Lillingstone Pick Your Own

Lillingstone Pick Your Own sits just outside Buckingham in Northamptonshire, offering the sort of afternoon activity that actually works with kids rather than against you. You're picking fruit and veg straight from the fields - strawberries, raspberries, apples depending on the season - and there's something about letting children loose with a basket that keeps them occupied for hours without screens.

It's a working farm, so what you get depends entirely on what's in season. Summer's the obvious time to visit, when the soft fruit is at its best. The operation is straightforward: you pay, grab a basket or container, head out to the fields, and pick what you fancy. No pretence, no gift shop nonsense. Just honest, muddy fun.

Families will find it worthwhile, particularly those with younger kids who need a proper break from the car. The pick-your-own model means everyone stays busy and engaged rather than trudging behind while someone takes photos. You'll need to allow a couple of hours to make it worth the trip.

Geographically, it's close enough to the cluster of campsites around Silverstone - Hedgehog Retreat is barely a mile away - that it works well as part of a broader camping holiday in the area. Pop in for an afternoon between exploring the nearby market town of Buckingham and whatever else you've got planned. Check ahead for opening times and what's currently available to pick, as farm operations shift with the weather and harvest.