Nottinghamshire farm opens up fields for strawberry picking for the first time

A beloved 'Pick your own' pumpkin patch in Nottinghamshire is introducing strawberry picking for the first time this summer, starting on Saturday, June 21. Since opening in 2019 the farm has previously been home to pumpkins, potatoes, sunflowers, and maize among other vegetables and flowers.

However strawberries have never been grown on the site until now, something farmer Mark Hodkinson describes as "exciting". He said: "We have a large customer base and for a while a lot of people have been asking us to do this.

"We’ve got five acres of field full of strawberries on our beautiful land. They've been ripening in the sun this week, so they'll be lovely."

Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

The farm is situated off the A6097 and A614 on Oaks Lane, in Oxton, between Blidworth and Calverton. Visitors flock from across the country and are advised to check the company's social media pages before attending, due to the high demand for fruit and vegetables.

Speaking about the popularity of the site, Mark said: "Pumpkins are always very popular, even now, but our sunflower experience sees more and more people turning up each year. I think people want to get back in touch with the land and what we’re offering is our knowledge and entertainment."

Alongside the strawberry picking, visitors of the farm can expect a range of hot and cold food, served up by local business Little Schnauzer Coffee Company, based in Burton Joyce. There will be also entertainment for kids including a vintage tractor and fun photo frame shoots.

Entry to the farm starts at £5 and includes the first punnet of strawberries picked, while children aged 5 and under enter for free. Visitors do not need to book.