REVIEW: Strawberry Picking at Lotmead Farm - A Sweet Summer Treat

We recently visited Lotmead Farm for an afternoon of strawberry picking, and it didn't disappoint. As soon as you arrive, there's ample parking right by the entrance, with toilets, a lovely little café, a farm shop and an outdoor play area for the kids all close by, perfect for making a full day of it.

From the moment we walked in, the whole place had such a warm, welcoming feel. We were greeted in the farm shop by some of the friendliest, most welcoming staff, who talked us through exactly how the strawberry picking works and pointed us in the right direction, nothing felt rushed, and you could tell they genuinely wanted us to enjoy our visit.

From there, it's just a short walk out to the fields, where row after row of beautifully grown strawberries stretch out in front of you, there's so much space and plenty to pick from, even on a busy day. There's something really peaceful about wandering through the rows at your own pace; it's such a calm, relaxing way to spend an afternoon, away from the usual hustle and bustle.

We grabbed a large basket for £15 and happily filled it to the top with the sweetest, ripest red strawberries. Walking through the rows, the air was filled with that unmistakable sweet strawberry smell, and we were lucky enough to have glorious sunshine for the whole visit.

It's a brilliant activity for all ages, we saw kids running around having the time of their lives, having little competitions to see who could find the biggest strawberry, while still being a lovely, gentle pace for anyone wanting a quieter day out.

Once we'd finished picking, we couldn't resist a browse around the farm shop afterwards, it's well worth a look, stocking fresh milk, fresh juices, sweets, cookies and toys for the kids, along with delicious Marshfield Farm ice cream. There's also a lovely outdoor seating area where you can relax with a milkshake or coffee before heading home. A genuinely lovely, feel-good day out that we'd happily do it again.

Lotmead also runs PYO for a range of other fruit and veg throughout the season, so it's well worth checking their website for the latest timetable of what's ready to pick.

Helpful Facts for Your Visit

Location: Lotmead Pick Your Own, Wanborough Road, Wanborough, Swindon, SN4 0SN — just off Junction 15 of the M4, around 1.5 hours from west London, 45 minutes from Oxford, and 45 minutes from Bristol.

Opening Times: Farm Shop, Café and PYO open daily 9.30am–5pm during the main season (approx. Easter–Christmas). PYO is subject to fruit availability, so it's worth checking their Facebook page for daily picking updates before you go.

Parking: Ample free parking right by the entrance.

Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times and cleaned up after.

Can I bring my own container? Yes! Lotmead encourages visitors to bring their own containers or reuse ones from previous visits. Just make sure to have it weighed in the shop before heading out into the field, so they know how much to deduct from your final price.