Lathcoats Farm Shop & PYO

Lathcoats Farm & Farm Shop are situated in Galleywood, just over two miles south of Chelmsford Town centre and 6 ½ miles north of Billericay.

The fruit farm has been owned and run by the Taylor family for nearly a century, who are now into their third generation of fruit farmers.  Renowned for the extensive and excellent choice of over 40 apple varieties, the farm also produces soft fruits ready for ripe summer picking. 

On site, the large farm shop stocks an extensive array of fresh, locally produced, seasonal food and drink, from the everyday essentials to luxury and gourmet items; traditionally produced, reared or prepared by the regions small independent businesses, where quality and taste is paramount.   

You can pop in and select from freshly baked bread and rolls, free range eggs, excellent locally farmed meat, fruit and vegetables, freshly cooked pies and pastries, smoked and fresh fish, the farms own freshly pressed apple juices, and a whole host of dried, frozen and preserved produce.  You can also buy stationary, cards, books, games and gifts – this is a real one-stop shop.

At the back of the shop the varied and attractive range of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and marinated olives will draw you in.  Here you can also try before you buy from the selection of the farms apple varieties laid out; from everyday favourites like Gala, Cox’s Orange Pippin dessert apples and Bramley cooking apples, to the less commonplace sweet, aromatic and slightly acidic D’Arcy Spice dessert apple of Essex origin that eats well on its own or makes a great tarte tatin, and the Egremont Russet, a classic English russet apple from the Victorian era that is the perfect partner for a wedge of cheese.

In the summer months of June to August you can ‘pick your own’ fresh soft fruits on the farm, from strawberries and raspberries, to blackcurrants and redcurrants, to plums and cherries.  Not only a great way to ensure that you have the finest freshest fruit, but a pleasant day out for all of the family.  The children will also love a visit to the farms menagerie of animals, not forgetting the toy tractors that they can play on.

If you would love an apple tree, although do not have enough room to grow your own, Lathcoats Farm provide a ‘rent a tree’ service, where you can rent a tree for a whole season and pick your own bounty of fruit at the end of the seasons harvesting time…  This could make for an interesting and unusual gift me thinks.

Our Summary
A third generation fruit farm renowned for their extensive choice of over 40 apple varieties and summer soft fruits.  The large farm shop on site stocks the best of locally sourced produce from everyday essentials to luxury and gourmet items.  This is a real one stop shop that offers a vast array of fresh, chilled, dried, frozen and preserved produce as well as cards, gifts, books and toys.  Pick your own soft fruits in the summer and enjoy a refreshing ice-cream whilst your children pet the menagerie of friendly farm animals, or you can even rent an apple tree for your own fine crop.