There’s nothing quite like savoring fruit and vegetables freshly picked from the field—bursting with flavor and free from supermarket packaging. It’s also a wonderful way to teach children about where their food comes from, while selecting the juiciest strawberries or ripest asparagus yourself.
With a long Bank Holiday weekend ahead and temperatures expected to soar near 30°C, many families are seeking nearby pick-your-own (PYO) farms for a memorable day out. Picking your own produce not only guarantees freshness but also reduces environmental impact by cutting down on packaging and food miles.
Here are some top Gloucestershire and nearby farms offering PYO opportunities this summer:
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Shurdington Road, Bentham, Cheltenham GL51 4UA
Open 9am-5:30pm Monday to Saturday, 9:30am-5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Currently, only strawberries are available for picking on raised platforms that keep slugs away and ease harvesting. Other fruits like raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and blackcurrants will follow in June. No booking is necessary; just show up and pay for what you pick. Note: Strawberry supplies are limited in early season, especially over half-term, so check their Facebook page for daily updates.
Over Farm, Highnam, Gloucester GL2 8DB
Open 9am-5pm Sunday to Wednesday, 9am-6pm Thursday to Saturday.
Strawberries will be ready for picking from early June. PYO availability is often limited to morning or afternoon sessions and exact hours are yet to be announced. Families can enjoy the petting animals, farm trail, and a farm shop featuring over 20 crops, plus butcher, bakery, and deli selections.
Hayles Fruit Farm, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5PB
Open 9am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays).
Situated on 130 acres of countryside, Hayles offers strawberries from early June, plums and apples from August, and pears from September through October. The exact PYO opening date will be announced soon. The farm shop stocks local produce including award-winning apple juice and cider.
Clive’s Fruit Farm, Willingsworth, Upton Upon Severn, Worcester WR8 0SA
Open 9am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday, closed Mondays.
Nestled between the Malvern Hills and River Severn, the farm boasts cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. PYO fields will open in June; check their Facebook or call 01684 592664 for updates. There’s also a children’s play area and a nature trail for a full day of family fun.
Rectory Farm, Stanton St. John, Oxford OX33 1HF
Open 9am-5:30pm Monday to Saturday (last entry 4:30pm), 9am-4pm Sunday.
With 45 acres of fields, this Cotswolds gem offers asparagus and rhubarb from late April, strawberries and gooseberries from May, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables throughout June and July. The farm shop and butchers provide local treats, while farm attractions entertain children. PYO entry costs £1.25 and bookings are recommended through their website. Bring your own bags for a discount on your harvest.
Lotmead Farm Shop, Wanborough Rd, Wanborough, Swindon SN4 0SN
Open 9:30am-5pm daily (subject to availability).
Just across the border near Swindon, Lotmead Farm grows eight different crops for PYO. Their strawberries, grown on raised platforms, are ideal for kids and adults alike. Though not quite ready yet, they’re ripening quickly with gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants to follow. Besides picking, visitors can meet baby bunnies, a donkey, and a Shetland pony, enjoy the play area, and shop or café delights.
This summer, embrace the joy of harvesting your own fresh, flavorful produce while enjoying a day out in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. Don’t forget to check farm websites or social media for the latest updates before you visit.