Lotmead officially the pick of nation's pick-your-owns

The prestigious national title of best pick-your-own has gone to Lotmead Farm in Wanborough.

Lotmead took the honour during the Farm Retail Awards, and was one of only four pick-your-owns shortlisted as well as being the only one in the region.

The Farm Retail awards, sponsored by Digitickets and run by the Farm Retail Association, celebrate the best in the farm retail industry and are the only ones to be judged by fellow farm retailers.

Each year the judges look for businesses which not only demonstrate excellent business acumen but also champion the quality fruit and vegetables that they have produced.

Lotmead owner Norman Parry was presented with the award at the national gala dinner and awards ceremony in Newcastle upon Tyne. 

He said: “We’re delighted to have won this award once more. We put a considerable amount of additional investment in the children’s play facilities each year, and schedule in more and more experiences as time goes on, so this award suggests we’re doing something right!

“Each year we try and make the Pick Your Own bigger and better so families can have a great day out and then go home with fruit and vegetables that not only surpasses the quality they get in the supermarkets but is usually better value, too."

Lotmead first won the national award in 2015, and was listed as a finalist again in 2018.

The judges said they were impressed and inspired by the business, with well thought out plots, strawberries well set out and raspberries in great condition.

Lotmead is managed by John and Sue Meaden, and Mr Parry said: "To be voted the nation’s best pick-your-own is amazing, and a tribute to the fantastic team that works at Lotmead, led by John and Sue.”

Established in 1983, the farm has developed a fruit-themed play area with structures which provide physical challenges for pre-teenage children, with walkways, platforms and climbing frames.

As well as offering the pick-your-own experience for visitors to gather seasonal fruit and vegetables, Lotmead has enclosures that allow children to get up close to a selection of animals, including pygmy goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens and guinea pigs. 

Visitors can take the 1km walk along the nature trail, which leads to a small lake and bird hide and sanctuary. There is a farm shop and café.

In recent years, the Lotmead experience has been extended, so it runs from May until December. As well as offering soft fruit and vegetable picking throughout the summer, Lotmead also offers a popular pumpkin picking experience in the period leading up to Hallowe’en. Visitors can also choose Christmas trees in December.

Some land at Lotmead Farm will be developed to form part of the New Eastern Villages scheme planned for the eastern side of the borough of Swindon, but the Lotmead pick-your-own is not affected by this and it will continue to function as an independent attraction.

Further information can be found at  www.lotmead.co.uk  and at www.facebook.com/lotmeadfarm