Lotmead Farm in Wanborough has been hailed as the best Pick Your Own farm in the country.

Lotmead was one of only four nominees shortlisted for the award and the only one based in the south west.  Each year, the Farm Retail Awards judges look for businesses that demonstrate excellent business knowledge and champion the quality fruit and vegetables they have produced themselves.

Lotmead owner Norman Parry received the award at the national gala dinner and awards ceremony. The farm first won the national award in 2015 and was listed as a finalist again in 2018.

He said: "We’re delighted to have won this award once more. We put a considerable amount of additional investment in the children’s play facilities each year, and schedule in more and more experiences as time goes on, so this award suggests we’re doing something right.

“Each year, we try and make the Pick Your Own bigger and better so families can have a great day out and then go home with fruit and vegetables that not only surpasses the quality they get in the supermarkets but is usually better value, too.

“To be voted the nation’s best Pick Your Own is amazing, and a tribute to the fantastic team that works at Lotmead, led by John and Sue.”

The judges said they were impressed and inspired by the business, with well-thought-out plots, well set-out strawberries and raspberries in great condition.

Established in 1983, Lotmead is a popular family-run farm which, thanks to considerable year-on-year investment, has also developed a fruit-themed play area.

As well as offering the Pick Your Own experience from May to December for visitors to gather seasonal fruit and vegetables, Lotmead has enclosures which allow children to get up close to animals including pygmy goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens and guinea pigs. Guests can take the one-kilometre walk along the nature trail, which leads to a small lake and bird hide and sanctuary.

Some land at the farm will be developed to form part of the New Eastern Villages scheme which is planned for the eastern side of Swindon, but the Lotmead Pick Your Own is not affected by this and it will continue to function as an independent attraction.

For more information, visit www.lotmead.co.uk or www.facebook.com/lotmeadfarm