Pick up your punnets, fruit fans! The sun is shining (most of the time) and we’re getting ready for a sweet summer filled with fruit-picking forays. The suggestion of strawberry picking is one of those rare things: a trip out that all of our children can agree on. After all, what’s not to love? Rolling green hills, sunshine warming your skin, and row upon row of brilliant berries just waiting to be plucked (or if toddlers are involved, wrangled). It’s an all-round family pleaser of a summer activity, so we’ve put together a guide to the best places to forage for your own fruit and flowers around York. And why not head back in October when the fields have turned orange and pick your own pumpkin too? Here are three of the best places to pick your own near York.
You might like ☀️ The Best of Summer in York for Kids
Three Best Places for Pick Your Own Strawberries Near York
The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge
A multi Little Vikings Award winner and a firm favourite with local families, The Balloon Tree combines strawberry picking with a lovely farm shop, café and little outdoor play area, so there’s plenty to fill a morning even if the fields are quiet. Picking is on a pay as you go basis with no need to book ahead, though fields do close for a rest once they’ve been picked over, so check their socials before heading out. There’s a small entry fee per picker, then strawberries are priced by weight. The Balloon Tree reopens for pumpkin picking in October, which is a brilliant autumn activity.
📍The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York YO41 1NB
🗓 Strawberry season runs through summer, check live updates before visiting
ℹ️ Visit The Balloon Tree website
Spilmans, Sessay
This is an authentic family farm experience near Thirsk, around half an hour from York. Spilmans grows its strawberries uncovered, leaving them to ripen naturally in the Yorkshire sun, alongside raspberries, blackberries and gooseberries. There’s a café and play barn on site too, serving wood fired pizza and homemade lunches, if you’re feeling peckish. It’s only open on selected dates and tickets need to be booked online in advance, so this isn’t one for a spur of the moment trip. Spilmans also runs a popular pumpkin festival from October, with tickets released earlier in the year.
📍Spilmans, Church Farm, Sessay, Thirsk YO7 3NB
🗓 PYO strawberry season runs from early June, open on selected dates
ℹ️ Book tickets at Spilmans
Kemps Farm, Barton-le-Street
A short drive from York near Malton, Kemps has been growing fruit for pick your own since 1984, specialisting in strawberries and raspberries. It’s a proper working farm, with cattle and turkeys alongside the fruit fields, which is a novelty for farm-mad kids. Picking is seasonal and weather dependent, so check the website for current opening times before you travel.
📍 Kemps Farm, Glebe Farm, Barton-le-Street, Malton YO17 6PP
🗓 Summer fruit picking, opening times vary by season
ℹ️ Visit the Kemps Farm website
When Is Strawberry Picking Season Near York?
Strawberry picking around York typically runs from early June through to late summer, though exact dates depend on the weather and how quickly each field gets picked. Fields can close for a few days at a time to let fruit ripen, especially after a busy weekend, so it’s always worth checking a farm’s website or social media on the day you plan to visit.
Don’t Forget Pumpkin Picking in October
Several of these farms switch from strawberries to pumpkins once autumn arrives. The Balloon Tree and Spilmans both run dedicated pumpkin picking events in October, with Spilmans’ pumpkin festival in particular drawing crowds from across Yorkshire. Worth popping a reminder in the calendar now if you want to bag tickets early.
FAQs
Do I need to book to pick your own strawberries near York?
It depends on the farm. The Balloon Tree doesn’t require booking, while Spilmans runs ticketed event days that need booking online in advance. Always check the individual farm’s website before you go.
How much does strawberry picking cost near York?
Most farms charge a small entry fee per picker (often a couple of pounds), then charge for the strawberries you pick by weight. Exact pricing varies by farm and season.
Is pick your own strawberry picking suitable for toddlers?
Yes, it’s a popular activity for younger children, but the ground can be uneven so a baby carrier is a better alternative to a buggy.
When do the pumpkin patches near York open?
Pumpkin picking typically starts in October. The Balloon Tree and Spilmans both run dedicated pumpkin events, with Spilmans releasing festival tickets earlier in the year.
