Whether you prefer to sprinkle them with sugar, coat them in double cream, turn them into jam, or pop them in a pudding - fresh strawberries are one of the delights of a summer in the UK. Red, juicy strawberries are best eaten as soon as they've been picked, and one of the easiest ways you can do this is to visit a pick your own (PYO) strawberry farm.
Join CrossCountry as we explore the best strawberry farms in the UK.
Craigies, Edinburgh
Craigies offers some of the best pick-your-own experiences in the UK from June to October, And you’re not limited to strawberries either, Craigies has trees full of shiny red apples, bushes bursting with raspberries, blackcurrants, and gooseberries, and, in October, their fields turn orange with pumpkins. You can also enjoy their café, deli, and butchers serving up fresh Scottish produce.
From tractor and trailer rides to feeding the farm animals and exploring the bike trails, families can easily spend the whole day here. And, for those staying in the area or looking for something else, there are plenty of things to see and do in Edinburgh, just hop on a train to Edinburgh Waverley with CrossCountry and the adventure begins.
The Balloon Tree, York
In the heart of Yorkshire, The Balloon Tree offers excellent opportunities pick your own strawberries - perfect for a early summer's day out. And it's not just strawberries on offer; The Balloon Tree farm enjoys experimenting with a variety of pick-your-own crops. The mainstays generally include raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, rhubarb, blueberries, black currants, red currants, broad beans, and pumpkins, all available for picking at different times throughout the season.
Strawberries are available for picking from June, and the expert farmers have worked hard to pinpoint the sweet spot between juiciness and abundance. That means your basket will be overflowing with deliciousness! After a scrumptious afternoon strawberry picking, head to their award-winning café to quench your thirst and hunger. Expect some of the best local produce around. From Yorkshire bacon to Yorkshire tea.
We also recommend spending time in the historic York city centre, where you can admire the stunning medieval architecture, visit the iconic York Minster, and wander through the quirky Shambles. Catch a CrossCountry train to York station from all over the UK and make the most of your visit to The Balloon Tree.
Essington Farm, Wolverhampton
The family-run Essington Farm has some of the best opportunities for fruit picking in the UK, as well as growing fabulous produce and livestock, which can be enjoyed in their restaurant, butcher and farm shop. This means that visitors can pick there, eat there, or take something home to cook. There's a plant nursery too, which has a gorgeous array of house plants and garden favourites to purchase.
Visitors can catch a bus to Essington Farm from Wolverhampton Station. Just hop on a CrossCountry service from one of many locations, including Manchester Piccadilly and Leicester station.
Shute Fruit Farm, Teignmouth
The fertile red soil of the Teign estuary in Devon creates the most delicious, flavour-packed strawberries you may have ever tasted. Shute Fruit Farm offers a taste of heaven with views of the southern coastline. Well-behaved dogs are also welcomed, so the whole family can enjoy the fun. As well as fruit picking, check out the farm stall selling fresh fruit picked from the farm and various homemade preserves.
Shute Fruit Farm is a short fifteen-minute bus ride from Teignmouth Station, meaning you can really make the most of your time in Devon. Take time to peruse the pretty Victorian pier at Teignmouth, enjoy the gorgeous stretch of beach and maybe play a couple of rounds of crazy golf too.
Malt Kiln Farm Shop, Rugby
A beloved feature of the Warwickshire countryside, Malt Kiln Farm Shop welcomes visitors with a whole day's worth of activities. Purchase a ticket for one of their popular Pick Your Own workshops, where you can gather an assortment of fresh fruits including strawberries, rhubarb, blackberries, and raspberries, perfect for baking buttery, fruity crumble. For a summery stew, pick some nutritious courgettes and marrows.
Malt Kiln Farm shop also boasts a quaint little café that specialises in tasty baked goods and local cheeses. Expect some of the best artisanal cheeses in the UK here, both local and well-travelled: Northamptonshire Blue, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester, Lincolnshire Poacher, Cornish Yarg, and more!
Rectory Farm, Oxford
You’ll find Rectory Farm just outside Oxford in the quaint and sleepy village of Stanton St. John. Open from April to October with ready-to-pick asparagus and rhubarb, Rectory Farm is a wonderful escape into nature, providing an opportunity to get your hands dirty and feel closer to the land and our food sources. Strawberries are available for picking around May, alongside plump gooseberries.
The farm encourages visitors to bring their own containers to reduce waste, with discounts offered as an incentive. Once you’ve filled your container with ruby red strawberries, head to the café for a well-deserved meal tailored to the season. The farm also has a thrilling adventure playground, just in case the kids have a natural sugar rush from nibbling on strawberries.
If you’re planning to go strawberry picking in summer, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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