daymens hill farm
Pick your own fruit in essex fruit picking
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Daymens Hill Farm was acquired back in the early '70s by Joan & Norman McCready.
It is run today by their daughter Mary, her husband Ralph & their daughter Rachel, who have lived at the farm for over 40 years.
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This traditional English orchard is one of a very few left in Essex, The family take great pleasure in caring for the abundant wildlife that thrives in the habitat they have created whilst still managing to grow delicious fruit.
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THE FAMILY
THE FARM
Set in the heart of the Essex countryside just 20 minutes north of Chelmsford, Daymens Hill Farm is home to around 4000 apple & pear trees.
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The orchard is part of J McCready & Son which also produces malting barley, sugar beet, potatoes & other vegetables at their farm in Heybridge, where you will also find the farm shop, Jacobs Farm which is run by family members.
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The orchard is spread over 24 acres and over 30 varieties of apples & pears, with many of the trees around 70 years old.
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Working within a traditional environment surrounded by nature, they produce top quality fruit for a wide range of markets.
Pick Your Own Apples & Pears
Our orchards are open daily from early September until mid October, for you to enjoy picking your own fruit.
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During this time ready picked apples & pears, our juices and our own vegetables, sweet corn, & potatoes will also be available.
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Pop up & Farm Shop
Following on from the PYO season, we are open at weekends through til March for our fruit, juice & seasonal vegetables.
These products are also available from Jacobs Farm shop along with a vast array of home grown & locally sourced fruit & vegetables.
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For more information be sure to like & follow us on social media.
THE FRUIT
Cox's Orange Pippin
Quintessential English eating apple
Excellent flavour
Tydeman's Early Worcester
Early dessert apple
Best eaten fresh off the tree
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James Grieve
Dual purpose apple
Great for eating or cooking
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Quince
Aromatic relation of the pear
Lots of culinary uses from sweet to savoury
Great Accompaniment with roasted meats
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D'Arcy Spice
Old Essex Russet
Balanced aromatic flavour
Superb with Cheese
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Discovery
First apple of the season
Best eaten fresh off the tree
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Beurré Hardy
Melt in your mouth mid season pear
Howgate Wonder
Excellent large cooking apple
Great for tarts, bakes & pies
No sugar needed!
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Here's a few of our favourites from the farm...
The Juices
Our juice only contains quality handpicked fruit from our orchards.
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We press more than 10 single varieties, ensuring that you'll enjoy & appreciate the individual characteristics of each one.
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You may prefer the unique full flavour of our D'Arcy Spice or the sharp bite of the Grenadier or Bramley.
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Daymens Hill Farm juice is available from the farm all year round, please get in touch via social media to book a visit.
GALLERY
“Daymens Hill is my idea of what heaven would be like, quaint, idyllic & a hidden gem we accidently found, hands down the best apples i've ever had!”
Ben Devlin
Witham, Essex
“Pick here every year ,so well laid out and easy to pick ,the most delicious apples in Essex ,it’s worth a trip out ,people are very friendly and helpful ,can’t wait to go and pick again .”
Gay Bourne
Google Review
“A wonderful working orchard where you can buy apples, pears, quinces and medlars that smell and taste a million times better than any shop bought.”
Jonathan Wilson
Google Review
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“PYO amazing apples like you've never tasted.”
Nicola Marshall
Google Review
“I've been going every year since 2009. We travel from Luton.
Beautiful scenic location with good old-fashioned family service”
Leslie Butler
Google Review
“Some of the tastiest and best apples I’ve ever had. Pick your own is great fun with your kids and a nice way to spend some time outdoors. Really good location with gorgeous views across to the river Blackwater. The staff were super helpful and friendly.”
Chris Chapman
Facebook Review