Hewitt's Farm shop

Hewitt’s Farm is a family-run farm just outside Orpington, Kent, that has been run by the same family for over 45 years. It grows a wide range of fruit and vegetables for pick-your-own and sells produce in its farm shop. Pick-your-own runs from around mid-July until October, starting with early orchard fruits and finishing with pumpkins. During the season the farm is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4.30pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm, with last entry one hour before closing. There is no entry fee and no need to book for individual visitors, though coach and minibus parties must arrange a visit two weeks in advance. You pay for the produce you pick by cash or card and should bring your own bags; boxes are available to buy on entry. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. There is a large free car park.

From the first week of December the farm sells cut Nordman fir and traditional Christmas trees in a range of sizes, along with potted trees, wreaths, mistletoe and tree stands.

The farm shop is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. It sells fresh fruit and vegetables from the farm and local Kent farms, over 90% of it loose, as well as free-range eggs, local honey, apple juice, preserves and biscuits. Free local delivery is available on fruit and vegetable boxes.

What visitors say

Pick in the fields and pay for what you gather; no booking is needed. What is ready changes from week to week. In a dry August some found little to pick while others had apples, plums, blackberries and courgettes. By September the apples are large and tasty, but you have to walk a little further to find the best ones. It can be tiring for small children, so take water. The farm shop sells own-grown fruit and veg, duck eggs, honey and apple juice. Prices are reasonable.

Autumn pumpkin picking is popular with children and reasonably priced, though some found the pumpkins laid out on the ground rather than on the vines. The family who run the place are friendly and helpful, and staff will carry a big haul to the shop. At Christmas they sell real trees in a good range of sizes, including 8ft.