Food for thought
Pick your own? Yes, a ‘berry’ good idea!
KENT’s reputation as the Garden of England does not come without reason. The county benefits from warm
continental air in the summer, making the growth of fruit one of its trademarks. Fruit has also been a big part of Kent’s economy. It is thought that England’s first commercial fruit nursery was planted by Richard Harris, Henry VIII’s head fruiterer, at New Gardens, Teynham, 400 years ago. Commercial production of fruit has changed dramatically
over the last 50 years with the mass removal of less viable traditional orchards leaving just a few scattered throughout the countryside. However, these still offer opportunities to pick your own
fruit so you can sample, at first hand, the delights on offer in Kent. - Chilton Manor Farm in Highsted Road is just outside
Sittingbourne. It is open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays, 10am to 4pm, from late May to the end of October. Strawberries can be picked until the end of July. Loganberries and redcurrants can be picked for one month from mid-June. You can pick your own blackcurrants and blackberries from early June to September, and do the same with apples and pears from mid-September. These fruits, as well as others, are available at the farm shop.
- Stonepits Farm in Seal, Sevenoaks, became a local
household name in the late 1800s as a major fruit and hop-growing enterprise sending produce to the London markets by horse-drawn transport. It offers a choice of six varieties of strawberries and anticipates a record- breaking raspberry crop from its canes of tulameen and glen ample. There is also an experimental row of loganberries. It is open every day until the beginning of August. - The Barn Yard Farm Shops and Gore Farm, Upchurch,
Sittingbourne. From the end of July there will be a maze and conservation-based nature trails to amuse the children. Pick your own soft fruits, and visit the charming shops and café on site. Open daily from June to August, 10am-5pm. - Downingbury Farm in Maidstone Road, Pembury,
offers the chance to pick strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plums and a wide range of apples. It is open daily, 9am-6pm. - Maynards Farm in Cross Lane, Ticehurst, is 25 minutes
from Tunbridge Wells. The 50-acre site overlooks Bewl Water and is open from 9am to 8pm from June to October. Strawberries and gooseberries are available from June, with raspberries, cherries and currants the following month, before the onset of apples and plums in late summer. Other fruit is also available.
P J’S Farm Shop Seasonal vegetables/salads Vegetable box’s made to order & delivered locally
Local fruit Free range eggs C W Parkers & Son fine cheese’s, ham, bacon etc Korkers sausages Clearly juice
Kentish made pies Meat from East Sutton Park Milk/cream/yoghurts from Hinxden Dairy
Marmalades, Chutneys, Jams, Pickles & Salad Dressings, Local honey Grumpy Mule coffee’s, Locally baked bread, Vegetable Plants,
Bedding Plants & Hanging Baskets, Sweet peas & seasonal cut flowers, Hand made crafts
Orchard Place, Heniker Lane, Sutton Valence, Kent. ME17 3ED (We are behind the Total Garage on the main road to Headcorn)
Tel :- 01622 840272 / 07984623424 Open Monday – Saturday 8.30 – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm 20 Mid Kent Living
Also
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