One of my favourite childhood memories was strawberry picking. If you know me then you know how much I love fruit so picking my own is like the best thing ever. I would love to grow my own fruit and vegetables one day. So it was a sunny Saturday and we headed off to Cairnie Fruit Farm to pick our own. My only concern before going was how wheelchair accessible strawberry picking was going to be as I had never been as a wheelchair user.
Strawberry picking when I was a little girl was a family day out with my parents, sisters and my Gran. My Gran died when I was quite young so strawberry picking with her is now a memory that I cherish. I often wish she was still here to experience all the amazing things that have happened as well as the day to day things. Although my Gran wasn’t here to experience fruit picking with us recently, it felt comforting to know she was probably looking down and laughing at us getting lost in the corn maize.
I love that my nephew was there and I got to experience it with him at the same age I was when I went strawberry picking with my Gran. I’m all about creating special memories and it amazes me when my six-year-old nephew remembers places we’ve been or things we did three years ago.
Pick Your Own Fruit At Cairnie Fruit Farm
Cairnie Fruit Farm in Cupar is about an hour drive from where we live. It was cool to drive over the Queensferry Crossing for the first time. Allan and I were one of the ones to walk over the bridge before it opened. You can read about that HERE.
We were welcomed by giant strawberries when we arrived. Unfortunately, not real giant strawberries, but how amazing would it be if they were? We had a fun little photoshoot with the giant strawberries before we even got inside the building. With our tickets bought including a free carer ticket, we picked up some empty tubs and were on our way.
Getting Lost In A Mega Corn Maze
First up was the Mega Maze. This was our first time in a cornfield so we weren’t sure if my wheelchair would manage through it. This year the Mega Maze was shaped like a sea turtle to highlight the damaging effect plastic is having on the worlds ocean and the sea life that call it home.
The maze was over six feet tall and the path was quite narrow and rough in certain spots. I didn’t care though. I just went for it and it was so much fun. Some of the paths were just big enough for my wheelchair to fit through. Others were too tight so Allan or my sister had to push the corn stalks back so I could get through. It was all part of the fun.
It felt like we were in a movie when the characters are lost and running through a cornfield. Thankfully, there were no aliens, serial killers or monsters chasing us. There were moments we thought we’d never make it out, but we live to tell the tale.
Strawberry Picking In A Wheelchair
Safely out the maze, it was now time to pick the strawberries. There were rows and rows of strawberry tunnels to choose from so we just picked any one. We had the whole place to ourselves as there was no one else around. It was great.
The strawberries were placed on top of tables so it was easier to pick them and no bending down. Even though I couldn’t physically pick them myself because I can’t lift my arms up, I was at the perfect eye line height to spot the biggest and juicy strawberries. My nephew and I worked as a team picking the best ones. He had so much fun. We all did.
The tunnels were fairly flat and were wide enough for my wheelchair to drive along without any problems. In total, we filled four tubs of the most delicious hand-picked strawberries.
There is also the option to pick our own raspberries, red/blackcurrants, gooseberries, tayberries, cherries, brambles, pumpkins and sunflowers.
Rolling To The Funyard
After we had picked our weight in fresh strawberries, it was time for my nephew to check out all the fun rides and activities in the Funyard. We walked/rolled down a gradual grassy hill towards the kid’s play area.
Some of the activities included a go-cart track, giant straw bale climbing fortress, sunken trampolines, huge sandbox, crazy swings, slides, ride on peddle tractors, loaders and trailers, a massive bouncing pill, flying fox and a Barrel Bug ride.
The Pumpkin Patch opened on the 5th October so perfect in the lead up to Halloween. The Mega Maze is now over 8ft high.
Although we didn’t go in, there is a cafe serving hot and cold food. There is also a farm and gift shop on-site too. The Outdoor Strawberry Kiosk located in the Funyard has a selection of drinks, sweets, ice cream and strawberries.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Wheelchair accessibility in the fruit tunnels, Funyard and Mega Maze were better than I expected it to be. I wouldn’t rate it as completely wheelchair accessible as it was a bit rough and bumpy in areas. I found it manageable in my power wheelchair though.
Some manual wheelchair users may find it more of a struggle unless you have someone with you who could possibly give a little assistance here and there. We saw manual wheelchair users so it is absolutely do-able.
An accessible toilet was located at the main entrance and it was rather disappointing after such an amazing day. It was very small, dirty (toilet paper lying on the floor) and boiling hot. It didn’t have a RADAR lock, so I’m assuming it may get used by people who may not necessarily need the accessible toilet.
Strawberry Picking At Cairnie Fruit Farm
We had a great day at Cairnie Fruit Farm picking strawberries, getting lost in the Mega Maze and watching my nephew play in the Funyard. We will definitely go back again next year and may even check out the pumpkin patch in the lead up to Halloween. Next year we will take a picnic and pick different fruit too.
Have you been strawberry picking? What is wheelchair accessibility like at your local pick your own fruit farm?
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