Sussex


<p>Possibly, no, definitely, the most fun you can have in a field as a family is rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck in with some manual labour while you pick your own fruit and vegetables. Strawberries are unsurprisingly the first choice but there’s so much more to fruit picking than just that.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Think apples to press for juice at home, berries as the base for some make-you-own ice lollies, and of course, there’s the jams and preserves making too. Or, if you’re anything like Muddy you’ll be eating all your delicious picks on the way home! &nbsp;</p>



<p>Here are the top tier of farms to visit this season…&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/8-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59857" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/8-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/8-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/8-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/8-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/8-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tibbs-farm-tillingham-valley-near-rye"><strong><a href="https://www.tibbsfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Tibbs Farm (opens in a new tab)">Tibbs Farm</a>, Tillingham Valley, near Rye</strong></h2>



<p>This family farm has been running for almost 70 years making hops, farming sheep and of course, growing fruit! Nestled at the south of the Valley the views are incredibly impressive &#8211; the perfect excuse to take a rest when filling up your punnet. The season starts in early June with strawberries and gooseberries and as the month progresses, there&#8217;ll be much more. They proudly specialise in six varieties of gooseberries as well as offering strawberries, raspberries, tummelberry and greengage. There is a natural maze to explore and get lost in and a special ‘pig watching’ experience where you can see the outdoor pigs in their den. And you can finish it off with an ice-cream made with the berries on site. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/3-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59855" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/3-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/3-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/3-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/3-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/3-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maynards-farm-ticehurst"><strong><a href="https://www.maynardsfruit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Maynards Farm, (opens in a new tab)">Maynards Farm,</a> Ticehurst</strong></h2>



<p>The usual suspects are all ready to be put in your punnet from 6 June at the moment it&#8217;s just strawberries (£5.50 per kg) which are ripe for the taking. However from July it&#8217;s planned that sweet cherries, morello cherries, blackberries et al will be available. You simply grab your punnet and pay per kilogram. And you’ll be tempted to head to the shed for an apple juice or a Maynard’s ice-cream. The rest of the farm grows nuts, apples and plums although these are sold to supermarkets, it’s still impressive to see the top of the crops. There is space for picnics too where you can soak up the views over a sandwich. There are also nearby pubs The Bull, The Bell and The Cherry Tree Inn. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/1-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59856" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/1-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/1-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/1-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/1-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/1-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roundstone-farm-angmering-worthing"><strong><a href="https://www.roundstonefarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Roundstone Farm (opens in a new tab)">Roundstone Farm</a>, Angmering, Worthing</strong></h2>



<p>Environmental awareness is top of the agenda here, everything is grown using environmentally friendly methods and all the staff are happy to share their knowledge of these techniques. You’re encouraged to bring your own boxes and bags but on offer are degradable plastic bags and re-useable punnets. And what’s more, the crops are accessible by foot but also via a Tractor-Train service that circulates the farm and drops you off at each crop &#8211; perfect for little and tired legs. And when it comes to the important part: the picking you’ll be spoilt for choice with a large number of crops from strawberries to sweetcorn, blackcurrants to broccoli and raspberries to runner beans.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/7-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59853" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/7-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/7-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/7-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/7-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/7-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paternosters-farm-warninglid-haywards-heath"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/paternostersfarmpyo/?locale=en_GB">Paternosters Farm</a>, Warninglid, Haywards Heath</strong></h2>



<p>Good things come in small packages at this farm which specialises in apples that you can pick from August onwards and into September with Cox, Russet, Bramley, Jonagold and Idared varieties. You can usually stock up on plums and damson too. As a working farm you will see the machinery at work and get an authentic experience.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59858" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/5.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharnfold-farm-eastbourne"><strong><a href="https://www.sharnfoldfarm.co.uk/pyo-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Sharnfold Farm (opens in a new tab)">Sharnfold Farm</a>, Eastbourne</strong></h2>



<p>Pick your own is open from July &#8211; but this is a winner for families &#8211; not only do they offer a strong selection of fruit and veg to pick including blueberries, strawberries, pepper and marrow there is a special farm trail (that’s flat for pushchairs) and en route you’ll see lots of farm animals including alpacas, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and ducks. There’s also a farm shop and butchers on site, but what’s more, is that the coffee shop overlooks the play area so while the kids are entertained, you will be too with a sweet treat and some caffeine.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/6-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59852" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/6-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/6-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/6-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/6-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/07/6-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spring-gardens-nursery-washington-pulborough"><strong><a href="https://springgardensnursery.uk/pyo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Spring Gardens Nursery (opens in a new tab)">Spring Gardens Nursery</a>, Washington, Pulborough</strong></h2>



<p>It’s set to be a berrie-tastic summer at the nursery which is waiting to announce the open date for PYO. But it&#8217;s hoped that ripe for the picking this summer are going to be raspberries, tayberries and loganberries. There’s also a selection of vegetables too including asparagus, but that never seems quite as fun as the fruit! When it’s time for someone else to do the leg work, the Farm Shop prides itself on only stocking local supplies from artisan breads to local dairy products. And after working up an appetite (picking is intensive labour we’ll have you know) you’ll want to stop via the cafe for a sweet treat. </p>


Berry nice: Where to pick your own in Sussex

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