Fruity Flavours

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The region is noted for its fruit - wander through ancient orchards, and enjoy pick-your-own from strawberries to raspberries and plums.

Look out also for the farm shops, wayside stalls and farmers' markets where you can pick up the fresh produce.

Wisbech is famed for its apples and pears - the first orchards planted here in the mid 1800's. Take a stroll around Willock Farm, where way-marked paths lead you through 22 acres, featuring many regional fruit varieties.

Shenley Park (nr. St. Albans) is also noted for its fine orchard, planted in the early 1900's. There are over 450 apple trees, with an emphasis on species that originate from Hertfordshire. Explore on the way-marked paths, then purchase some refreshing apple juice. 

One of the most famous Essex food brands is Wilkin and Sons at Tiptree. The first jams were made in
1885 - and you can visit their little museum, then try the unique ‘Little Scarlet' in the tearoom.

Look out also for the greengage, a small round green plum which was introduced to Britain in the 18th C. by Sir Thomas Gage of Hengrave Hall (nr. Bury St. Edmunds).

Other fruits go into making delicious ice cream - Hadley's at Colne Engaine (nr. Colchester);
milkshakes - Wicks Manor Farm in Tolleshunt Major (nr. Maldon); and fruit cream ices - Alder Carr Farm at Needham Market, such as refreshing Gooseberry. Set around the village of Boxford (nr. Hadleigh), the orchards of Copella have provided delicious produce for their freshly press juices since 1969.

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Pick your Own

Get out in the fresh air at our pick-your-own farms - with plums, gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries galore.

Bedfordshire

Grove Farm PYO, Ivinghoe (nr. Leighton Buzzard)
+44 (0)1296 668175. www.grovefarmpyo.co.uk

Cambridgeshire

Sunclose Farm, Butt Lane, Milton (nr. Cambridge)
+44 (0)1223 860522.

Essex

Carpenters Farm Shop, St. Mary's Road, Great Bentley (nr. Colchester)
+44 (0)1206 250221. www.carpentersfarmshop.co.uk

Craner Produce Soft Fruit Farm, Merryleas, Common Road, Broadley Common, Waltham Abbey
+44 (0)1992 892862.

Jarman's Nursery, East Road, East Mersea (nr. Colchester)
+44 (0)1206 386387.

Lathcoats Farm, Beehive Lane, Galleywood (nr. Chelmsford)
+44 (0)1245 353021. www.eapples.co.uk

McLauchlans of Boxted (nr. Colchester)
+44 (0)1206 272275. www.boxtedberries.com

Mill Farm Strawberries, Thorrington (nr. Colchester)
+44 (0)1206 303007. www.millfarmstrawberries.co.uk

Spencers Farm Shop, Wickham Fruit Farm, Wickham St. Pauls (nr. Halstead)
+44 (0)1787 269476. www.spencersfarmshop.co.uk

Hertfordshire

Cammas Hall Fruit Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak (nr. Bishop's Stortford)
+44 (0)1279 718777. www.chff.co.uk

Hawkswick Lodge Farm, Harpenden Road, St. Albans
+44 (0)1727 831224. www.hawkswickfruit.co.uk

Pearce's Farm Shop, Hamels Park Farm, Buntingford
+44 (0)1920 821246. www.pearcesfarmshop.com

Norfolk

Fairgreen Farms, Middleton (nr. King's Lynn)
+44 (0)7928 533846. www.blueberrypicking.co.uk

Plumbe and Maufe, Leith House Orchards, Burnham Overy Town (nr. Burnham Market)
+44 (0)1328 738311. www.pmfarming.co.uk

Suffolk

Alder Carr Farm, Creeting St. Mary (nr. Stowmarket)
+44 (0)1449 720820. www.aldercarrfarm.co.uk

Goslings Farm, High Road, Trimley St. Martin (nr. Felixstowe)
+44 (0)1394 273361. www.goslingsfarm.co.uk

Wheldons Fruit Farm, Newton Leys (nr. Sudbury)
+44 (0)1787 374322. www.wheldonsfruitfarm.co.uk

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Regional Recipes

Try one of our regional recipes using fruit.

Apple Dumplings
Warden Pie (pears)
Greengage Tart (plums)