A Berry Good Time: fruit picking in Kent and Sussex

As the sun comes out so does some of the best British produce – from juicy strawberries to tasty blackberries and succulent raspberries, the warmer weather brings the chance to pick the ripest fruit for yourself.

Luckily Kent and Sussex is home to many fantastic farms where you can pick your own fruit throughout the season. Providing the perfect opportunity for a day out, fruit picking is fun for all the family and a great way to keep the kids entertained while teaching them exactly where their fruit and vegetables are coming from.

These farms offer a huge variety of pick-your-own fruit – not only can you pick punnets of strawberries to your heart's content, but depending on the time of year you visit, you can also grab rarer finds that you won’t find on your average supermarket shelf, such as loganberries and redcurrants!

Many of our holiday parks in the South East are located a short drive (in some cases, along a beautiful beach!) from some of the top fruit farms in Kent and Sussex so if getting more of a ‘taste’ of the local area is on your bucket list, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of nearby fruit picking farms to help you make the most of your summer holiday.

Sharnfold Farm – Pevensey/Stone Cross (East Sussex)

Just a 15-minute drive from our Pevensey Bay Holiday Park is the hidden gem that is Sharnfold Farm. Open 6 days a week it offers a lovely coffee shop, children’s play area and a farm trail to explore alongside the fresh pickings, and is a wonderful day out. You’ll be able to pick not just your own strawberries and blackberries but (depending on the time of year) the likes of jostaberries and loganberries – or try your hand at digging for your own carrots! Loopy would surely approve, and it’ll tire the kids out for sure.

Where: Hailsham Rd, Stone Cross, Pevensey BN24 5BU

Tibbs Farm – Rye/Winchelsea (East Sussex)

Located just outside of Rye and open 7 days a week, Tibbs Farm is a great option for fruit picking while visiting East Sussex this summer. A 15 minute drive from both Rye Harbour and Winchelsea Sands holiday parks, Tibbs Farm specialises in pick-your-own fruit – offering strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, loganberries, tayberries (look them up!) and gooseberries – and carefully chooses the variety of each fruit grown to ensure delicious flavour every year. In addition to the great variety of fruit to pick, Tibbs Farm offers picturesque views over Tillingham Valley and some historic Oast houses which make for some special picnic spots, so after you’ve picked your berries you can have a nice view while you eat them, too!

Where: Tibbs Farm, Udimore, Rye TN31 6AR

Lower Hardres Farm Shop – near Canterbury (Kent)

While not offering the option to pick your own strawberries, Lower Hardres Farm Shop near Canterbury is still one of the best fruit picking farms in Kent – from pears and plums to raspberries and gooseberries, there’s a wide variety of fruit on offer and coming into season during the summer months. Open every day from June until September, Lower Hardres is about a 25 minute drive from several of our Kent parks including Alberta, Seaview, and a little further away, from Birchington Vale Holiday Park. As well as making a great day out, the selection of fruit to pick is made even better by the accompanying farm shop, where you can pick up more fresh produce, locally made cheeses and specialist sweet and savoury products  If you can’t treat yourself on holiday, when can you?!

Where: Lower Hardres, Canterbury CT4 5NU

Wakehams Farm Ltd – near Fairlight (East Sussex)

Open every day from June until September for fruit picking, Wakehams Farm near Fairlight is a delightful place to pick as much fresh fruit as you like and browse a farm shop that offers even more local Kent and Sussex produce; cheeses, pies and potatoes. Less than a 20 minute drive from both Winchelsea Sands and Rye Harbour holiday parks (and a beautiful drive at that – along Pett Level you’ll catch glimpses of the long stretch of sandy beaches!), Wakehams Farm is perfectly situated for a rewarding  countryside outing. Take advantage of the sunny British summer and pick traditional fruit offerings like strawberries and blackberries or (depending on the time of year you go) more fresh produce like rhubarb, broad and runner beans. While you have fun you’ll be supporting local farmers too – which will be sure to make your picks taste even sweeter!

Where: Wakehams Farm Ltd, Pett Level Rd, Hastings TN35 4ED