Place UK — what kind of farm, conditions, how to get in (2026)

Verified: 2026-06-21

In short

Large family berry farm in Norfolk (since 1954) with its own International Farm Camp. Currently most seasonal workers are from Central Asia (recruitment through operator HOPS), with workers from Kenya as well. Good living conditions (Tesco "Best Employee Facilities" certificate). No violations found in open sources.

In numbers

up to 630

seasonal workers

per year

Norfolk

region

United Kingdom

strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries

crops

harvest season

June–October (peak — summer)

season

working months

How to get onto the farm Place UK

Confirmed operators

HOPS Labour Solutions confirmed — According to community data (2026): the Seasonal Worker visa for Place UK is arranged by HOPS — currently the main recruitment channel. HOPS recruits from Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan), Kenya, Moldova, etc. You can also apply directly through the IFC camp: applications@placeuk.com

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The operator chooses the farm, not you — but it helps to know where you can end up. Apply through one of the operators — they will allocate you to farms depending on demand.

What the farm looks like Place UK

Photos were taken on the farm itself — not stock. Click a photo to enlarge.

Path between rows of polytunnels at Place UK farm, seasonal workers walking to the site — Road between rows of Place UK tunnels — this is the way to the shift

Long row of Place UK polytunnels under an overcast sky, pots visible on shelves — Rows of Place UK polytunnels; pots on shelves visible through open sides

Worker rolling out a ground membrane in a tunnel under construction at Place UK — Tunnel preparation: laying membrane on the ground to suppress weeds

JCB telehandler and worker lifting a roll of plastic to cover a tunnel at Place UK farm — Tunnels being covered with plastic using machinery — seasonal preparation

Inside twin tunnels at Place UK with table-top shelves for strawberries — Table-top system: berries grow at waist height — easier to pick

Rhubarb crowns on pallets before planting at Place UK farm — Rhubarb: root crowns waiting for planting — another crop at Place UK

Young raspberries in pots at Place UK farm, garden wheelbarrow nearby — Raspberries grown in pots on substrate — seedlings before the season

Rows of flowering cherry trees in a Place UK tunnel in spring — Spring: cherry blossom under plastic — harvested early in the season

Ripe strawberries on shelves in a Place UK tunnel, worker in the background — Peak season: ripe strawberries on table-top — the main picker's job

Rows of raspberries in a Place UK tunnel with side plastic rolled up — Raspberries — another Place UK crop; tunnel sides opened for ventilation

Double rainbow over polytunnel frames at Place UK farm in Norfolk — Norfolk weather: double rainbow over Place UK tunnel frames

Tunnel frames and open field at Place UK farm in Norfolk — Norfolk farm Place UK: tunnel frames, fields and hedgerows

Walkway inside a polytunnel early in the morning: wet black membrane on the ground, strawberry table-top rows on both sides, the join of two tunnels and blue sky above — Around seven in the morning, and the walkway is wet — you need waterproof bootsPhoto: svoi.uk community members, 2023

Grey tray on a trolley holding four plastic punnets: two empty, two full of red strawberries with green stalks; a second tray of berries below — Picked straight into retail packaging: berries go into punnets with the stalk on, punnets into the tray on the trolleyPhoto: svoi.uk community members, 2023

Ripe red and still-green strawberries hang over the edge of a table-top row between large leaves — Ripe and green berries on the same plant — which is why a row is picked over several times a seasonPhoto: svoi.uk community members, 2023

View along a polytunnel walkway: dense strawberry foliage on table-top rows on both sides, a plastic gauge with holes of different diameters in the foreground — A gauge with holes of different sizes — berries are checked against it for gradePhoto: svoi.uk community members, 2023

A table-top row of strawberries covered in red berries; grass has grown through the walkway, a blue crate on the left, the tunnel side open to the sky — Late June, peak season. The tunnel sides are raised for ventilationPhoto: svoi.uk community members, 2023

A hand holding a very large ripe strawberry; rows and a plastic tray blurred in the background — Berries like this turn up at the height of the season. Pick by the stalk — a bruised berry will not make the retail gradePhoto: svoi.uk community members, 2023

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Where it is and how to get aroundDistance to London, nearest station and town

Distances are measured from: Tunstead, Norfolk.

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To London207 km by road, about 2 h 50 min by car

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To London by trainWorstead (WRT), 3.8 km (4 min by car) from the farm → London Liverpool Street, change at Norwich

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Nearest townHoveton, 4.7 km, about 6 min by car · population: 3,089

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Nearest cityNorwich, 25 km, about 25 min by car · population: 143,135

Distances are measured along the road. There is not always a pavement or footpath: many country roads in England have no verge, and walking along them is unsafe.

Station and town names are kept in English — that is how they appear on your ticket and on road signs.

The station nearest the farm is not always the one with London trains; the one listed here is the London one.

National Rail — train times and fares
Traveline — bus times

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Housing and livingLiving conditions, amenities

On-site accommodation in the farm campus (according to worker reviews — a large and well-organised camp, rooms for 2–4 people). On-site canteen, shop, gym and sports facilities. Place UK holds a Tesco "Best Employee Facilities" certificate for living conditions. These are dormitories/campus, not caravans.

Your passport must stay with you. If anyone takes your passport, that is a criminal offence (Modern Slavery Act 2015). Call: Modern Slavery Helpline 08000 121 700 (free, 24/7).

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Pay and piece rateHourly rate, piece rate, net earnings

Not less than the national minimum (National Minimum / National Living Wage); berry picking is partly piece rate. Place UK does not publish the exact rate on its website — check when applying through IFC.

More about pay on the farm: first steps and your rights on the farm.

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Scale and cropsFarm size, what they grow, production volume

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Seasonal workersup to 630

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RegionNorfolk

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What to pickstrawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries

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SeasonJune–October (peak — summer)

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SitesChurch Farm, Tunstead (Norfolk); own International Farm Camp; international seasonal team of up to 630 people; on-site packing and IQF freezing

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Output~1,500 t strawberries per year + raspberries, cherries, blackberries

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Area~342 ha (North Norfolk News data)

Positive signals

Many workers from Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.) — recruitment through HOPS; also workers from Kenya. You will be among your own people
Own International Farm Camp — you can apply directly without waiting for operator allocation
Tesco "Best Employee Facilities" certificate for living conditions; on-site canteen, shop, gym and sports facilities
Different types of work: field, berry picking, packing and factory work (IQF) — higher chance of a long season
No violations found in open sources

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose the farm Place UK?

No — the specific farm is assigned by the Seasonal Worker Scheme operator. You apply through an operator, and they place you on farms based on available spots and your profile. Knowing which operators work with Place UK is useful: apply through them.

How much do they pay on the farm Place UK?

When is the season on Place UK?

Season: June–October (peak — summer). Crops: strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blackberries. Check exact dates and availability with the operator when you apply.

Which operators work with Place UK?

Confirmed operators: HOPS Labour Solutions. Apply through the operator's official website — it is free.