Sandwich Technician
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 You can pick your own fresh fruit from the fields of a family-run farm near Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Just over the border into Warrington, you’ll find the perfect place to pick your own fresh fruit this summer.
We’re talking miles and miles (and miles) of strawberries.
This is Kenyon Hall Farm – a farm in Croft that has been worked by the same family since around 1500, and although it was originally considered a ‘mixed farm’, it has gone from strength to strength over the years, transforming from a traditional agricultural property into one of the UK’s top award-winning farm shops and tourism destinations.
Current owners Tod and Barbara took over the farm in 1978, and the couple, alongside their two sons James and Simon, as well as their partners and dozens of other full-time and seasonal staff, have turned it into a place that families travel from far and wide to visit.
Popular for its ever-expanding pumpkin patch experience in the autumn, its Easter egg hunts in the spring, and its on-site cafe and farm shop, Kenyon Hall Farm is no longer the ‘sleepy’ arable farm that Tod and Barbara once inherited, it’s now a cultural gem in the Croft community that exceeds 500-acres.
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But there’s one stunning ‘season’ at Kenyon Hall Farm that we just have to shout about… and that’s strawberry season.
Or, should we say, pick-your-own fresh fruit season instead, as not only are there miles and miles of strawberry fields to roam free in – which open from the start of summer in June – but as the season goes on, there’s also raspberries, blackcurrants, potatoes, onions, and loads more to choose from too.
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Strawberries have been growing at Kenyon Hall Farm for nearly 50 years now, and used to be its main attraction, often being inundated with locals when it opened for just six-weeks a year – but then, back 2019, they decided to introduce special strawberry growing tunnels, meaning they could extend opening times until the end of August, all while making the experience less weather-dependent.
When 2020 rolled around and the COVID-19 pandemic hit, ticketing was introduced in order to keep everyone safe and help staff manage visitor demand once the fruit fields reopened.
But as this proved to work so well, it’s a system that has remained in place ever since.
This means that, especially for strawberry picking, you need to head online and book your ticket in advance, as staff really don’t want anyone to leave disappointed if they have to turn people away.
And once you’re done frolicking in the fruit fields, you can then head into the cafe afterwards to try some seasonal specials like cream teas with homemade strawberry jam, or french toast with strawberry compote and Biscoff crumb, all washed down with strawberry matchas made with homemade syrup.
Make sure to pop into the farm shop before you leave too and stock up on all the seasonal produce and gifts you could ever need – including homemade strawberry jams, gins, and more.
Read more:
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Strawberry season has now started at Kenyon Hall Farm, and you can book your tickets online for £5.95 – £6.95 per person, with spaces released up to 24–48 hours ahead of time.
Included in your ticket price is a punnet to fill, and anything else you pick is paid for by weight on the way out.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for jobs on the cobbles
Daisy Jackson
Ever fancied a job working on the most famous street on television? Now’s your chance.
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for positions on the iconic cobbles.
They’re on the hunt for Corrie fans who can step into the roles of tour guides and guest services team members, leading members of the public on tours around the set of the nation’s favourite soap.
Successful applicants will be able to bring more than 65 years of TV history to life for all the visitors who flock from around the world to visit the ITV Studio’s production site.
Members of the public have been able to step onto the real filming location used in the long-running soap for more than a decade, popping into iconic locations like the Rovers Return, Roy’s Rolls, and Underworld.
The Coronation Street Experience has recently increased its tour capacity ahead of another busy summer season, and now needs extra hands who know their Platts from their Barlows.
They’re hoping to recruit passionate fans who can turn their love for the soap into a job, with duties including greeting visitors all the way to guiding them around the world-famous set.
Current tour guide Shaun Whitehouse said: “Working on the set is something most fans only dream about.
“Every tour is different. One moment you’re sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories and the next you’re helping guests have their photos taken outside the Rovers.
“Seeing people’s reactions when they step onto the set for the first time is magical – it really never gets old.”
Ashley Bolton-Burrows, General Manager of the Coronation Street Experience, said: “Coronation Street has been part of British life for generations and we welcome fans from all over the world who want to experience the magic of the show up close.
“We’re looking for people with energy, personality and a genuine passion for the show. Whether they’ve watched for decades or grown up with the programme, this is a fantastic opportunity to work somewhere truly unique and help create unforgettable memories for our guests.”
The Coronation Street Experience has become one of Greater Manchester’s most popular visitor attractions, giving fans exclusive access to the largest single TV production site in the world.
Applications are now open. For more information or to apply, head HERE.
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Featured image: The Manc Group
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