbers, herbs, salad leaves, peas, broad beans

    • Special: Annual organic market garden foraging experiences

  • Sustainable Features: Daily harvest from market garden, zero waste pantry, organic accommodation, wine specialists focusing on sustainable viticulture

The Dorset Blueberry Company ⭐ Soil Association Certified 20+ Years

  • Location: Littlemoors Farm, Dorset

  • Opening Hours: Supply to Abel & Cole and Riverford (not direct PYO)

  • Website: dorsetblueberry.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • July-August: Organic blueberries (available through suppliers)

  • Sustainable Features: No synthetic pesticides/fertilizers, hand-picked at peak ripeness, supplies Lush Cosmetics for organic face masks

Trehane Blueberry PYO (Brothers Farm) ⭐ Soil Association Certified

  • Location: Stapehill Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7ND

  • Opening Hours: July 11th-August 25th, Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm

  • Website: trehaneblueberrypyo.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • July-August: 8 organic blueberry varieties (Berkeley, Ivanhoe, Herbert, Duke, Bluecrop, Brigitta, Elliott)

    • Specialty: Varieties not found in supermarkets

  • Sustainable Features: No chemical pesticides/fungicides, hand-pruning of 2,300 bushes, Flower Barn café with on-site grown flowers

SUSTAINABLE & ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFIED FARMS

SCOTLAND

West Craigie Farm Shop ⭐ Family-Run Sustainable

  • Location: West Craigie Farm, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9TR

  • Opening Hours: Daily 9am-5pm, PYO July-October

  • Contact: 0131 3191048 | john@craigies.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June-August: Strawberries (end June-August), Raspberries (mid July-mid August)

    • Additional: Cherries, Gooseberries, Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Tayberries, Sunflowers

  • Sustainable Features: £2 per adult entry fee (redeemable against fruit), on-site café using farm produce, Local Food project supporting community groups

Border Berries ⭐ Traditional Outdoor Growing

  • Location: Rutherford Farm, Kelso, Scottish Borders

  • Opening Hours: 7 days, 10am-7pm (café 11am-4pm), early July onwards

  • Contact: 01835 823763 | AL@BORDERBERRIES.CO.UK

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • July-August: Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Raspberries, Strawberries

  • Sustainable Features: One of Scotland's last outdoor berry farms, berries ripen naturally in sunshine (no polytunnel heat), 7-acre farm on River Tweed

WALES

Bellis Brothers (Bellis Country Market) ⭐ Family Heritage Farm Since 1860

  • Location: Farm Holt near Wrexham, Clwyd

  • Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 10am-4pm

  • Contact: 01829 270304 | info@bellisbrothers.co.uk

  • Website: bellisbrothers.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June-August: Table-top strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries

    • Additional: Peas, beans, heritage jam-making equipment

  • Sustainable Features: Transitioned to table-top growing for reduced weather reliance, family recipes dating to 1860, Strawberry Fields Restaurant

Hooton's Homegrown PYO ⭐ Minimal Food Miles

  • Location: Ffingar, Ffordd Brynsiencyn, Llanedwen, Anglesey LL61 6EQ

  • Opening Hours: PYO daily 10am-4:30pm (mid-June onwards), Farm shop 9:30am-5:30pm

  • Contact: 01248 430322 | info@hootonshomegrown.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June-August: Strawberries, Gooseberries, Blackcurrants, Rhubarb

  • Sustainable Features: One mile from Menai Bridge, local supply focus

NORTHERN ENGLAND

Brocksbushes Fruit Farm ⭐ Innovative Sustainable Growing

  • Location: Corbridge, Northumberland NE43 7UB

  • Opening Hours: Pre-booking required, June-October, Farm shop 9:30am-6pm

  • Contact: 01434 633100

  • Website: brocksbushes.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June-August: 125,000+ strawberry plants (125 blocks), Raspberries, Gooseberries, Redcurrants, Blackcurrants

    • Innovation: 10 of 11 strawberry blocks on table-tops, toddler-height "toddler tops"

  • Sustainable Features: Table-top growing for accessibility, record number of plants, on-farm tea room with locally made soups and ready meals

Kemps Farm ⭐ Fourth Generation Sustainable

  • Location: Yorkshire (Horsforth/Leeds and Barton-le-Street locations)

  • Website: kemps.farm

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • Summer Season: Yorkshire-grown soft fruits

    • October: Pumpkin picking

  • Sustainable Features: "Food grown as nature intended," proper crop rotation, carbon sequestration focus, reduced chemical reliance

LONDON & SURROUNDS

Parkside Farm PYO ⭐ Booking System for Sustainability

  • Location: Hadley Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 8LA

  • Opening Hours: Booking required, 15-minute entry slots, 2-hour picking window

  • Contact: 020 8367 2035

  • Website: parksidefarmpyo.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June: First strawberries (approx June 6th)

    • July: Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Sunflowers, Courgettes, French beans

    • August: Blackberries

  • Sustainable Features: £4 farm voucher system (redeemable against produce), 20 different crops on 50 acres, trolleys available for large quantities

Crockford Bridge Farm ⭐ Traditional Growing Methods

  • Location: New Haw Road, Addlestone, Surrey

  • Opening Hours: Check website for current seasonal hours

  • Website: crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • June: Rhubarb, Asparagus, early strawberries

    • July-August: Raspberries, Marrow, Beetroot, Sunflowers

  • Sustainable Features: No polytunnel use, traditional growing methods, ice cream stand, playground, Pumpkin Market in October

Peterley Manor Farm ⭐ Traditional Methods & Organic Fertilizers

  • Location: Peterley Lane, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire HP16 0HH

  • Website: peterleymanorfarm.co.uk

  • Summer Fruit Available:

    • Mid-June: Strawberries, Gooseberries

    • Through October: Various seasonal fruits and vegetables

  • Sustainable Features: Traditional farming methods, organic-based fertilizers, award-winning farm shop (Best Farm Shop/Deli Bucks & Oxon)

CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE STANDARDS TO LOOK FOR

Organic Certification

  • Soil Association: Highest UK organic standards

  • Organic Farmers & Growers

  • Biodynamic Association

  • Requirements: No synthetic pesticides/fertilizers, enhanced biodiversity

LEAF Marque

  • Integrated Farm Management principles

  • 9 Key Areas: Soil management, crop protection, pollution control, water management, energy efficiency, landscape conservation

  • Major retailers require this certification

Red Tractor

  • Environmental protection standards

  • Food safety and traceability

  • Animal welfare compliance

  • 75% of UK produce growers certified

  • Camping barns and eco-lodges

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Benefits of Sustainable PYO

  • Reduced food miles (direct from farm)

  • No packaging waste (bring own containers)

  • Support biodiversity (farms with hedgerows, wildflowers)

  • Carbon sequestration (supporting soil health practices)

  • Educational value (understanding food production)

Stephanie Thompson
Previous

Where does your fund or strategy sit in the Spectrum of Capital?

Next

Weathering the Storm: A Reflection on Tough Times in Sustainability and What They Mean for the Future