Where to Pick Your Own fruit around Birmingham and the West Midlands

* This article was updated in June 2024 *

Strawberry season is upon us, bringing the sweet smell of quintessentially English summertime. Strawberry picking is one of the best ways to signal the fact that summer is finally here.

This year's season has come later than usual, due to the deluge of dark, damp days leading up to the sun finally coming out. Growers, however, say that this has enabled the fruit to ripen more slowly, making it bigger and juicier than ever.

We are blessed with plenty of Pick Your Own farms within easy reach of Birmingham. Lots of these garden nurseries have cafes and play areas so you can make a family afternoon out for all the family. We recommend checking opening times and available produce beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Read more: 20 garden centres and nurseries around Birmingham

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PYO at Essington Farm in Wolverhampton

Booking is essential for PYO at Essington Fruit Farm. Tickets cost £2.50 each, although children aged three and under go free and don't need a ticket. Owners say this is to avoid overcrowding at peak times and to ensure everyone has good availability of fruit to pick. Tickets are released within 48 hours to ensure there are enough strawberries for everyone to pick, so it's best to keep an eye on social media for ticket releases.

This enormous 50-acre site has fruit and vegetables for picking throughout the seasons. Strawberries are in season from mid June and then there are blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants, rhubarb, blackberries, plums and damsons plus vegetables later in the year.

You can make an afternoon of it by visiting the deli and restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch plus afternoon tea and Sunday lunch. There's also a farm shop and butchers for you to pick up additional groceries. Opening times are 9am to 5pm Monday to Sunday. Check PYO availability and book tickets via the Essington Fruit Farm website.

Bognop Road, Essington, Wolverhampton, WV112AZ

PYO at Caldicott's Nursery in Solihull

Strawberry picking is available Monday to Saturdays from 10am at Caldicott's Nursery. Originally an apple orchard with livestock, this family-run nursery is almost 100 years old.

The fruit area is mostly on flat, firm grass and easily accessible from the parking area. No dogs are allowed in the fruit areas. Owners recommend going in the morning for the best picking but the nursery is open until 5.30pm each day, except Sundays.

Choose from four different varieties of strawberries from mid-June and into July plus raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and blackberries too. You simply turn up and get picking. There's no admission fee, just a £5 fruit picking minimum per basket. Cash and card payments are accepted. Find out more via the Caldicott's Nursery website.

50 Lovelace Avenue, Solihull, B91 3JR

PYO at Clive's Fruit Farm in Worcestershire

It's best to check supplies before heading to Clive's Fruit Farm in Worcestershire as it can get very busy. No booking is required though and you can buy ready-picked fruit punnets in the farm shop.

Felix Clive became a 'pioneer of PYO' back in the 1960s when strawberries were first planted on the farm. Grown in table top troughs, you can pick your strawberries without having to bend down.

Raspberries will be available in late June, cherries in early July and plums from mid July onwards. You can pick plums from July to September, apples from mid-August through to October and pears in September and October.

Open 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturdays and 10am to 4pm Sundays, there's also a farm shop, coffee shop, children's play area. and juice shed. No dogs allowed. Check the Clive's Fruit Farm website for details.

Upper Hook Road, Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire WR8 0SA

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PYO at Canalside Farm in Stafford

Canalside Farm has been named 'Large Retailer of the Year' in the Midlands category of the Farm Shop and Deli Awards 2023. PYO costs £1 per person and children aged two and under go free. There's no need to book but the strawberries may sometimes need time to replenish and so the PYO might not always be available.

It's best to keep an eye on social media to make sure you can pick at Canalside. Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on their lead.

Strawberries will be followed with raspberries and blackberries in July and August. The PYO here is wheelchair and pushchair friendly with raised, waist-height plants to make picking easy for any age.

You can stop off for a bite to eat in the café or the coffee hut. Afternoon tea is on offer too. There's also a farm shop with a butcher and an artisan bakery plus a deli selling local produce and hampers. And, for planting in your own garden, you can visit the plant centre to pick up bulbs, seeds and ideas. Check the Canalside Farm website.

Mill Lane, Great Haywood, Stafford, ST18 0RQ

PYO at Stanleys Farm Shop near Kidderminster

Stanleys Farm Shop sits on a 250-acre family run farm, close to Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire. It has 25 acres designated for PYO seasonal produce.

Strawberries are available in June, July and August. There's no need to book and you can take your own containers. Refreshments are available from the 'Nom Nom Caboose' which serves homemade milkshakes and has outdoor seating and lovely views.

Raspberries and blackcurrants will come into season from July and damsons from August. There's also a farm shop where you can buy local fresh fruit and vegetables plus great snacks and treats from independent producers, such as Frank's Biscuits, Two Farmers hand cooked crisps and Nom salted caramel pots.

Fresh bread is delivered from Kings Fayre Bakery. And you can get pick and mix cakes from Allison's Kitchen. Check the Stanleys Farm Shop website to find out more.

Fishers Castle Farm, Harvington, Kidderminster DY10 4NF

PYO at Manor Farm Fruits in Tamworth

Manor Farm has been open for more than 50 years. There's lots to do here, including bouncy castles (weather permitting), a play area, sandpit, straw pyramid, balance beam, nature trail and maze.

PYO tickets cost £2 for adults and £4 for children, which includes unlimited time in the play area. Kids under one go free. You can just turn up but there's a chance you might not get in if it's busy.

There's a Snack Shack serving drinks, snacks and ice creams with an outdoor seating area where you can relax and enjoy the views of the Staffordshire countryside.

The Strawberry Cabin Tea Room and Restaurant is also open for more substantial meals. The PYO fields are open daily throughout the summer from 10am to 5pm, with the last admission at 4pm. Strawberries are followed by gooseberries and raspberries then blackcurrants and blackberries. Book via the Manor Farm Fruits website.

Watling Street, Hints, Tamworth, B78 3DF

PYO at Malt Kiln Farm in Coventry

Strawberries are available from the third week in June at Malt Kiln Farm. Owners operate a booking system to help 'match customer numbers to crop availability'. They won't allow walk-ins if fully booked so it's best to book ahead.

It costs £3 per person to pick and children under two go free. The entry fee is reimbursed against produce you pick in the field. Strawberries should be available right through to early September due to different varieties and planting times. Gooseberries and raspberries will also be available followed by blackcurrants in July and blackberries in early August.

There will also be runner beans, broad beans, sweetcorn, marrows, courgettes and pumpkins to pick too. Stop off for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at Rebecca's Kitchen whilst you're there. You can also pick up meat from the farm at the Butcher's Counter. Find out more about PYO via the Malt Kiln Farm website.

Stretton-under-Fosse, near Coventry, CV23 0PE

Best times for PYO fruit and vegetables

Rhubarb Late May

Strawberries Early June

Raspberries Late June

Gooseberries Late June

Blueberries Late July

Blackcurrants Early July

Plums August

Damsons August/September

Courgettes July

Marrows July

Runner Beans August/September

Sweetcorn August/September

Pumpkins October

Squash October

Top 5 PYO Tips

1. Take your own containers if you don't want the farm to charge you.

2. Supervise children to prevent over-picking, as you have to pay for all the fruit you've picked.

3. Wear sensible shoes, especially if it looks like rain. And step over strawberry beds, not on them.

4. Sampling is permitted but don't abuse this!

5. Don't take a picnic or dogs into the picking area.