Brooksby Farm — Attraction in Peabody

I am not generally someone who complains in reviews, but my experience at this farm was thoroughly unenjoyable because of circumstances which I think are very correctable and I hope this gives feedback to the orchard to consider fixes.

When we arrived at the orchard we were quickly and efficiently shuttled to a parking space. Hereafter efficiency evaporated. We waited in a line to purchase bags. You must purchase your bags ahead of time and then fill them with apples. Only after waiting and purchasing the bags did we find out that there were very few apples to be picked. We walked by row after poorly labeled row of bare trees until in a far corner we competed with other customers to pick what small, blemished apples remained clinging to the highest branches. After we had filled our bag (a rather unpleasant experience where we had to split up to search for apples), we attempted to go to the farm store only to find another line spanning out the door and down the side of the building. Somewhat disheartened we returned to our car to embark on a 30 minute drive out of the 300 yard span of the orchard. No one directed traffic and the jam was unending.

In sum total we felt that once our money had changed hands there was little consideration for whether apples actually existed and whether there was a more efficient way to exit the orchard. Of the 2 hours spent at the orchard probably 70% was waiting in lines. This was far from the idyllic autumn apple picking experience for which we had hoped.

I hope that for future reference the orchard can make sure that there is a reasonable supply of apples before selling you a bag, and that they could have someone handle some traffic direction. Had these things been in place this would have otherwise been a 4...

The farm store sells some of the best apple cider (made from their own apples) that I've ever had, and I'm never one to turn down cider. They also have pies (both freshly baked and frozen) during the holidays for prices that I find to be quite reasonable. When I inquired, I was told that they are made locally (I don't remember the exact location but it was just a few towns away).

They also had Christmas trees available, although I only saw them a few days before Christmas and at that point there were only small trees (3 - 3 1/2 ft.). So, I don't know whether they carry all sizes at the beginning of the season and were simply sold out of the larger trees at this point. However, what they did have were really very nicely shaped with good branch distribution (I think small trees often look too sparce) and I'll definitely check out their trees next year before going to a more commercial place.

The staff here have always been friendly and helpful whenever I have any questions. I may have cider withdrawal after they close for the season (12/29 at 3pm), but I look forward to visiting them when they reopen in May and trying the other fresh fruit they carry throughout the year as well as picking...

It's a lovely farm, there was plenty of parking, farm animals, and a great selection of sundries at the farm store, complete with warm cider donuts. Unfortunately, we never made it to the apple orchards. We arrived around 11am on Sunday morning, and joined a line of about 100-150 people. After about 10 minutes, the line had not moved. One of us walked up to the source to investigate, and there was one person managing the transactions for the apple pickers (where you pay to get your bag to be able to enter the fields). Not wanting to wait for what would surely be an hour or more before going out to pick fruit, we relented and walked up to the farm stand. It was similarly short staffed. There were only a few people at checkout (there are only a few checkout kiosks) so the line encircled the entire store. Whining children, self-important millennials trying to cut families for the cider donuts, and other chaos ensued. It's a nice farm but they just don't have the infrastructure in place to support the large fall crowds interested in participating in the fall...