There’s nothing like perfectly ripe and juicy strawberries, especially when you’ve picked them yourself. If you’re looking for a fun outdoor experience to share with family and friends this summer, here are some of the best ‘PYO’ fruit farms to visit around Yorkshire.
Horsforth Pick Your Own, Leeds
Owned by the Kemp family, who have been offering ‘pick your own’ produce since 1984, this seasonal fruit farm is one of the best places to find juicy strawberries and raspberries near Leeds. Horsforth PYO opens for the summer season from mid to late June and you can book your tickets online. Upon arrival, you’ll then collect your recyclable punnets before following a route around the farm, foraging for the biggest and ripest berries as you go. There are more than a dozen different kinds of strawberries to choose from, along with three varieties of raspberries, all of which are paid for based on weight. Children will enjoy learning where their food comes from and can let off some steam on the small play area or take a tractor ride for a small extra fee. Horsforth PYO also has a shop selling hot and cold drinks, snacks and Kemps Farm Jam.
Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge
Situated 20 minutes from Harrogate in rural Nidderdale, Birchfield Farm promises a fun day out for all of the family. This working farm is home to cows, pedigree pigs and sheep, which you’ll spot grazing in the fields. There are also goats, ponies and donkeys to meet, as well as smaller animals like guinea pigs. Little ones will love exploring the playground or building a den in the woods, and from mid June you can also pick your own fresh strawberries here. There is a fee for entry to the farm and you’ll then pay for the fruit that you’ve picked. Punnets are provided but those who are eco-conscious can bring their own containers to weigh before filling. If you find yourself in need of refreshments, the farm’s cafe serves hot and cold food including waffles, cake and its own delicious homemade ice cream.
The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Cafe, Gate Helmsley
This popular farm shop near Stamford Bridge has been growing soft fruit and vegetables for more than 35 years. If you fancy filling a punnet with ripe red strawberries, there are several varieties to choose from here, including Vibrant, Malling Centenary and Florence. You can also pick raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants and rhubarb at different times in the season. When you’ve finished picking, head to the Berry Barn to pay for your haul by weight. Balloon Tree’s farm shop is always a delight to visit as it’s filled with specialist produce from Yorkshire and further afield. It boasts an excellent bakery and a fresh jersey milk machine, as well as an award-winning café where you can tuck into tasty homemade classics prepared with seasonal ingredients.
Bentley Grange, Huddersfield
Set in the peaceful West Yorkshire countryside near Huddersfield, this family-run animal feed farm grows a range of scrumptious soft fruit, including strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. These can be picked by visitors at various times throughout the summer, with strawberries in June and raspberries and currants following a little later on. As the fruit is left to ripen on the plant, the berries you pick here will be sweeter and tastier than those you might find in the supermarket. Containers are provided and, if you’re wondering how best to use your fruit, the farm’s website contains some helpful tips. Throughout its peak season, Bentley Grange also stocks Longley Farm cream, Yummy Yorkshire ice cream and Stickeys Honey to take away with you as an extra treat.
Spilman’s PYO, Thirsk
This well-established fruit farm is run by a family of strawberry experts, who grow a range of carefully-selected varieties to pick yourself, along with raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, potatoes and sunflowers. The strawberry season starts here in June and you can book tickets on the farm’s website. These cost £4.32 per picker (under 2s are free) but include a £4 voucher to spend on your fruit or takeaway food. As you make your way around Spilman’s you’ll find plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including lots of photo opportunities plus a play barn and a maize maze, which opens in July. The farm also has a shop and cafe and sells homemade wood-fired pizzas at the weekend.
Eastfield Farm, Doncaster
Located in Tickhill on the outskirts of Doncaster, Eastfield Farm offers the chance to pick your own strawberries, sunflowers, wildflowers and corn. There is no charge for picking itself – simply bring your containers, or use one of the ones provided, and fill them up. You’ll then be charged by weight for the fruit you’ve gathered (strawberries cost £4.20 per kilo and can be paid for by cash or card). Alongside its PYO fields, Eastfield has a new maize maze, which will open in August, and a farm shop that sells local produce including fruit and vegetables, jams and chutneys and its very own vodka. If you’d like to stop for lunch while you’re here, you can enjoy delicious homemade cakes, hot drinks and more at the tea room next door.
Images- @theballoontree, @eastfieldfarmpyo, @https://www.facebook.com/birchfieldicecreamfarm
