Pick us a winner! It's time to get laden with fruit

FARMS OPEN UP FOR SUMMER TRADITION

- By ANNA FOX & ELLIS WHITEHOUSE

ESSEX is home to a huge range of pick your own fruit farms which you can visit this summer and laden up baskets with your favourites.

With summer now in full swing and temperatures high, pick your own season is well underway - and venues are welcoming visitors once again.

Picking your own fruit is a great activity for the whole family, as you can go searching for strawberries, cherries, apples, pears and plums.

The season for picking your own in the UK begins in June and ends in August, depending on the weather and region so make the most of it while you can. Whether you are prepping for a plum pavlova or a strawberry swiss roll, why not pick your own fruit to make your summer recipes even more special.

Here you can find where you can pick your own fruit in Essex.

Bloomfield Fruit Farm, Chipping Ongar

Located in the beautiful Essex countryside, Bloomfield Fruit Farm is a haven for plum pickers. Bloomfield offers visitors a vast plum orchard to explore, with staff on hand to provide excellent advice, in addition to recipe ideas.

Cammas Hall Fruit Farm, Hatfield Broad Oak