Why the name Hop Pickers?
A Glimpse Into Pigeon House Farm's History
Pigeon House Farm was a lively hub for hop picking from the 1930s to the 1960s. Families from the Black Country traveled by train and horse-drawn cart to spend four weeks harvesting hops—a mix of hard work and joyful holiday spirit. Living in whitewashed barns or tin huts, they created lasting memories, shared stories, and embraced the simplicity of rural life.
Pigeon House Farm has a rich history rooted in the tradition of hop picking. From the 1930s, the farm was a bustling hub during the hop-picking season. Families from the Black Country made their way here, traveling by coal truck to Cradley Heath and catching the train to Leigh Court Station, where horse and cart awaited to carry them to the farm.
For four weeks, the hop-picking season brought a unique blend of hard work and holiday spirit. Families arrived with everything they needed to set up camp—tin trunks, tea chests, saucepans, frying pans, kettles, bowls, buckets, bedclothes, and, quite literally, the kitchen sink! This was often their only getaway, a “working holiday” "Hopping" was filled with laughter, songs, and camaraderie. Starting at the end of August, they soaked up the fresh air and created lasting memories.
We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming back families like the Swinglers and the Tiptons in recent years, who shared fond stories from their time here. These tales span decades, from the 1930s to the 1960s, painting a vivid picture of the vibrant community that gathered at Pigeon House Farm each season.
The accommodations were simple yet full of charm. Barns and cow sheds were whitewashed, and sometimes tin huts were erected. Water came from a pump, and toilets were basic makeshift setups. Despite the simplicity, the hop-picking community found joy and entertainment. Storytelling, singing, and even parties were commonplace, with the Hereford and Worcester Hop Pickers Mission often visiting to spread the word of God.
Each farm had its own unique currency, which could be exchanged for fresh vegetables, groceries, lemonade, and homemade cider. Hop pickers worked their way through the fields, filling “bins”—large sacks supported by a framework of poles. When a bin was full, the tally card was recorded, marking the hard-earned progress. The bines, heavy with hops, grew tall on poles and were supported by strings, painstakingly set up by men on stilts before the season began.
For Worcestershire and Herefordshire, hop picking was a vital industry. These counties were among the most important hop-growing regions until mechanical harvesting methods emerged in the mid-1960s. If you ever visit Worcester, take a moment to admire the beautiful hop-picking friezes on the Hop Market in Sansome Street, a fitting tribute to this bygone era.
It is from this rich heritage that Hop Pickers Barn was born, evolving into the Hop Pickers Rural Retreats you know and love today. Our name is a nod to those hardworking families, their lively gatherings, and the vibrant culture that made hop picking such a cherished tradition.
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