Welcome to the Besley's Fruits trade stand.

Besley's strawberries are famous for their sweetness and succulence, and have even graced the Queen's dinner table. 

Cliff Besley co-owner of the family business says attention to detail is the secret to great strawberries.  Cliff grew up on a strawberry farm in Axbridge, and then went on to work on a paper mill.  But strawberries were never far from his mind. 

In 1991 Cliff started growing his own strawberries on a council allotment.  "It was just a hobby to pay for the family holiday" he said.  What Cliff modestly refers to as a 'hobby' won him first place in the prestigious Draycott Strawberry Fair in 1996 and 1997.

In 2000 Cliff and his wife Mandy, sold their family home and with the help of Cliff's brother, Phillip, set up the business on the seven acre Merryfields site.

Cliff uses seven different varieties of strawberries to prolong the season, which he has managed to stretch from early May to late September.

Besley's fruits are great believers in biological pest control.  This is done by predator insects and the army of hens that roam the site in search of vine weevils.

Besley's strawberries are available at Farmers Markets in Bath, Bristol, Taunton and Swindon.  Or you can call in and pick you own at the Merryfields site at Dracott Road, Cheddar - near Cheddar Football Club.  Call 01934 741256 for more information.