Kenyon Hall Farm, a family-run farm in Croft, Warrington, sells out its strawberry picking slots within 30 seconds, with 2,000 tickets for Father's Day disappearing almost instantly. The farm, located just off Winwick Lane, has been welcoming pick-your-own customers for 48 years.
How the farm started
Tod and Barbara Bulmer, now 74 and 75, took over the farm in 1978 and planted the first strawberries that same year. Their sons Simon, 46, and James, 44, now co-own the farm alongside their parents. Initially, the strawberry season lasted just three weeks over summer, with a pop-up shed selling the fruit. In 2011, the family built a farm shop and café, turning the farm into a year-round operation.
James Bulmer told the ECHO: "When they first started it was just for three weeks over the summer and they had a pop up shed where they would sell the strawberries. That’s how it remained until 2011 when they built the farm shop and café and turned the farm into a year round operation."
Modern strawberry growing
Today, the strawberry season lasts three months, from June to August. The farm grows strawberries on tabletops and in polytunnels, allowing control over the ripening process. James explained: "Our strawberry season is now three months long because we grow our strawberries on tabletops and in polytunnels which allows us to control the ripening process and spread the strawberry season throughout June, July and August. Growing them on tabletops is good for the customers too because it means people don't have to be on their hands and knees trying to pick the fruit."
The farm also grows 20 other fruits and vegetables for picking, but strawberries remain the most popular. Advanced booking is required, with tickets released 24-48 hours ahead based on availability.
Ticket system success
The family introduced ticketing during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued the practice. James said: "The tickets sell out like Glastonbury. Father's Day is one of our most popular days of the year and normally within about 30 seconds 2,000 tickets are gone." He added: "It works very well for everyone because customers enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that comes with it and they know that when they buy a ticket they’re guaranteed to have strawberries to pick."
The system also prevents losses from customers eating strawberries without paying, a problem that drove many farms out of business in the 1990s.
Industry challenges
According to British Berry Growers, 47% of growers are not making a profit, and nearly 40% are considering leaving the industry. James attributes the farm's success to decades of experience: "We’ve been working at it a long time. It’s very difficult working in farming because there’s a lot of uncertainty around the weather and whether crops will grow. It’s a difficult industry to work in and it takes a lot of practice to get things right."
He continued: "My mum and dad have been doing it for nearly 50 years so they’ve seen and done it all before and we can overcome obstacles because we have that experience. When new farms set up and try to do pick-your-own strawberries they often find it difficult because there’s a lot of agricultural knowledge needed and a lot of understanding around your customers and expectations so it is very easy to get it wrong."
Farm shop and family bond
The farm shop was crowned the best in the country by Muddy Stilettos in 2025. The family uses their strawberries to make jam and gin, and the café offers a strawberry-themed menu in summer. James said working with family has created a close bond: "We’re a very close unit and we work very well together because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we help each other out through thick and thin."
He added: "I position my office overlooking where our customers come and go from our different areas of the farm. You see people walking out with huge smiles on their face, having had a special day out and made memories that will live with them for years to come. For all the hard work you put in you do genuinely see the satisfaction and pleasure that you give people and there’s not too many jobs where you could say that."
