Strawberry picking at Syston Park Farm in Grantham is more popular than ever

Fruit picking at a farm has become more of a family experience over the years according to the owner.

Syston Park Farm in Grantham has offered fruit picking on site since 1984, and the service is more popular than ever.

Paul Clegg, 58, took over the farm from his family and developed the on-site farm shop, which opened in 2005.

He explained that it is still “very much” a family-run farm, with Paul handling the “growing” side of the business, which includes planting the fruit and other crops, while his partner Trish runs the farm shop and cafe.

The farm offers fruit picking during the summer months, pumpkin picking in autumn around Halloween and has also grown and sold Christmas trees since 1992.

Among the fruits that can be picked are strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries.

Paul said: “I reckon so far this has been our biggest year [for strawberry picking].

“I think people just like coming out. It has become more of a day out for the family.

“It used to be about picking fruit for the freezer, now it’s about the experience and picking as a family.

“Days like Mother’s and Father’s Day are really good.”

Paul explained that he is employing a new table top method of growing strawberries, which could extend the season for picking the fruit from July into August, allowing people to visit during the summer holidays.

There are also plenty of flowers grown on site, including sunflowers.

Paul added: “They look really nice. Sunflowers always cheer people up.

He also grows wildflowers in certain sections of the farm, with one area focussed on encouraging bees.

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The farm shop and cafe sell a wide range of fresh produce, with the farm’s chef hosting an evening of food one night each month.