2025 Sussex Blackberry U-Pick Farms and Orchards

Blackberry U-Pick Orchards in Sussex in 2025, by county

Below are the PYO orchards and farms for blackberries and other brambles that we know of in this area. Not all areas have blackberries and other brambles orchards or farms that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

East Sussex

• Kent & Sussex Apple Juice and Cider Centre - PYO: Apples, plums, blackberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries
  Perryhill Orchard, Edenbridge Road, Hartfield. Phone: 01892 770595. Open: Although not available this year, P.Y.O. is usually available between June and October from a variety of soft fruits, apples, and pears. When we do resume PYO again in the future you will be able to enjoy picking: blackberries, Plums (Czar, Victoria, Valour, and Marjorie seedlings), Apples (Discovery, Katy, James Grieve, Perryhill Pippin, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Golden Delicious, Bramley, Egremont Russet, Spartan, Red Jonathan, Winston, Jonagold)
  Pears (Conference, Concorde, Comice), We apologise for any inconvenience. Directions: Equidistant (5m) Tunbridge Wells & E Grinstead. On B2026 1 mile N of Hartfield village. Commercial fruit farm with farm shop and PYO; home deliveries possible; also at local farmers' markets. The farm shop has Orchard & soft fruits, fresh vegetables, free range eggs, preserves, honey, local and other wines, fruit juices. Facilities: Ample parking, scenic walks, easy access for disabled. (UPDATED: July 10, 2015, JBS)
• Maynards PYO - PYO: Apples, apricots, cherries, plums, damsons, strawberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, Raspberries, Loganberries, Tayberries, rhubarb, cobnuts, Tummelberries
  Windmill Hill Farm, Cross Lane, Ticehurst near Wadhurst. Phone: 01580 200394. Open: 9 am to 6 pm, see their website or call to check availability. The farm shop has a small shop open only during the PYO season with pre-picked items only. Facilities: Ample parking, toilets, easy access for disabled, nearby pub.
  Morellos (cherries) We are one of the longest established Pick your own fruit farms in the UK, based in East Sussex. We are proud to have created a farm that all the family can enjoy - and once you've had your fill of fruit picking, head down to our shed for a delicious apple juice or scoop of Maynards very own ice cream. (UPDATED: June 21, 2020, JBS)
• Oast Farm Buxted - blackberries, currants (red and black), gooseberries, raspberries (red), strawberries, Honey from hives on the farm, Fresh eggs, U-pick and already picked
  Oast Farm, Lephams Bridge, Buxted, TN224AU. Phone: 01825 733592. Open: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4:30 pm Sunday 10am to 3:30 pm. Directions: We are on the A272 between Buxted and Five Ash Down. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards. (UPDATED: 26 July 2023, JBS) (UPDATED: July 10, 2015, JBS) (ADDED: June 23, 2014)
• Sharnfold Farm (Stone Cross Nurseries) - PYO: blackberries, black & redcurrants, gooseberries, Loganberries, Raspberries, strawberries, Tayberries, beetroot, broad beans, courgettes, carrots, French beans, mange-tout, onions, marrows, peas, spinach, sweetcorn, Christmas trees
  Hailsham Road, Stone Cross, Pevensey. Phone: 01323 768490. Email: farmoffice@sharnfoldfarm.co.uk. Open: See their website for current hours; from early May to end September. Directions: On B2104 Stone Cross/Hailsham Rd next to Coopers ph. . 40 acres of PYO crops providing activity for customers. Coarse fishing lake for anglers (Tench, Roach, Perch). The farm shop has Asparagus. Orchard & soft fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, cream, free range eggs, preserves, fruit juices, honey. Also Christmas trees. What’s in season for Pick Your Own; Please see our ‘In Season’ announcements on the home page.
• Tibbs Farm - cherries, currants (red and black), Loganberries, raspberries (yellow), strawberries, Tayberries,
  Udimore Rye, Rye, TN31 6AX. Phone: 07710 246302. Email: wheelersflp@googlemail.com. Open: Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 6:30 pm from Mid June to end July. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. Click here for our Facebook page. Cherries come already picked. We sell hop bines for decorative purposes from end of August to end of September. From early December we also have ready cut christmas trees. (ADDED: March 12, 2015)

West Sussex

• Grange Farm Shop and PYO - Apples, currants (red and black), gooseberries, pears, plums, rhubarb, strawberries, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, gift shop
  Grange Farm, Funtington, Near Chichester, PO18 9LN. Phone: 01243575372. Email: enquiries@grangefarmshop.com. Open: PYO open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 4 pm according to crop availability which is usually May to late October; Our farm shop is open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm all year. . Directions: Grange Farm is situated at the western edge of the village of Funtington only five miles from Chichester. The orchard and PYO is on the south side of the road with the shop on the north side. There is plenty of parking on both sides of the road. Click here for a map and directions. Free tastings of our fruit always available. Payment: Cash, Cheque, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. We also grow rhubarb, gooseberries, asparagus, damsons, greengages. 11 varieties of apples, 8 varieties of plums, and 4 varieties of pears. Our farm shop stocks a wide range of foods and gifts. We also stock cheeses, locally baked cakes and bread, biscuits, pies, preserves, our own fruit juices, honey, smoked fish, cards and presents. We support local farmers and British manufacturers. The shop is lively and interesting and as far removed from a supermarket as it is possible to be so if you care about food miles you will enjoy shopping with us. (UPDATED: July 9, 2015, JBS) (UPDATED: August 01, 2011) (ADDED: May 22, 2008) 
• New House Farm Shop and PYO - strawberries, raspberries,
  Old Crawley Road, Faygate, Horsham, RH12 4RU. Phone: 01293 851890. Email: shop@newhousefarmshop.co.uk. Open: In June and July you can pick our famous strawberries and raspberries; 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm (shop); 10am - 5pm (Tea Room); PYO strawberries will be ready from Wednesday 24th June; Please continue to check the website for the raspberry picking date.Enjoy a traditional pastime with all the family and make sure your children get their five a day in a fun way! New House Farm Shop and Tea Room is located in a 16th Century Sussex barn which has been renovated to the highest possible standard. The shop sells locally sourced products including fresh fruit and veg, fresh bread, meat, wine, cider and ale, cheese/deli, store cupboard essentials, ready meals, ice cream and local crafts. We are thrilled to announce the our tea room has just been voted Best Tea Room in the Sussex Life Food and Drinks Awards 2104. Come and see for yourself; you can choose from locally baked cakes and cupcakes, sandwiches, breakfasts and Ploughman’s and of course a range of teas coffees, chocolate and soft drinks. It’s all set within the beautiful Sussex countryside on the outskirts of Horsham. It’s worth a visit just to see the barn and its vaulted roof! (UPDATED: 26 July 2023, JBS) (ADDED: July 11, 2015, JBS)
• Roundstone Farm - Strawberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Blackcurrants, Redcurrants, Tayberries, Loganberries, blackberries, Rhubarb, Plums, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Butternut Squash, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Courgettes, French Beans, Kohl Rabi, Mange Tout Peas, Marrows, Onions, Pak Choi, Peas, Pumpkins, Runner Beans, Spinach, Sugar Snaps Peas, Swede, Sweetcorn, Turnips and Wallflowers.
  Littlehampton Road, Ferring (near Worthing), West Sussex BN12 6PW. Phone: 01903 770670. Open: from late May until the end of September, subject to weather, 7 days a week, from 9 am to 5 pm (Last customer 4:30pm). Directions: Map: click here. A259 north side, between Worthing and Littlehampton at Ferring. Farm offers fruit and vegetables for PYO and in farm shop. Extensive PYO range. The farm shop has orchard & soft fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, dairy produce, free range eggs, locally baked bread, preserves, cakes, fruit juices, honey. Ample parking, picnic area, plants & shrubs, toilets, tractor rides, easy access for disabled, car boot sales . Roundstone Pick Your Own Farm Facebook page. (UPDATED: July 19, 2018)

Brambleberry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

If you are getting ready to pick some brambles, either at a farm or along the roadside, you might want some useful information first! Brambles are both wild and domestic blackberries as well as similar sprawling berries, which typically includes the various hybrids like Loganberries, Tayberries, Boysenberries, and raspberries. Brambles typically peak during July, but it can range from early June through October, especially since new everbearing varieties like the American PrimeArk blackberries have been commercialized.

Varieties of Brambleberries, Blackberries, Raspberries and Hybrids

There almost countless variants of brambles. See this page for detailed descriptions of many bramble varieties found at British farms and orchards.

 

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
    
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Blackberries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Blackberries more than 5 inches deep will bruise the lower berries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the plastic storage containers.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

Tips on How to Pick Bramble berries

1. There are two types of brambles to know about: thorny and thornless! Obviously, the thornless are easier to pick, but some people claim the thorny varieties are sweeter. With the thorny plants, you want to reach into the plant in the gaps, so you don't need to touch anything but the berry you're after, avoiding the thorns.
2. A ripe blackberry is deep black with a plump, full feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. If the berry is red or purple, it's not ripe yet.
3. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries. Unlike strawberries, blackberries are usually pretty tough, I dump mine into the bucket. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
4. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick brambles or blackberries from your garden or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Pick only the berries that are fully black, or a purple. Of course, there are a few varieties that are yellow orange or red when ripe, too. Typically, the should feel firm and plump and readily separate from the plant with a gentle tug. .
2.  Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you will find loads of berries that other people missed!
3. Avoid placing the picked berries in the sunlight any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Blackberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week, depending upon the initial quality of the berry. After a few days in storage, however, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor and tends to shrivel.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting berries
3. Put a couple of days supply into the fridge, wash off the others, drain them and freeze them up! (Unless you're going to make jam right away) Blackberries are less perishable than blueberries or strawberries, but refrigerate them as soon as possible after picking. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze the blackberries (while they are in the fridge)!
4. Even under ideal conditions blackberries will only keep for a week in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, use them as soon as possible after purchase

Blackberry Recipes, Freezing and Jam directions

1. How to make Blackberry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Blackberry jam directions - very easy!
2. How to make Blackberry jelly
3. How to freeze berries
4. Blackberry syrup, make and can it!
5. Seedless blackberry pie!
6. Blackberry Festivals: Where, When and More to Find an Blackberry Festival Near You this year:

Blackberry Facts and Tips

• Black Raspberries, also known as "black caps" are a very healthy food; packed with anthocyanins!
• The USDA says 1 cup (228 ml) of blackberries has about 62 calories.
• 1 cup of blackberries, not packed down weighs about 140 grams.
• Select plump, firm, fully blackberries. Unripe berries will not ripen once picked.
• Ohio State University's Article Regarding Their Prevention of Cancer
• Oregon Berry Black Raspberry Brochure
• Blackberry tea was said to be a cure for dysentery during the Civil War. During outbreaks of dysentery, temporary truces were declared to allow both Union and Confederate soldiers to "go blackberrying" to forgage for blackberries to ward off the disease.
• Blackberries were enjoyed by the ancient Greeks, who believed them to be a cure for diseases of the mouth and throat, as well as a preventative against many ailments, including gout.
• The blackberry leaf was also used as an early hair dye, having been recommended by Culpeper, the English herbalist, to be boiled in a lye solution in order to "maketh the hair black".
• Guide to blackberry varieties
• Researchers have known for quite some time that berries contain antioxidants which help to fight cancer causing free radicals. A study at the University of Ohio has found that blackberries are the most potent cancer fighting berries of them all, by nearly 40 percent!
• U-pick Blackberry farms typically sell berries by the pound. A quart equals 1 and 1/2 pounds of fresh berries.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Blackberries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze berries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The berries will keep for many months frozen without air.
• Want to go to a blackberry festival? See this page for a list!