Herts &amp; Beds


<p>Somehow, despite the juice stains and paying-to-do-manual-labour,  picking one’s own fruit / flowers / veg is unassailably charming. So dust off the broad-brimmed hats, grab the children and head to the fields for some wholesome rural fun. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-secret-farm-moggerhanger-beds"><a aria-label="The Secret Farm (opens in a new tab)" href="https://thesecret.farm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Secret Farm</a>, Moggerhanger, Beds</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Moggerhanger-PYO-750x1000.jpg" alt="toddler boy in field eating strawberry" class="wp-image-85161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Moggerhanger-PYO-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Moggerhanger-PYO-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Moggerhanger-PYO-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Moggerhanger-PYO.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>This one on the outskirts of Moggerhanger Village, has a long family-run farming heritage. The owners are big advocates of getting kids engaged with farming and the natural environment so it&#8217;s a great spot to bring the little ones to see a real working farm in action. Book to pick strawberries, raspberries and even cut-your-own lavender roses &#8211; new this year &#8211; plus, there&#8217;s a PYO veg patch coming soon. Kids can also have a go on the play tractors, pedal karts and head to the sandy beach (Moggerhanger-on-sea), plus there&#8217;s a bouncy castle and barrel train (both an extra £3 each). Ice cream, a bar and food vans are there at the weekends and there&#8217;s a picnic area, too. Tickets are released weekly so check the available timeslots when booking. And be aware that bringing your own punnets is a big no-no here &#8211; you must use those provided. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="http://www.grovefarmpyo.co.uk/pickyourown">Grove Farm</a>, Ivinghoe  </strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="994" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/RASPBERRY-PICKING-matt-hanns-schroeter-u7Z-qQLUMXc-unsplash.jpg" alt="Woman's hand picking raspberries" class="wp-image-78213" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/RASPBERRY-PICKING-matt-hanns-schroeter-u7Z-qQLUMXc-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/RASPBERRY-PICKING-matt-hanns-schroeter-u7Z-qQLUMXc-unsplash-800x530.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/RASPBERRY-PICKING-matt-hanns-schroeter-u7Z-qQLUMXc-unsplash-1000x663.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/RASPBERRY-PICKING-matt-hanns-schroeter-u7Z-qQLUMXc-unsplash-792x525.jpg 792w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Ok, it might technically be in Bucks but as it&#8217;s on the border of Herts &amp; Beds too, we&#8217;re calling it ours. This is my go-to local for PYO &#8211; and not just for red fruit, but veg, too. Right now (mid July) you can get baby carrots, beetroot, potatoes as well as strawberries, red and blackcurrants &#8211; check the website before you go for what&#8217;s in season. And you can BYO packaging to this one save on costs (not only to you but the farm will donate some money to charity for each container you save!). Garden trugs at the ready! It&#8217;s open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and on Sundays from 9am &#8211; 12pm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.graveleystrawberries.co.uk/">Gravely Fruit Farm</a>, Stevenage</strong></h2>



<p>As well as picking your fill of fruit &#8211; which is all at waist height by the way if you want to save your back &#8211; there&#8217;s tonnes to do here for kids, from a crazy golf course, electric go-karts and weekend tractor rides (bumps included!) to a chance to feed the resident piggies. Plus there&#8217;s an adventure play area with a zip wire and hay bales, located conveniently next to the cafe so you can grab a coffee and 5 minutes&#8217; peace while the kids burn off their energy. Entry to the farm plus use of the play area and sand pit are free. Just pay for what you take, and go-karting, crazy golf and jumping pillows cost extra. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a aria-label="Pearce’s Farm Shop (opens in a new tab)" href="https://pearcesfarmshop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pearce’s Farm Shop</a>, Buntingford</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo-1000x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-85155" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Pearces-farmshop-pyo.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This family run farm shop offers PYO strawberries and raspberries. Pop into Bridget B&#8217;s Butchery while you&#8217;re there, have a nosey around the shop which stocks Cook meals, local produce, wine and artisan spirits as well as gifts. And make sure you check out the Grand Designs-style eco café with its glass frontage and views over the meadow for brekkie, lunch or afternoon tea. It&#8217;s open Mon &#8211; Sat from 8.30am &#8211; 5pm and Sundays from 9am &#8211; 4pm. There&#8217;s a small non-refundable entry fee of £1.50 but under 5s and over 60s go free. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hawswick Lodge Farm (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.hawkswickfruit.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hawswick Lodge Farm</a>, St Albans</strong></h2>



<p>You&#8217;ll find a range of seasonal fruits here, including strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, blackberries and gooseberries. There&#8217;s a minimum charge of £3 for adults (free for under 5s) and it&#8217;s open Tuesday &#8211; Friday (10am-6pm, with last entry at 5.30pm) and 9am &#8211; 4pm at the weekends (last entry 3.30pm). Do check the website before visiting though as they ocassionally close to allow new fruit to grow after busy times. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a aria-label="Cammas Hall Fruit Farm (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.cammashall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cammas Hall Fruit Farm</a>, near Bishop&#8217;s Stortford</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries-1000x1000.jpg" alt="punnet of strawberries in straw" class="wp-image-85160" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cammas-Hall-Strawberries.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cammas Hall has got it all. Fruit, veg, sunflowers and pumpkins are on offer through June &#8211; October (check their online calendar for timings). Pre-book your slot for £2 (under 2s go free). There&#8217;s loads of other fun to be found here too, from a new six-acre 9-hole footgolf course, a maize maze (Aug &#8211; Oct) and a nature trail with 1-3K route options. Plus there&#8217;s a play area with sandpit, tyre mounds and giant slide, and seasonal events such as animal encounters, craft workshops and princess and pirate parties. Hungry? The Tea Barn takeaway caters for those mid-morning bacon butty cravings, while at The Cabin, you&#8217;ll find cakes, snacks, drinks and ice cream. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://burylane.co.uk/farm-shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bury Lane</a>, Royston</strong></h2>



<p>One of the biggest PYOs in the area, it&#8217;s strawberry fields forever at Bury Lane (although be aware that they sometimes close to allow the next batch to ripen, so check the site and social media before visiting). Plus, earlier in the season, they have PYO tulips and peonies (sadly, you&#8217;re too late for these this year) but head&#8217;s up for dahlias later in the season. Pop into the farm shop to stock up on local produce from the food hall and cellar, deli and bakery, butchers and fishmongers, as well as fresh fruit and veg and cut flowers. There&#8217;s even a gift shop and plant and garden shop on site, too. But that&#8217;s not all. Got kids in tow? Take them to the beach! Yup, there&#8217;s a giant sandy play area here as well as a soft play barn. You&#8217;ll easily lose a day here.</p>



<p><strong>Want to know where you can PYO local flowers, too? Check out these <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/home/flower-farms-sustainable-florist-seasonal-cut-flowers-locally-grown-hertfordshire-bedfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Blooming gorgeous local flower farms (opens in a new tab)">Blooming gorgeous local flower farms</a>. </strong></p>


Best places to PYO fruit and veg in Herts & Beds

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