Autumn… that cooling breeze that makes you reach for a jumper indoors because the heating hasn’t kicked in yet.
Some of you may have been trying to nurture a pot of cherry tomatoes in the garden since spring, checking daily and waiting for those tomatoes to finally turn red. Meanwhile, the more avid gardeners are reaping the rewards of all those hours spent at the allotment, even after that drought of a summer we had.
Either way, it’s getting to that time of year when everything is ready to be picked.
Not everyone has a green thumb. Some of us have a black one, and that’s perfectly fine. There are plenty of places where you can go and “pick your own”, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with letting someone else do the growing.
You could even make a weekend of it. Get the train somewhere, find a local farm or food market, eat something good and enjoy a bit of the countryside while you’re there.
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Why harvest season makes a good weekend away
Because you don’t want to sit at home like a potato all weekend. Nothing wrong with that if you've slaved away all week, but then again, sometimes a change of scenery does you good.
It's actually a pretty fun activity, picking your own fruit and veg, and if you take the kids hopefully they're tire themselves out too. That's got to be a plus.
If picking your own isn’t your thing, there are farmers’ markets, food festivals and plenty of towns where eating your way around the local shops is a perfectly acceptable way to spend a weekend.
And autumn is probably one of the nicest times to do it. It’s cooler, the leaves are changing and you can actually walk around without melting. Just take a coat because, well, this is Britain.
Ludlow, Shropshire
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Ludlow has a bit of a reputation when it comes to food, so naturally it had to make the list.
There are independent shops, bakeries, delis and Ludlow Market, where you’ll find plenty of local produce. You can have a wander around the town, visit Ludlow Castle and stop somewhere for lunch.
Or lunch followed by cake. You’re away for the weekend, so it doesn’t really matter.
Getting there
Ludlow has its own railway station and the town centre is a short walk away, so you can leave the car at home.
Malton, North Yorkshire
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Malton calls itself Yorkshire’s Food Capital, which is quite a claim, but to be fair, there’s plenty of food there to back it up.
You’ve got food markets, bakeries, independent shops, cafés and local producers. It’s also fairly compact, so you can get off the train and explore on foot.
I’d probably skip breakfast, arrive hungry and head straight to the food markets. Not saying you should do the same, of course.
Abergavenny, Wales
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Now, if you enjoy good food, this one has excellent timing.
The Abergavenny Food Festival is on 19 and 20 September, with producers and traders taking over the town for the weekend.
There’s plenty to try while you’re there, and you can pick up some local Welsh produce to take home too. Just remember you’ve got to carry it all back to the station...
And if you want to make more of a weekend of it, you’ve got Bannau Brycheiniog nearby too. Just work out your transport before you go.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
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Bury St Edmunds is probably the less obvious choice on this list, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
There’s a traditional market, independent shops and plenty of places to stop for something to eat.
The historic centre is nice for a wander too, so you don’t need a massive itinerary. Get off the train, have a look around and see where you end up.
And what about pick your own?
If you fancy picking your own, have a look at what’s available before you go. Different things are ready at different times, and the weather can have a big say in it too, so don’t just turn up expecting fields full of strawberries in October.
Check whether you need to book as well, and how you’re getting there from the station. Some farms are easier to reach without a car than others.
We went apple picking at Castle Farm in Kent a couple of years ago and loved it. We got the train to Shoreham (Kent) and walked from the station. If you’re able to do the walk, it’s actually a really nice one.
Image credit: Pam
You wander around the orchard, pick the apples you want and then they’re weighed at the end and you pay by the kilo.
Image credit: Pam
Just keep an eye on how many you’re picking. A few apples here and there soon turn into several kilos, and you’ve still got to carry them back to the station!
Getting there without spending a fortune
If you’re making a weekend of it, check your train fare before you book the rest.
If you’ve got a Railcard, add it to your search and see what difference it makes. It’s also worth checking whether split tickets bring the fare down.
Then you can spend the savings on the important stuff. Eat the apples, drink the cider and enjoy the best part of travelling by train: no one has to drive home.
If you need a Railcard, you can buy a digital one with TrainSplit and keep it in the app ready for your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is harvest season in the UK?
It depends on what you’re looking for, but late summer and autumn are when you’ll find plenty of seasonal produce, food festivals and harvest events. If you’re planning to pick your own, check with the farm before you go because dates can change depending on the crop and the weather.
Where can I go for a food weekend by train?
We’ve picked Ludlow, Malton, Abergavenny and Bury St Edmunds, but there are loads of others. Look for somewhere with a station close to the town centre, especially if you’re planning a weekend without a car.
Can I go fruit or apple picking without a car?
Yes, depending on the farm. We went apple picking at Castle Farm in Kent and walked there from Shoreham (Kent) station. Not every pick-your-own farm is easy to reach by train though, so check the route from the station before you go.
Do I need to book for pick your own?
Sometimes. It depends on the farm, what’s in season and how much is available to pick. Check before you travel rather than just turning up.
Can I use a Railcard for a weekend away?
Yes, as long as your Railcard is valid for the journey and ticket you’re buying. Add it when you search and see what it saves you.
Can split tickets make my journey cheaper?
They can. TrainSplit checks whether splitting your journey into separate tickets could save you money. You don’t necessarily have to change trains either.