Dreaming of deliciously fresh strawberries picked straight from the field? While London can boast of several great city farms, you’ll need to head further afield to pick your own strawberries. Actually, many farms experience such big swarms of city dwellers heading out of London this summer that they’ve created a booking system to keep control of the hordes.
Booking ahead is actually much better for everyone to avoid disappointing visitors turning up at the farm only to realize that all the delicious strawberries have been snapped up a long time ago. So be quick to take action and book a visit to one of the following top 7 strawberry farms outside of London:
1. Crockford Bridge Farm – Surrey
Crockford strawberries are among the best you can get your hands on near London! You’ll even get the opportunity to enjoy locally made ice cream made from farm strawberries. Crockford Bridge Farm is in West Surrey on 80 acres and is among the county’s oldest continuously cultivated areas. Many families have Crockford as a firm summer-favourite visiting year after year. However, available crops change from week to week, so make sure to check in advance to avoid disappointment. If you’re planning to pick during the weekend, you should remember to book a time slot ahead to make sure you get your hands on those delicious strawberries.
Phone: 01932 846611 Web: crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk
2. Stanhill Farm – Kent
Stanhill Farm is 150 acres and is run by Toby and Max Williams. The farm produces 20-30 varieties of vegetables and fruit, varying by season. You’ll find courgettes, runner beans, carrots, and sweetcorn ready for harvest after the strawberry season ends. If your fingers feel tired, you can take a walk around the maze that runs through the farm’s maize fields. Stanhill is a large farm with a lot of visitor capacity, and it’s not necessary to book in advance.
Phone: 01322 669711 Web: stanhillfarm.co.uk
3. Garsons Farm – Surrey
The Thompson family has operated this farm for decades and has been a pioneer in perfecting the Pick Your Own (PYO) concept. The farm is larger than many strawberry farms around London, covering a whopping 155 acres. There’s a restaurant, farm shop, and garden centre, so everything is set for a perfect full-day experience. Garsons also grow strawberries at tabletop height, so you don’t need to bend down when picking. If you’re fortunate, you might even get your hands on raspberries. You will need to book in advance for a Farm Pass, which is available online.
Phone: 01372 464389 Web: garsons.co.uk
4. Hawkswick Lodge Farm – Hertfordshire
Hawkswick opened on July 10th, and reportedly there were long lines of punters lining up to secure a place in the strawberry fields. You must act swiftly to grab your harvest at this Hertfordshire farmland as it’s not as big as some of the largest farms outside London, and eager visitors quickly snap up strawberries, blackcurrants, and raspberries. If everything goes according to plan, you will only need to pay the £3 minimum to fill your punnet with as many July strawbs and strawberries as possible. As always, we recommend calling in advance to ensure your favourite crop is available for picking on the day you’re going.
Phone: 01727 831224 Web: www.hawkswickfruit.co.uk
5. Hewitts Farm – Bromley
On Hewitts farm covering 78 acres, you can pick several different crops such as strawberries, blackcurrants, and spinach during the summer months. And if you’re lucky, you might even get a free tractor ride on this beautiful farm run by the same family for generations. There’s no requirement to book ahead as it stands now, but check the farm’s website or call in advance.
Phone: 01959 534666 Web: hewittsfarm.co.uk
6. Home Cottage Farm – Buckinghamshire
Noisy broods and flocks of chickens will greet you upon arrival at this healthy soft fruit farm in Buckinghamshire. There are a few sheep, but they tend to keep it quiet. You can find plenty of raspberries and blackberries, and you can also help the plum and apple trees. Everything in the farm shop is organic, including honey, thanks to the bee colony. The PYO farm will open at the end of July on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Phone: 01753 653064 Web: homecottagefarm.co.uk
7. Parkside Farm – Enfield
Unlike many other farms around London, Parkside Farm is not too remote to be accessible from London by public transportation. Don’t expect a tube stop next to the farm; you’ll need to walk a good 25 minutes from the nearest Gordon Hill railway station. This piece of greenery has 20 crops on its 50 acres, with strawberries growing at just the right height, so you don’t need to bend down too much. Check their website or call ahead to make sure you don’t get disappointed as crops change over time. Remember to book ahead of visiting.
Phone: 020 8367 2035 Web: parksidefarmpyo.co.uk
Tips for picking strawberries
The centre of every cluster is where the largest berries are found. Pick fresh berries when they are fully red. Of course, you won’t get all the berries at once, so farms typically harvest strawberries every two to three days. That’s also why you’re often required to book a picking slot in advance so the farm can give the plants a break between each picking session.
Strawberry season lasts only three to four weeks, so you shouldn’t waste time deciding to head out of London to pick strawberries. After the strawberries are fully coloured, you can pick them with only one-quarter of their stem attached. Picking strawberries in the morning is best, as they are still cool. Strawberries can bruise easily, so be careful when picking them. Unblemished berries will last longer and keep better than bruised fruit. Certain varieties of strawberry, like Surecrop, snap easily with some of the stem attached. Sparkle and others bruise easily, so be careful when removing the stem.
To harvest strawberries:
- Grasp the stem between your thumb and forefinger and gently pull and twist the stem.
- Allow the berry to roll into your palm.
- Place the fruit in a container.
- Continue picking this way, ensuring not to overfill the container with berries.
Once picked, cool the berries immediately. However, please don’t wash them until they are ready for use.
Strawberries can be kept fresh for up to three days with refrigeration, but they will go bad quickly. Don’t worry if your strawberry harvest was too large to eat or for you to give away. Strawberries can be frozen well and used for desserts or smoothies. In addition, strawberries can easily be made into jam.