Best places to pick blackberries

Boy stretching out an arm to pick blackberries at Osterley Park and House, London — Picking blackberries at Osterley Park and House, London | © National Trust Images/Rob Stothard

If you're out walking in late summer, look out for ripe blackberries growing in hedgerows and try a bit of foraging. Don't forget to arm young ones with bags, bowls or baskets and it won’t be long until everyone’s lips are dyed purple.

Responsible foraging

Blackberries are delicious treats – for people and wildlife. When you go blackberry picking, only pick in areas of abundance and remember to leave some for birds and animals that might also like to eat them.

Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire  : Most visitors to Brimham Rocks will come for the balancing rock formations, but it’s worth taking a closer look for smaller treasures. If you visit in early September you might catch the tail end of the bilberry season too, and as autumn progresses there'll be plenty of blackberries to gather.Find blackberries at Brimham Rocks
Buckland Abbey, Devon: Take in the views along the waymarked woodland trails and pick blackberries as you go. On the blue route there are excellent picking spots along the paths in the Great North Wood. For a slightly shorter walk, the start of the red route is also a great spot for berries.Pick blackberries at Buckland Abbey
Burton Bradstock, Dorset: Walk along the Jurassic Coast and discover an area rich in wildlife while indulging in some blackberry picking. You'll find the best berries at West Bexington.Go blackberry picking at Burton Bradstock
Croome, Worcestershire: During autumn, the blackberry bushes near the Chinese Bridge at Croome are brimming with shiny black fruit. A walk around the park will help you work up an appetite for eating berries straight from the bush, or you could collect a few to make a fresh autumnal recipe at home.Come to Croome for blackberries
Flatford, Suffolk : On the warm days of late September, the berries in the hedgerows around Flatford inspire the seasonal produce in the tea-room. The team don’t have to go far to find blackberries – there’s often a hedgerow filled with them just outside the door.Find blackberries at Flatford 
Great Coxwell Barn, Oxfordshire: Come and collect some of nature's bountiful harvest hiding in the hedgerows around the 13th-century stone barn. Snack as you pick, or take them home to create seasonal bakes and cakes.Find blackberries at Great Coxwell Barn

Visitor foraging for blackberries at Lytes Cary Manor, Somerset | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Hatfield Forest, Essex: Among the oldest hunting woodlands in Europe, Hatfield Forest is home to towering ancient trees and wildlife. You won't need to look far to find the many blackberries dotted around the forest in autumn.Hunt for blackberries in Hatfield Forest
Killerton, Devon: This waymarked cycle route to Killerton is lined with hedges filled with blackberries in autumn. Bring a bucket or basket and take some home with you to try out in a seasonal recipe.Collect blackberries at Killerton
Norfolk Coast: If you’re out walking along the Norfolk Coast Path, you’re likely to see blackberries growing in the wild. Remember, if you’re out foraging take only what you need, as wildlife will enjoy these autumn delights as much as you.Collect blackberries on the Norfolk Coast
River Wey, Surrey  : If you need an excuse to spend a day by the river, then why not take a walk to hunt for blackberries? There are plenty of bushes along the riverbank, and it's a great way to get one of your five-a-day.Find blackberries near River Wey
Sizergh, Cumbria  : Sizergh's woodlands bear lots of sweet berries. In autumn the hedgerows and surrounding woodlands, like Brigsteer Wood and Low Park Wood, are great places for blackberry and wild raspberry picking. Damsons and apples are also ripening in the orchard in Holeslack Wood.Size up Sizergh's blackberries