There's no better summer activity than fruit picking- and apples are some of our best British crops.
You can really taste the difference between crisp and juicy apples picked from the orchard to shop-bought ones that might sit in storage for weeks. If you want your kids to eat more fruit, take them on a day out to your local farm where you can pick your own fresh fruit and they'll be crunching their way through the pickings.
Apples are ready to pick in August and September, but the picking season varies from farm to farm, so check on the website or call the number listed below before visiting.
The South of England
Grange Farm in Sussex
Which other fruits can I pick here? Plums. What else can I do here? There is a farm shop that sells a range of gifts, cards and locally-sourced food. How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end. Where? Grange Farm, Funtington, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9LN Website: grangefarmcrawleydown.co.uk
Contact: 01243575372
Peterley Manor Farm in Buckinghamshire
Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, apples and plums What else can I do here? There is a cafe, a farm shop which sells fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, pressed apple juice and cakes, and also a nursey selling plants and hanging baskets How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Peterley Manor Farm, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0HH Website: peterleymanorfarm.co.uk
Contact: 01494 863566
Home Cottage Farm in Buckinghamshire
Which other fruits can I pick here? Raspberries, plums, damsons, pears and blackberries What else can I do here? There is a cafe, a farm shop which sells fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables - everything sold in the farm shop is grown on the farm. The farm also has chickens and sheep which visitors will usually see around the farm How much? Entry is free to the pick-your-own field and the fruit will be weighed and priced up at the end Where? Home Cottage Farm, Bangors Road South, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire SL0 0BB Website: homecottagefarm.co.uk
Contact: 01753 653064
The Midlands
Court Farm and Leisure in Herefordshire
Which other fruits can I pick here? Blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plums and rhubarb. What else can I do here? The farm has a tea shop, picnic area, farm shop, children's play area and farm animals. How much? £8.00 for parties of over 4 people for the pick-your-own area. Where? Court Farm and Leisure, Court Farm, Tillington, Herefordshire, HR4 8LG Website: courtfarmleisure.co.uk
Contact: 01432 760271
Video of the Week
