Where to find pick-your-own sunflower fields near London

This educational farm-and-shop loves sunflowers so much it has an entire festival dedicated to the blooms each year. Follow the sunflower trail, pick your own blooms and gorge on pizza and local ice cream from the Pit Stop Café. There are also sunflower sommeliers on hand to help you choose and take care of your freshly picked flowers. It also hosts pumpkin picking later in the year to get you in full autumnal mood.

Where? M1 Junction 9, St Albans, AL3 8HT. 

How to get there: The easiest way to get to The Pop-Up Farm is to drive. It takes around 59 minutes. 

How to book: Contact in advance to find out which flowers are in bloom. Prices and entry points will be confirmed once the site has a firm opening date. Check www.thepopupfarm.co.uk. 

Pick as many bunches of gorgeous sunflowers as your arms can carry at this Kent farm, which also grows everything from strawberries and sweetcorn to pumpkins and Christmas trees. Once you’re satisfied with your haul, sit down for a breather in the onsite tea room.

Where? Broomfield Fruit Farm, Ifield Rd, Meopham, DA13 0QH.

How to get there: By car will take a just over an hour. You can also get a direct train to Meopham, which takes around 30-45 minutes. From the station catch the 308 bus, which gets you to the farm in 12 minutes. 

How to book: Contact in advance (on this page) to find out exactly what is available to pick and how much it’ll cost you.

As the fruit season winds down on this family-run pick-your-own farm, turn your attention to its fields of sunny blooms instead. There are three sunflower fields dotted across its whopping 155 acres and the sunflowers are priced at £1.29 a head. If you're looking for a little more variety in your plants, take a look at the PYO dahlia and gladioli fields too. Sunflowers are typically ready to pick here from July. 

Where? Winterdown Rd, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8LS. Esher rail then 458 bus. 

How to get there: To get there via public first take the train from Waterloo to Walton-on-Thames then hop on a bus to Princess Alice Hospice. The farm is a 15-minute walk from there. If you take the car, it’ll take roughly an hour. 

How to book: You’ve got to book a farm ticket online before turning up at Garsons. They’re £2.50 each and you’ll be charged separately for your blooms. Book here. 

This family-owned farm is just 17 miles outside of London. Feeling adventurous? Take a spin around its Maize Maze between flower picking – the course is carved into impressive-looking shapes each season to elevate the fun. Sunflowers will be ready to pick from August. 

Where? Birchwood Road, Wilmington, Dartford, DA2 7HD.

How to get there: Hope on the train to Dartford, then get the 429 bus.

How to book: There’s no need to book in advance for this one. Just keep an eye on opening times at www.stanhillfarm.co.uk.

Hitchin Lavender isn’t just about the purple stuff – there are yellow delights hidden among the scented crops too. Pick up a paper bag and a pair of scissors at the entrance and start snipping those stems. Flowering season is usually in August but that depends a lot on the weather – keep an eye on the farm’s  website to find out when they’ll be in full bloom.

Where? Cadwell Farm, Arlesey Rd, Ickleford, Hitchin, SG5 3UA.

How to get there: You can get the train from London Kings Cross or St Pancras to Hitchin station then get to the farm itself via a short taxi ride. If you’re driving yourself, it’ll take just under 90 minutes. 

How to book: If you book online, entry is £8.50 on weekdays and £10 on weekends. Tickets bought at the gate will cost a little more.

The Patch is one of the largest PYO flower farms in the country. And, of course, its fields include sunflowers – 30 different varieties in fact. Besides the classic bright yellow variety, you’ll find green, red and orange sunflowers here too. When you’re done, there’s all sorts of other summer goings-on at the farm, from duck races to mini-golf to a musical maze. The sunflowers are normally £2 per stem or seven for £10. 

Where? Mount Mill Farm, Stratford Road, Northants MK19 6DG

How to get there: The Patch is 90 minutes from London by car. You can also get a train to Milton Keynes and book a taxi from there. 

How to book: Keep an eye for summer bookings going live on The Patch website.