Your berry questions answered!
When are British berries in season?
The exact timings of each berry season depend on the weather, but as a general guide…
- Strawberries grown under cover are in season from May, but the height of the traditional season is June and July.
- Raspberries are in season from June-September.
- British blueberries are ready in high summer, with some Scottish berries available into autumn.
- Gooseberries are in season from June-August, but the first sometimes appear in May depending on the weather.
- Blackberries start appearing on the hedgerows in August. Find British blackberries in shops from August-October.
Where can I pick berries?
Aha, you need our epic pick-your-own fruit guide, which includes farms and PYO spots in all corners of the UK.
What’s the best way to use up a berry glut?
Good question. Berries can be frozen, or use them up to make jams and conserves. Some of the recipes below, like our raspberry sorbet or summer berry jam are great ways to use up a glut, including those gooey, slightly past their best berries.
Our 16 most brilliant berry recipes
Blueberry and polenta shortcake
Cut into this crisp and golden shortcake (the polenta adds a pleasing crunch) to discover a centre crammed with juicy blueberries.
Find the recipe here
Sourdough summer pudding
Can’t choose between berries? Use the whole gang to make a classic summer pudding. Serve with a big ol’ dollop of thick cream.
Find the recipe here
Burrata with balsamic strawberries
Berries aren’t just for pudding. Try strawberries in this incredible, 5-minute starter with a dash of balsamic vinegar and a ball of creamy, oozy burrata cheese.
Find the recipe here
Nigella Lawson’s chocolate raspberry pavlova
Nigella knows a thing or two about chocolate desserts, and this easy-but-impressive chocolate meringue topped with a sea of raspberries is no exception.
Find the recipe here
Smoky blackberry ketchup
Transform a hedgerow glut into this smoky, complex sauce. Try it with halloumi burgers, pulled pork or grilled chicken.
Find the recipe here
Lemon and strawberry meringue cake
There’s nothing subtle about this gloriously extra strawberry layer cake with its very own strawberry-meringue crown, and that’s just the way we like it.
Find the recipe here
Fresh raspberry lemonade
Cool down on a hot day with a glass of this seriously refreshing homemade lemonade. It’s a great way to use up squishy raspberries.
Find the recipe here
Blueberry gin and tonic cheesecake
This showstopper cheesecake has a shortbread base, creamy white choc and mascarpone middle and a topping of blueberries encased in gin and tonic jelly.
Find the recipe here
Herby gooseberry focaccia
This underrated berry isn’t as high-profile as its red and purple peers, but gooseberry’s tangy flavour makes it the perfect addition to both sweet and savoury bakes, like this herby focaccia laced with garlic, rosemary and olive oil.
Find the recipe here
Peach and blackberry knickerbocker glory
Give this retro dessert an end-of-summer spin by folding in ripe blackberries and homemade peach conserve. If blackberries aren’t ready yet, raspberries work equally well here.
Find the recipe here
Summer berry jam
Combine all those summer berry flavours into pots of jam to get you through the colder months. Porridge, we’re ready for you…
Find the recipe here
Blueberry and soured cream tart
This Scandi dessert features a crisp pastry shell, a rich sour cream filling and plenty of ripe blueberries. You can serve it warm or make-ahead and serve at room temperature to take the stress out of summer entertaining.
Find the recipe here
Summer pudding arctic roll
Cake, ice cream, berries: this dessert has everything. Combine two old-school puds (summer pudding and artic roll) and give them a contemporary spin with a blueberry sponge and a scattering of rose petals.
Find the recipe here
Strawberry gazpacho
Top Spanish chef Jose Pizarro’s gazpacho recipe adds ripe strawberries to the traditional cold tomato soup for a more complex, sweet-savoury flavour.
Find the recipe here
Eton Mess traybake
Take the key elements of Eton Mess (strawberries, meringues and cream) then add cake into the mix for an easy bake that’s perfect for garden parties and other summer bashes.
Find the recipe here
Raspberry sorbet
This three-ingredient easy sorbet recipe is the perfect showcase for raspberries’ sharp but sweet flavour. Look at that gorgeous dark-pink colour!
Find the recipe here
Hungry for even more delicious berry recipes? Check out our bumper summer fruit recipes collection, or more strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry and gooseberry recipes.
