Pumpkin Patches (England, Scotland and Wales)

October is here and that means one thing… Halloween!

(Ita’s first Halloween!)

I have to admit, I am not the biggest fan of Halloween! However, Ita is very keen to take part in the antics, even though she is terrified of the horror. I have a feeling that she is more keen on the American version of Halloween (the sugary version where you carve pumpkins and dress up as whatever you want) as opposed to the English version (of gore, blood, monsters, zombies and frankly, nightmares).

(Ita, October 2017)

 

Therefore I have done my very best to plan some Halloween things that we can do together, that is also child friendly. Starting with… visiting a pumpkin patch! It’s become our yearly tradition since she was only 5 months old.

I have tried my best to include ones all over England (and Scotland and Wales actually!).

ENGLAND

LONDON

So believe it or not there really is not much worth noting as goes pumpkin patches in London. However, there is plenty just outside – see Hertfordshire, Essex and Surrey.

 

HERTFORDSHIRE

Typically we visit the Pop Up Farm which is in Flamstead (by Harpenden). It is really easy to get to since it’s just off J9 on the M1 and there is lots of free parking.

Cost – FREE (you pay for your pumpkins only)

This year the Pop Up Farm is opening for sale of pumpkins as early as the 5/6 October (then will be closed during the week), and open for the 12/13October. It will then open from 19 Octobercontinuously until 30 October.

https://www.thepopupfarm.co.uk/

(Ita, October 2018)

We also visit Willows Activity Farm in London Colney (Hertfordshire) as not only do they have a pumpkin patch, but they also do child friendly Halloween activities.

Last year there was a tent set up for Halloween crafts which was perfect for Ita. The best thing about Willows is that you can easily spend a whole day here as there is just so much to do.

This year the ‘Pumpkin Festival’ opens slightly later on 19 October and runs through to 3 November. Frankly, I do this this is a better idea so the pumpkins remain fresh for Halloween!

Prices range from £18-22 per adult and children from 2 years + are between £19-23. Under 2’s are free!

https://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/pumpkin-festival/

ESSEX

 

Foxes Farm are running two pumpkin patches this year in Basildon and in Colchester and both are open from 28 September, but on weekends only.

This patch really has considered insta-mums with all the photo ops that they have put on! If you are interested in photos only then I would suggest heading there on the opening weekend and picking up your pumpkins another weekend.

Cost – FREE (you pay for your pumpkins only) however parking is charged at £1 per car and you pay on the way out so remember not to spend everything!

There is also a corn maze here at £3

https://www.foxesfarmproduce.co.uk/pumpkin-patch/

I also love the look of Barleylands who have a Halloween event running from 26 October – 3 November. You can make potions and spells and listen to ghost stories

https://www.barleylands.co.uk/

 

OXFORDSHIRE

Millets Farm in Abingdon has been recommended by a fellow Instagram mummy! Their pumpkin patch is already open and they have a list of Halloween activities throughout the half term!

https://milletsfarmcentre.com/what-s-on/this-year.html

 

SURREY

I cannot get over how many pumpkin patches there are in Surrey!!

Crockford Bridge Farm looks amazing however the dates of their pumpkin picking have not yet been released! You can sign up to be notified however, and I would recommend so if you are local.

There appears to be theatre shows and face painting for the children!

http://www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk/Events/pumpkin-patch

 

Secretts Farm looks equally as fun and they even do tractor rides during their pumpkin season! Secretts are doing a ‘Pumpkin Week’ running from 26 October – 31 October. Details will be released soon… come on Surrey! Don’t you know us mums like to plan??

http://www.secretts.co.uk/pumpkin-week/

Garsons Esher is known as the biggest PYO in England however the website is sparse with details. You can email info@garsons.co.uk for further info on when their pumpkin season begins.

https://www.garsons.co.uk/pyo-farm

 

YORKSHIRE

Having done a little bit of research, it seems like Piglets Adventure Farm is a good place to go to not only pick pumpkins but to also spend the day doing Halloween activities! There will even be skeleton stilt walkers!! The pumpkin/Halloween event will start from 26 October.

www.pigletsadventurefarm.com

 

LINCOLNSHIRE

Doddington Hall seems to go all out for their pumpkin season and encourages children to dress up in spooky costumes to do so!

Cost – FREE! (Just pay for your pumpkins!)

https://www.doddingtonhall.com/event/pyo-pumpkins/

 

KENT

Beluncle Farm will be open from the 12 October, all the way through to Halloween. I couldn’t find details of the costs so I would suggest contacting them via their website prior to visiting.

https://www.pyopumpkins.com/

 

Stanhill Farm have not yet confirmed their dates but keep an eye out on their website.

https://www.stanhillfarm.co.uk/pumpkin-patch

SUFFOLK

Undley Farm will be opening their pumpkin patch and maize maze from the weekend of 5/6 October. It will be closed during the week and opened on weekends only until 19 October. They will also have a pumpkin shaped bouncy castle!

https://undleyfarmevents.co.uk/

 

WARWICKSHIRE

Hatton Country World really reminds me of Willows Farm before it became synonymous with Peter Rabbit. They too will have a pumpkin festival which is due to start around 20 October. However keep an eye on the website for further info!

https://adventure.hattonworld.com/

 

DERBYSHIRE

I have to say, Derbyshire seem to love a pumpkin!

Mr Pumpkin opens from 12/13 October. Not only do they have plenty of pumpkins to choose from but they also have some great photo opportunities! There is also a bouncy castle and face painting as well as a pumpkin trail.

https://www.mrpumpkin.co.uk/

If we lived locally to Derbyshire, we would hands down pay a visit to Bluebells. Their Halloween event seems to thought-out and different to anywhere else I have seen. They have a pumpkin patch too, hence why it is listed on this post! I know it is not related at all, but they are having a Frozen themed afternoon tea in November! Just thought the Derby mums may want to know this!

https://bluebelldairy.co.uk/events/halloween-2019-professor-salamanders-travelling-beasts/

Scaddows Farm have not let on much yet, but they have stated on their website that they will be holding a pumpkin patch and the farm looks beautiful. So keep an eye out if you are local to south Derbyshire.

http://scaddowsfarm.co.uk/

 

WEST SUSSEX

I have heard so much about Tullys Farm and it looks absolutely amazing. Not only will they have a PYO patch but there are other activities going on too – they look very spooky though!

Cost – adults and also toddlers (2-4 years) are from £8.95, children 4 years + are from £14.95. They also have family discounts too.

https://www.tulleysspookfest.co.uk/haunts/pumpkin-patch

 

HAMPSHIRE

Recommended by a fellow mummy although I don’t have much information on this patch. It seems that it will be updated in the next few weeks!

https://pumpkinpickingpatch.com/

 

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Pumpkin Jim  in Icklteon has been recommended too by another Instagram mummy although I could not find a website! It seems that they do have a Facebook page however – https://en-gb.facebook.com/pumpkinjims

It seems like the pick your own pumpkin will be opening soon so keep checking their Facebook page for info!

 

DURHAM

Animal Fun Fam have some Halloween fun booked for over the half term and part of that is pumpkin carving. Although I can’t see anything about a pumpkin patch, I’m thinking they will need to have pumpkins to carve right?

https://www.downatthefarm.co.uk/activities/seasonal-activities/

 

SCOTLAND

EDINBURGH

I have actually seen some mums who I follow on Instagram post about Craigies Farm before and they always have the most beautiful pumpkins! However, their website currently has no info on their pumpkin season! So keep an eye out of you are local to Edinburgh!

https://craigies.co.uk/activities/events/

 

FIFE

I have come across Cairnies Farm and Maze and thought it was absolutely worth sharing!

Their turtle maze over the summer looked crazy so I can assume they are going to make a big effort with their Halloween event?

Their website does not yet have much info on the pumpkin patch other than it will be open from October.

Cost – £6.80 an adult and £7.80 a child.

http://www.cairniefruitfarm.co.uk/pick-your-own/

WALES

PEMBROOKSHIRE

Brooks Grove farm will hold their pumpkin patch throughout October and their photo set ups looks amazing!

Cost – FREE (just pay for your pumpkins)

https://brooksgrove.co.uk/pick-your-own-pumpkins-at-brooksgrove-farm/

 

CARDIFF

Cardiff holds their pumpkin patch from 19-31 October in a little pop-up style!

Cost – FREE (just pay for your pumpkins)

https://pumpkinpickingpatch.com/

 

MID GLAMORGAN

Cantref Adventure Farm seems to have a lot going on for Halloween including a pumpkin patch and maze too!

http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org

I hope this post has been useful and I would love to see your pumpkin patch posts so don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and I will share your photo!

If you have any other pumpkin patch suggestions, please do share them!!

Next week I will be uploading some of our plans for Halloween including decorations, party ideas, crafts and of course, days out!