Nothing says summer more than the deliciously sweet smell of strawberries — and there are farms all over the county offering the chance to pick your own as a fun activity for all ages.
SoGlos has selected some of the best places you can go fruit picking in and around Gloucestershire, with the chance to embrace the great outdoors, soak up the sunshine and show your support for local farmers and producers.
Fruit picking at Primrose Vale Farm Shop
Cheltenham’s Primrose Vale Farm Shop offers more than 15 different types of crops for picking, with its PYO fields open from late May until October.
Strawberries, which are grown on raised platforms, are the most popular crop, but you can also find raspberries, gooseberries and blackberries, along with the occasional vegetable. Visitors can take a leisurely wander around the picking field to find the juiciest strawberries to take home with them, as well as taking the chance to explore the farm shop.
Fruit picking at Over Farm
Head to Gloucester’s Over Farm during the summer months to pick super sweet strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for the famous ‘golden strawberry’, with lucky participants winning a special prize for finding it! There are sunflowers standing tall and proud and ready to picked to brighten up your home, too. Please note, entrance slots for fruit picking at Over Farm must be booked online in advance.
Fruit picking at Elmore Fruit Farm
During the summer months, Gloucester’s Elmore Fruit Farm welcomes visitors to the grounds to pick their very own responsibly grown berries, fairly-priced at £6.50 per kilogram.
Elmore Fruit Farm is yet to announce its highly anticipated official opening dates for the 2023 season, but it is expected to very soon.
Fruit picking at Hayles Fruit Farm
Hayles Fruit Farm near Winchcombe opens its PYO fields from June until September, so visitors can pick their own strawberries and other soft fruits.
With strawberries taking a little longer to wake up this year, Hayles Fruit Farm is due to announce its summer opening dates at the end of June 2023.
Fruit picking at Lotmead Farm
Just across the border on the edge of Swindon, take a trip to the award-winning, Lotmead Farm to pick your own strawberries this summer 2023.
Alongside picking summer berries, there’s plenty more to do at Lotmead, with a play area, small animals to meet and a nature walk making a great addition to the PYO experience that’s sure to keep little ones occupied.
