Merseyside is a compact, mainly urban county, but it still has working farms selling their own food on the Wirral, in Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens. This guide covers five: Claremont Farm at Bebington, Church View at Lydiate, Acorn Farm at Kirkby, Forster’s at Moss Bank and Red Bank at Newton-le-Willows.
You do not need to live on a farm to eat closer to one. A single stop you can return to, a short shopping list and a cool bag are a good start, and most of these places will tell you what came from their own land if you ask.
Which farm shop or picking farm should you choose?
On the Wirral, Claremont Farm is the obvious choice, with pick-your-own in season and a shop open every day. North of Liverpool, Church View at Lydiate grows its own vegetables and fruit. Acorn Farm at Kirkby is a family day out with its own free-range meat in the shop.
For meat from the farm itself, Forster’s at Moss Bank sells its own organic beef and lamb and Red Bank at Newton-le-Willows its own beef and pork. Both close early in the week, so check their days before you go.
Check the farm’s current crops, opening times and prices before travelling. Picking seasons vary, and a farm shop may sell produce without offering pick-your-own visits.
- Claremont Farm , Homegrown asparagus, strawberries and pumpkins on the Wirral
- Church View Farm Shop , Own-grown potatoes, vegetables and fruit at Lydiate
- Acorn Farm , Free-range meat and eggs at an urban farm in Kirkby
- Forster's Farm Shop , Organic beef and lamb from five generations at Moss Bank
- Red Bank Farm Shop & Butchery , Home-reared beef and pork at Newton-le-Willows
Claremont Farm
Map and location
Claremont Farm, Old Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral CH63 4JB. View Claremont Farm on the map.
Contact: 07867 015246.
Famous for asparagus and strawberries
Claremont Farm, run by the Pimbley family according to Visit Wirral, describes itself as famous for its homegrown asparagus and strawberries. It offers pick-your-own strawberries in summer and pumpkins in autumn.
The farm shop carries fruit and vegetables from the farm and the region, a Whieldons butchery counter, local bread and Bates Dairy milk, and there is a café on site.
Visiting and buying
The farm shop and café open daily, 9am to 5pm; the last hot food is served at 3pm. Pumpkin picking is open daily from 10am to 5pm until the pumpkins are gone.
For pumpkins there is no booking and no entry fee: you pay by weight at £1 per kg (minis £1), by cash or card. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Claremont Farm: website and opening hours.
Church View Farm Shop
Map and location
Church View Farm, Southport Road, Lydiate L31 4HJ. View Church View Farm Shop on the map.
Contact: 0151 520 2673.
Picked and on the shelves within 24 hours
Church View is a small family-run farm and shop opposite St Thomas Church in Lydiate, Sefton. It grows its own potatoes, vegetables and fruit, which reach the shelves within 24 hours of picking, and sells local bread, free-range eggs and jams.
It also sells bedding plants, Christmas trees and wreaths, and grows more than 5,000 pumpkins each October. Pumpkin picking opened on Saturday 3 October 2026 and runs until they run out.
Visiting and buying
The shop opens Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4.30pm.
Pumpkin picking needs no booking, with free entry and parking. Pumpkins can be paid for by cash or card, but food vendors take cash only. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Church View Farm Shop: website and opening hours.
Acorn Farm
Map and location
Acorn Farm, Depot Road, Kirkby, Knowsley L33 3AR. View Acorn Farm on the map.
Contact: 0151 548 1524.
An urban farm since 1985
Acorn Farm in Kirkby began in 1985 with a rabbit called Sid. It now keeps donkeys, alpacas, cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats and meerkats.
Its farm shop sells home-produced free-range meat, eggs and dairy milk ice cream.
Visiting and buying
The farm opens 10am to 4pm, seven days a week; café hours vary. No booking is needed, and admission is £4 for adults and £3 for children aged 1 to 16. Groups of 15 or more must pre-book.
No dogs are allowed except guide dogs, and waterproofs are a good idea.
Acorn Farm: website and opening hours.
Forster's Farm Shop
Map and location
Shoots Delph Farm, Moss Bank, St Helens WA11 7NU. View Forster's Farm Shop on the map.
Contact: 01744 808 870.
A family farm since 1891
The Forster family have lived at Shoots Delph Farm for five generations, since 1891. The shop sells the family’s own organic beef and lamb.
A second Forster’s branch at Haigh Woodland Park near Wigan opens daily, but the farm-gate shop is the one at Moss Bank.
Visiting and buying
The Moss Bank shop opens Wednesday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. It is closed Sunday to Tuesday.
With short opening days, it is worth planning a Friday or Saturday visit and phoning ahead for larger orders.
Forster's Farm Shop: website and opening hours.
Red Bank Farm Shop & Butchery
Map and location
Red Bank Farm Shop, Winwick Road, Newton-le-Willows WA12 8DU. View Red Bank Farm Shop & Butchery on the map.
Contact: 07398 123750.
Cattle and pigs reared on the farm
Red Bank is a family-run farm that rears its own cattle and pigs, growing everything they need from barley to grass. Beef breeds include Hereford, Limousin and Angus, and the beef is dry-aged for 28 days. Chicken and lamb are bought in.
The farm shop and butchery sell the farm’s own beef and pork alongside other meats.
Visiting and buying
The shop opens Wednesday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 3pm.
You can order online for collection in store, or for next-day delivery nationwide if you order before noon.
Red Bank Farm Shop & Butchery: website and opening hours.
Knowing a farm shop you can return to is also one of the most practical ways to be ready for disruption. Read The Be Ready Campaign: A UK Guide to Stocking Your Home With Healthy, Local Food, and use the Be Ready Map to find more local food across the UK.
Plan your farm visit, produce, quantities and picking dates
Choose one or two farms or farm shops that fit your route. Write down what you want, how much you need and what you will do with it when you get home. If one crop is unavailable, decide whether to choose a different farm, change the meal or return another day.
- Confirm the crop, public opening and any booking requirement.
- Ask whether you can pick yourself or buy already picked.
- Check the price unit, payment method and containers.
- Ask about access, parking and the correct visitor entrance.
Farm shop and fruit-picking questions
Where can I buy local food in Merseyside?
Try Claremont Farm on the Wirral, Church View at Lydiate, Acorn Farm at Kirkby, Forster’s at Moss Bank and Red Bank at Newton-le-Willows.
Can I pick my own fruit in Merseyside?
Claremont Farm offers pick-your-own strawberries in summer and pumpkins in autumn, and Church View runs pumpkin picking each October.
Which farm shops open on Sundays?
Claremont, Church View, Acorn Farm and Red Bank list Sunday opening. Forster’s at Moss Bank is closed on Sundays.
Sources
- Claremont Farm
- Church View Farm Shop
- Acorn Farm
- Forster's Farm Shop
- Red Bank Farm Shop & Butchery
- Claremont Farm, Visit Wirral
- Church View pumpkin picking
- Red Bank: about us
Research reviewed 27 October 2026. Farm and visitor sources support the descriptions above. No firsthand visit, current stock check or certification is claimed.