Apple Picking Outside of London
My Outfit
& Other Stories Dress (old, but current season favorites here) | Zara Boots (also seen here and here)| Mango Sunglasses | Bloom & Wild Flowers (£10 off your first order with this link)
Visiting an apple orchard is something that I’ve wanted to do for ages, so when Ghenet posted on Twitter whether anyone would like to join her at a u-pick farm, I immediately said yes (and pulled Supal along too!).
I’ll admit, I’ve googled ‘apple picking near London’ more times than I can count over the last few years, so to finally get out and do it felt wonderful! Growing up in Washington and living in California, I’ve been to plenty of u-pick farms (remember this post from way back when?), but never to an apple orchard!
I feel like a visit to The Hop Shop ticked off so many autumnal boxes. Squash, pumpkins and plenty of locally-baked goods were on offer at their store, but of course, the star of the show was the apple orchard. While not too large (only half a dozen or so long rows of trees), it was still impressive. Sitting upon a hillside with views of fields, cows, and plenty of trees with beautifully changing leaves, it was such a sight for city eyes.
We made a point to arrive right when the farm opened, as we wanted to snap a few photos of the rows of fields. Basking in the beauty, I couldn’t help but run through the rows—it’s such a feeling of freedom to get out of the city and into the fields and farms of the countryside.
I loved that Supal, Ghenet and I also happened to coordinate our outfits, bringing the basket bag trend into fall with us. They of course make handy vessels for toting plenty of apples back to the city!
It was a fairly warm autumn day (and got even warmer once the cloud cover burned off), so I brought out this burgundy dress I bought last year from & Other Stories. I paired it with these boots that I immediately realized were not a practical choice for walking (or running) though the uneven fields. I’d recommend tennis shoes or better yet a pair of wellies!
Apple Picking Near London: The Hop Shop Kent
Just a short jaunt from London is The Hop Shop in Kent. Orchard by autumn and lavender and hop fields in the summer months, this is a charming spot to visit.
We took a train from Victoria station and then a cab from the nearest train station, but there’s plenty of parking too if you’re lucky enough to have a car!
You pay for your apples by weight and there are several delicious varieties to choose from. A fun day out that I’m planning to repeat next year!
Adding to my impracticality streak, I happened to bring along these stunning flowers from Bloom & Wild from their Liberty collaboration. I wanted some pictures of them and as they’re perfectly autumnal, so I decided to bring them along! I’ll admit, it’s a bit strange to bring a bouquet to an orchard, but they do make for a lovely scene along with the apples, don’t they?
The apples are inexpensive (you pay by weight), but of course once you factor in the train ticket and cab ride from the station, not so much! But what you’re paying for here is the experience. A chance to bask in the misty autumn air, experience that small town charm and of course taste an apple as fresh as can be—you did pick it off the tree after all!
I loved it so much that I’ll certainly be back to explore the farm’s lavender fields come the summer months. Anyone want to join?
Until next time,
Brenda
