Pick Your Own Fruit

One of our favourite things to do in the summer is to go fruit picking. Although we don't have any PYO farms in Romford, there are some that aren't so far away - perfect for a day out! 

Don't forget...

• Check websites and social media pages before you travel to see what is available to pick - all are linked below
• Book tickets in advance and remember there may be a time restriction on how long you can stay
• Some farms release extra tickets the night before so keep checking!

Lathcoats Farm - Great Baddow, Chelmsford. CM2 8LX (approximately 30 - 35 minutes from Romford)
Lathcoats have a great selection of fruit to pick at various times. You'll find strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, tummelberries, currants and more. Visit the website for daily updates on ripe fruit available for picking (it's best to check later in the day when the staff have assessed what will be available for the following day). Booking essential. The The Bee Shed Coffee House is open for dining in with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available, open Monday to Saturday 9-4. You can also book an alpaca trek with All Things Alpaca at Lathcoats!

Cammas Hall Farm - Hatfield Broad Oak. CM22 7JT (approximately 45 - 50 minutes from Romford)
Cammas Hall is a very popular destination and you must prebook to visit the PYO fields. There are daily updates on their Facebook page with information about fruit availability. Booking slots are released a day or two in advance and must be booked on the website. You can check what produce is available here. The Tea Barn will be open for breakfast butties, light lunches, homemade cake and sausage rolls, cream teas and refreshments. On selected dates there will be a BBQ, pizza oven, beer tent and cocktail bar. (Check website for more info) There is plenty of covered outdoor seating area to shelter you from the sun and plenty of ice cream and cold drinks to help you keep cool. Farm shop, play area, sandpits, maize maze, footgolf and nature trail are also open daily (closed on Monday). Booking essential.

 Parkside Farm - Enfield EN2 8LA (approximately 50 minutes from Romford)
Parkside has a great range of berries and some vegetables available at various times. You can check availability on their website.  There is a farm shop on site selling local produce -  honey, fruit and ice creams. Open Tuesday - Sunday, closed on Monday. Booking essential.

McLauchlans of Boxted - Boxted Berries - CO4 5RB (approximately 1 hour from Romford)
The is a selection of fruit available to pick - strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, dessert gooseberries, broad beans & gooseberries. Check the 'Pickometre' on the website for information on what's available. There is a shop on site selling produce. There is no need to pre book.

Bloomfield Farm - Chipping Ongar, CM5 0NB (approximately 35 - 40 minutes from Romford)
Known for their Czar plums! For opening times check Facebook page for up to date info.

Updated June 2025

Our Guide to October Half Term & Halloween

The website is jam packed with ideas so have a l=good look and you'll find endless things to do this half term.

Download our planner to print at home. It's a great way to stay organised and plan your week, especially if you are juggling work and childcare!

EVENTS

There are over 80 events running over the Halloween season and all can be found on our ➡️ What's On guide.

Here are just a few of our favs!

Squirrel's Heath School Pumpkin Trail - download the map and follow the trail

Scarecrow Trail - in the streets around Engayne School

Howdy Halloween Party with Jelly Jade - The Mercury Shopping Centre
Southend FREE Fireworks - a great reason for a trip to the seaside on a crisp autumn day!
Halloween Festival at Hopefield - visit this great local animal sanctuary for lots of Halloween fun
Essex Fire Museum Open Day - everyone loves a day at the fire station
Halloween Tutu Making Workshop - Romford Shopping Hall
The Haunted Hotel - The Liberty Shopping Centre
Escape Room Treasure Hunt - Elm Park Library
Ghostly Ghouls Create & Play - 2 hours at Queens Theatre
Halloween Party with Party Monsters - Thames Chase Forest Centre

Don't forget to check out the rest of whats on by visiting our what's on guide.

HOLIDAY CLUBS

We have a great selection of clubs running locally this October. Check out the details here. You'll also find lots of posters for current clubs on the pinned post on our Facebook page.

Here are a couple we love!

Jam Dance Company

Hylands Tennis Club

PUMPKIN PICKING

There are lots of options - hey why not visit more than one!
You'll find a list of 11 different venues which are all fairly local, within 45 minutes of Romford, here.

Frightening Fun & Scary Snacks

Having a party and need to come up with some cool snacks for your guests? Check out these ideas

The Extras...

Halloween Movie suggestions

Rainy Day Scavenger Hunt

Places to go on a Rainy Day

50 Things to do on a Rainy Day

Autumn Scavenger Hunt