Essington Farm

One of our favourite PYO farms is Essington Fruit Farm. I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl. I would visit with my Grandma Hines who owned The Duke of Cambridge (a real ale) pub in Willenhall. We would come strawberry picking and my Grandma would find a section she liked and would just sit down on the ground picking them (they used to grow the strawberries in the ground in those days). So whenever I come back, I smile remembering those fun days with my (now departed and much missed) Grandma.

I come back every year to the PYO fields, but frequent the lovely farm shop much more often (you can get such great quality meat and fresh produce all served by the loveliest staff).

Essington Farm is a family business run by the Simkin family who have farmed in Essington since 1892, retailing quality produce from the farm since that date. With a commitment to providing the freshest produce as possible and, as they grow their own produce, it is often the case that fruit and vegetables are less than an hour old before they are sold in the farm shop.

The farm opened up their own restaurant in 1990 which offered fantastic homemade bakes and fresh produce. The restaurant is still very popular although currently is being used as part of the shop to help with social distancing during the pandemic.

The Butchery and Deli opened in 2007, giving an outlet for their own free-range pork and Hereford beef, as well as lamb from neighbouring farmers.

We came along yesterday to do the PYO fields. The opening hours of the fields are varied during the pandemic, so I recommend either ringing up or checking the website for opening hours. Yesterday they were open 10am to 4pm, but last week were open 4pm to 8pm. So do check before you head there.

They are following fantastic social distancing measures. A maximum of 4 people per party. No eating in the fields. Follow the directions. Pay by card if you can and be prepared to wait if it is busy. Sadly they do not have toilet facilities currently, so do make sure little ones go to the toilet at home before you head out. There’s also hand sanitiser at all entrances.

A deposit per person is charged when you arrive. £2 a person (3’s and under go free). This deposit is redeemable against the fruit you pick and purchase. Although if you spend less, you don’t get your deposit back.

Yesterday we picked Strawberries, Blueberries, plums, damsons, corn and runnerbeans.

They had plenty of strawberries, damsons and corn left, but the others you had to hunt more for. They do also have rhubarb to pick. But none of my family like that, so we didn’t get any.

We got to see the Pumpkins growing for Halloween too, which we can’t wait to come back and pick.

Highly recommend Essington Farm in every way. The shop, the PYO fields, the restaurant when it is open and the chance to see a few animals too. We saw the cows yesterday which the girls loved seeing.

Address : Essington Farm, Bognop Road, Essington, Wolverhampton, WV11 2AZ.

Telephone : 01902 735 724
Email : info@essingtonfarm.co.uk