Strawberry season has started in the North East as pick your own farms open for their first weekends.
Strawberry season in the North East of England starts in mid-June and usually runs until late August. Some farms have decided to open their pick-your-own fields for the first time in 2022 this weekend, although others are choosing to wait a little longer
Picking your own allows you to select the juiciest and freshest fruit, instead of picking up boxed strawberries from greengrocers and supermarkets. It's a popular activity for families too, for a fun morning or afternoon out in the countryside.
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While some pick your own farms may not be open this weekend, they will start to between now and the end of July.
Where to pick your own strawberries near Newcastle and in the North East
We've taken a look at where you can pick strawberries within around an hour and a half drive from Newcastle. There is a choice in Northumberland, County Durham, North Yorkshire and the Scottish borders.
You can follow the farms on social media or call them up on the day to see which strawberry varieties are in season.
Brocksbushes, near Corbridge, Northumberland
The pick your own strawberry fields opened on Saturday June 11 at Brocksbushes. Slots for the opening weekend have all sold out. Brocksbushes says it is releasing more dates in the coming days and throughout the summer.
Head to https://brocksbushes.digitickets.co.uk/availability/ to book
"You need to book a timeslot to gain access to the PYO fruit fields. We release slots twice a week once we have completed our fruit checks, so if we are currently showing as sold out, sign up to the newsletter to be sent an email when new dates are available," Brocksbushes says.
You can sign up to Brocksbushes' newsletter here
FW Elgey, Low Fields, Piercebridge, near Darlington, County Durham
The Elgeys have been growing strawberries in the south of County Durham for more than four decades, having taken inspiration from Norfolk's pick your own farms.
A message on its website says the fruit picking season will start in "early July". You can follow them here on Facebook or on their website.
Fruity Berry Fruit Farm, Disforth Road, near Ripon, North Yorkshire
The strawberry fields at Fruity Berry are on raised guttering, which makes it more accessible for wheelchair users, the elderly and young children, says the farm's website.
The fruit farm will open in mid-June, it said on Facebook.
"We are happy to announce that we are opening on the 17th of June for our 2022 season. We are looking forward to seeing you all again and welcoming new customers."
Hutton Bonville Fruit Farm, Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Around five miles north of Northallerton, off the A167, you'll find Church Hill Farm, where Hutton Bonville Fruit farm is.
Its strawberry picking fields open on Sunday June 12, the farm confirmed on its website.
A message reads: "The strawberries are ripening now and are looking good. We will be open for the first time this year on Sunday 12th June 10 am to 5pm. Strawberries and Gooseberries will be ready to pick. We look forward to seeing everyone again.
Border Berries, Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Around an hour and a half from Newcastle, in Kelso, is the south of Scotland's largest pick your own berry farm, Border Berries. The farm has been growing strawberries since the 1960s.
"No polytunnels, just fresh air and Scottish sunshine to ripen our berries", its website reads.
Border Berries says it expects to open its picking fields "on or around" June 25.
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