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

Cheap & Cheerful Ideas for Spring 2026

It's that time of year when we really want to get out and about with our children but we are still feeling the pinch after Christmas. February Half Term is lurking and we need some suggestions. So here we go with a few ideas...

• Playgrounds - there are so many great playgrounds around, some in Romford and some a little further afield. We love to go a little further and visit somewhere different.  Check our our Top 10 Playgrounds here
• Trails - there so many trails to do that the kids will love. Just remember while the trails may be free, there will be parking costs at most of the venues. In addition to the trails mentioned in our article here,  there is also the new Stick Man trail at Thames Chase which has just launched.
• Parks & Woodland we are so lucky in Havering to have so many great country parks to explore. Get the wellies on and let the kids do some splashing in muddy puddles! Check out some suggestions here
• Beaches - ok so its not beach weather I agree, but we love to go hunting for shells or pretty pebbles at this time of year. A day by the sea is invigorating and not too busy either. Beaches near us
• Pets Corner Harlow - this is a great free venue to visit although they do rely on donations. Pets Corner can be found in Harlow Town Park which is another new park to explore and get to know. Parking charges will apply.
• Planes - we love to go and watch the planes at either Damyns Aerodrome at Upminster or Stapleford Airfield at Stapleford Abbots. Both have a cafe with an enclosed garden area so you can enjoy a coffee while the kids enjoy the planes. 
• Mighty Mornings at Vue - bargain cinema visits for just £2.49 per person on weekend and daily during school holidays
• Feed the ducks/geese - Why not feed the ducks at Raphael Park or Langtons Gardens (you might even spot a couple of turtles in the lake here!) or visit the swans at Harrow Lodge Park. It's not recommended to feed the birds bread any more but you can get some ideas of what to feed them here
• Farms - Wellgate Community Farm is open daily and is free to visit. You can also visit Foxburrows Farm in Hainault County Park which is free to visit although there are parking charges here. 
• Percy The Park Keeper - pop down to Raphael Park and visit this local hero - Percy can be found as you walk past the lake, take the path to the left. This has recently been resurfaced which will make it more easily accessible now. 
• Havering Museum is free for children to visit, adults pay just £3. It's open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Updates Loading...

Please bear with us while we update the information held on Mum's guide to Romford.

There are over 1100 business listed in our directory and it will take considerable time to go through them all and ensure that all of these listings are up to date.

There will also be updates coming for February half term! Watch this space!