For many, autumn just isn’t autumn without a trip to a local farm to harvest pumpkins, snap seasonal photos and enjoy warm food, seasonal drinks and fun activities. So, if you’re in search of inspiration for this year’s pumpkin-picking expedition, see the nation’s favourite spots below.
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Here are the pumpkin hotspots to visit this autumn.
Jump to
- Pumpkin patches in the south West
- Pumpkin patches in the north of England
- Pumpkin patches in Scotland
- Pumpkin patches in the south East
- Pumpkin patches in central England
- Pumpkin Patches in Wales
These are the pumpkin patches to visit this October
Pumpkin patches in the south west
Cotswold Farm Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
It’s official; Cotswold Farm Park is the best place to go if you want to capture the cosiest autumn photos on your annual pumpkin picking trip.
Open day to night with a whole host of fun (and highly Instagrammable) activities, Cotswold Farm Park seems to have it all. Meet rare breed animals, take a tractor ride or carve your pumpkins there and then.
Join one of the farm’s Pumpkin Nights for live music, a glow trail and hot food and drink. Dress up if you dare!
Avon Valley, Bath Road, Keynsham
Avon Valley's pumpkin patch is the go-big-or-go-home variety. It's one of the most popular around and is accessible for people from Bristol and Bath. This pick your own site has been functioning for 35 years and offers not just your usual orange beauty but a host of other interesting gourds and squashes to take home too. Expect performers and fire shows, which are every 30 minutes in the pumpkin market. You can also play pumpkin paintball, seasonal slingshot and fire an apple cannon.
Rogate pumpkin patch, Petersfield
This year is the tenth anniversary of the Rogate pumpkin patch, which features your usual chance to pick up a pumpkin alongside lots of spooky-themed fun for whole families. As with most patches, you buy a ticket and then you pay for your pumpkin according to its size. And don't miss the opportunity to take part in the pumpkin smash event, after Halloween.
Pumpkin patches in the south east England
Tulleys Farm, Crawley, West Sussex
A firm favourite among pumpkin pickers, Tulleys Farm is one to visit. Its team has grown over a million pumpkins spread across 10 acres of land, which you can pick by day or night.
As well as the pumpkin fields, visit Pumpkin Village for some tasty street food, and pop into the Pumpkin Bar for refreshments. The Pumpkin Boutique is the place to find gifts and seasonal treats.
Keep an eye out of the live characters who inhabit the farm, and stay for one of the famous Pumpkin Nights for music and cocktails.
Pumpkin patches in Scotland
Cairnie Fruit Farm, Fife, Scotland
Dubbing themselves the 'original Scottish producer of PYO pumpkins, the Cairnie Fruit Farm pumpkin patch is now 25 years old. Expect pumpkins of all shapes and colours, and a very cheap entry fee, with, as usual, the pumpkin cost on top.
While you're there, don't miss the Halloween Torchlight Maze, which is six acres of paths to navigate with only your torch as light. The maze runs over 29th, 30th and 31st October and torches are optional (and you need to bring your own).
Pumpkin patches in Wales
From the 12 October Pembrokeshire Pumpkins is open every weekend for pumpkin picking, complete with spooky barn, and family friendly fun. For the kids, there's a woodland play area and broomsticks to play with too.
This pumpkin patch encourages dressing up so why not dress to impress the ghoulish ghouls of Halloween.
Pumpkin patches in central England
Priory Farm, Redhill, Surrey
Another pumpkin patch with plenty of seasonal delights on offer, Priory Farm has a kids’ Halloween trail, as well as fun extras like the pumpkin rainbow you can climb. Visit the Village Green for warming food and drinks, or stop off in the cafe, garden centre, gift barn or farm shop.
The tractor trailer rides are a real highlight for any visit. Hitch a lift to the pumpkin field in a rustic covered wagon - perfect for taking in the autumn sights.
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Cammas Hall, Hertfordshire, Essex
Visit Cammas Hall for some seriously impressive structures. This year, it’s created a huge spooky mosaic using 3,000 pumpkins, and stacked 5,000 pumpkins to make its ‘Pumpcano’ - complete with a fiery top.
What’s more, Cammas Hall grows 75 different varieties of pumpkins and squash, as well as a maize maze, which you can explore during the day or after dark. You can also catch ‘Dead Legend’ tribute acts performing in the patch, and come across spooky characters in the ‘Terror Tunnel’.
For more family-friendly fun, try the Halloween puppet show or take part in a workshop to make an autumn wreath or table centrepiece. Stop at the tearoom for sweet treats before you leave.
Pumpkin Picking Village, Chelmsford, Essex
This Pumpkin Picking Village is exactly that; a pop-up village with pumpkin-lined paths and fun fair rides, which all glow in the dark when night falls.
There’s also plenty to do here in the day too, as you can round off your pumpkin picking and photo session with a bite to eat and a browse of the shop. You can also visit farm animals and play pumpkin-themed games.
Bring along your dog to one of the Pawfect Pumpkin Picking sessions, or keep an eye out for the SEN-friendly times for anyone with special educational needs.
Cobbs Farm, Maldon, Essex
If you’re after a pumpkin picking experience with a real family farm feel, you can’t go wrong with this one in Essex. It’s surrounded by beautiful countryside and serves up cakes and hot drinks throughout the day.
You can also find pumpkin carving and autumn wreath-making workshops here.
Unlike many pumpkin patches, there’s no entry fee, so it’s a great budget-friendly option.
Hatters Farm, Bishops Stortford, Essex
Hatters Farm might just have the most diverse selection of attractions of any pumpkin patch we’ve seen. Not only does it offer trailer rides to the pick-your-own area featuring over 75 varieties of pumpkins and squashes; there are also unique extras like a pumpkin cannon and hay bale mountain.
We love the sound of the new Pumpkin Bar, where visitors can grab a drink and toast marshmallows over the open fire pits. Then there’s the food court, selling sweet and savoury meals, including its unusual pumpkin pizza.
You’ll also find the Hatter’s Haunted Mad House and a maize maze, as well as face painting and an indoor play area for children.
Don’t miss the huge installations, including a giant welly boot, if you want to take your Instagram snaps to the next level.
Foxes Farm Produce, Colchester, Essex
This pumpkin patch is another choice with Instagram-friendly photo set-ups, including an old American truck and hay bale sofas. There’s also a picnic area with hot food available alongside the pumpkin picking field, as well as a licensed bar serving mulled cider, beer and other drinks - ideal for warming up on chilly days.
For kids, there are fun installations including a corn maze trail and the Field of Fun, complete with a hay bale mountain and lots of other games.
This patch is also a favourite among famous faces, as it was visited by Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash last year.
Pumpkin patches in the north of England
National Forest Adventure Farm
New for 2024 is the Adventure Farm Pumpkin Village at this pumpkin picking patch in Staffordshire. Expect food, live music, autumn stalls and roaming Halloween 'characters' There's an indoor and outdoor play area for the children and lots of opportunities for some great shot to make memories.
There are several different ticket price options, so if you're just going for the Instagram shots, then head just to the Pumpkin Village.
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