We love a bit of wholesome rural fun here at Muddy. Somehow, despite the juice stains and paying-to-do-manual-labour, picking one’s own fruit / flowers / veg is unassailably charming. As luck would have it, there are plenty of Hampshire PYO farms to head for. So dust off the broad-brimmed straw hats, grab the children and head to the fields.

Durleighmarsh Farm Shop, Petersfield

Muddy’s absolute go-to for pick your own, there’s all kinds to pick and buy at Durleighmarsh. Fruits and vegetables sold in the shop and are on offer seasonally for pick your own. Check if they’re open for PYO strawberries and other soft fruit (weekends only). The plump blueberries are sensational. As they pass, more fruit, veg and flowers will come into season, which runs through to October. Handily, The Tea Barn café is also on the farm with a large garden and the best afternoon tea for miles.

Pickwell Farm, Bursledon, Southampton

You can indeed pick well at this Bursledon farm. This year, strawberries are going fast, so check before you head over. There’s no café but if small hands are helping, they might like a snap with the strawberry horse, Zeeberry, (well, who wouldn’t?).

Bourne Valley Pick Your Own, St. Mary Bourne, Andover

This family-friendly North Hampshire PYO is a great for the kids. Under 12s can go wild in the Fun Park with tunnels, tractor tyres, climbing castle, zip wire and swamp boat. If they’re not totally zonked, there’s also a Secret Woodland Walk (1.5km) and Farm Walk (1.5 km). Find fresh produce in the shop and pick your way through the lovely homegrown strawberries.

Goodall’s Strawbery Farm, Lymington

Locals absolutely love Goodall’s soft fruit PYO. Open now, there are plenty of fresh strawberries and raspberries to gather. Take a look at the local and home grown produce in the former kiosk-turned farm shop too, like fresh bread from local bakery Jennings & Son, Isle of Wight soft cheese and Four Acre Farm’s rare breed pork sausages and burgers.

If you’ve still got time to kill after you’ve plucked your basket load, you can always head next door to the New Forest Adventure Golf (no booking or membership required!) for a round of mini golf, on a smart course that takes in favourite New Forest landmarks.

Steve Harris PYO, Titchfield, Fareham

Strawberries are always bountiful at Steve Harris PYO. One of the county’s oldest pick your owns, it’s on a small family farm just out of Titchfield village. Punnets of ready picked are available now with the PYO poised to open in mid-June.

PYO FLOWERS

Lower Norton Flower Farm, Sutton Scotney

A haven of sustainably grown flowers created by gardener and florist Alison Coleman, this three-acre Hampshire florist and grower near Andover, Whitchurch and Winchester specialises in cottage garden favourites, growing annuals, perennials, roses and shrubs for foliage. This year, the popular farm is opening up for special pick your own sessions, by appointment, with a dedicated field to pick from.

Sam’s Sunflowers at Stoke Fruit Farm, Hayling Island

Since opening its sunflower fields in a couple of years ago, this fab fruit farm on sunny Hayling Island has quickly become a summer must-visit. From Insta-posing and picking the beautiful blooms to running around the maize maze, it’s a proper family outing. This year, the field is poised to open at the end of July.

Word-to-the-wise: Picking and produce can be weather dependent – check Facebook pages for what’s in season and unscheduled changes to opening.