Pick Your Own Fruit

One of our favourite things to do in the summer is to go fruit picking. Although we don't have any PYO farms in the Romford area, there are some that aren't so far away - perfect for a day out! 

Don't forget...

• Check websites and social media pages before you travel to see what is available to pick - all are linked below
• Book tickets in advance and remember there may be a time restriction on how long you can stay
• Some farms release extra tickets the night before so keep checking!

🍓 Lathcoats Farm - Great Baddow, Chelmsford. CM2 8LX (approximately 30 - 35 minutes from Romford)
Lathcoats have a great selection of fruit to pick at various times. You'll find strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, tummelberries, currants and more. Visit the website for daily updates on ripe fruit available for picking (it's best to check later in the day when the staff have assessed what will be available for the following day). Booking essential. The The Bee Shed Coffee House is open for dining in with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available, open Monday to Saturday 9-4. You can also book an alpaca trek with All Things Alpaca at Lathcoats!

🍓 Cammas Hall Farm - Hatfield Broad Oak. CM22 7JT (approximately 45 - 50 minutes from Romford)
Cammas Hall is a very popular destination and they are operating a voucher system which is only available for pre booking. There are daily updates on their Facebook page with information about fruit availability. Booking slots are released a day or two in advance and must be booked on the website. You can check what produce is available here. The Tea Barn will be open for breakfast butties, light lunches, homemade cake and sausage rolls, cream teas and refreshments. On selected dates there will be a BBQ, pizza oven, beer tent and cocktail bar. (Check website for more info) There is plenty of covered outdoor seating area to shelter you from the sun and plenty of ice cream and cold drinks to help you keep cool. Farm shop, play area, sandpits and nature trail are also open daily (closed on Monday). Booking essential.

🍓  Parkside Farm - Enfield EN2 8LA (approximately 50 minutes from Romford)
Parkside has a great range of berries and some vegetables available at various times. Due to open for strawberries week commencing 19th June 2023. You can check availability on their website.  There is a farm shop on site selling local produce -  honey, fruit and ice creams. Open Tuesday - Sunday, closed on Monday. Booking essential.

🍓 McLauchlans of Boxted - Boxted Berries - CO4 5RB (approximately 1 hour from Romford)
The is a selection of fruit available to pick - strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, dessert gooseberries, broad beans & gooseberries. Check the 'Pickometre' on the website for information on what's available. There is a shop on site selling produce. There is no need to pre book.

🍓Bloomfield Farm - Chipping Ongar, CM5 0NB (approximately 35 - 40 minutes from Romford)
Known for their Czar plums! For opening times check Facebook page for up to date info.

Updated June 2024

To see the full list of secondary school open events which includes times of head teacher talks and booking information 

➡️CLICK HERE⬅️

You will also find all the information and links you need to complete your child's application here

I know it seems very early to be thinking about Halloween but I have been getting lots of requests for info so I will keep this section updated as we go along.

Currently these are the Pumpkin Picking venues which have opened their booking pages.

Pumpkin Picking

Updated 28/08/24

Summer is here, despite the weather not always playing ball, and I wanted to make sure you have access to everything you could need all in one place. So here are quick links to make life easier!  Don't forget you can download our FREE Summer Planner to help keep you on track.

😎What's on every day - check out the list of events and book where necessary

💦Splash Parks, Swimming Fun & Fountains - keep cool on those warm days

🎭Kids Week - take the kids to the West End FREE when you buy an adult ticket

🆓70 Free (and cheap) things to do in London with kids - make the most of free travel on TfLand explore the city

👍A-Z of Things to do for Tweens and Teens - we have over 60 ideas to keep them busy

🏂Adrenalin Junkies & Thrill Seekers - for the dare devils in the family

🍓PYO - lots of local farms where you can PYO fruit

🐾Trails - perfect for the younger kids and those who like to explore

💷25 Things to do for Around a Fiver - lets keep hold of the purse strings this summer and try not to spend a fortune every day

🥱101 Boredom Beating Ideas - when you've got to work and the kids are at home

🏖️Top Tips: A Great Day at the Beach - a day at the beach can be a disaster if you aren't prepared

🛝Our Top Ten Playgrounds - I bet you haven't been to them all

🌳Our Parks & Green Spaces - we are so fortunate to have so many beautiful parks on our doorstep. How many have you visited?

🧺Picnic Time - the best way to keep the cost of a day out down is to take a picnic

📚Summer Reading Challenge - completely free, just visit your local library

👔And finally, you may have a child transitioning to secondary school in September so it's a good time to have a think about this and how to best prepare you both - Top Tips: Transition to Secondary School