14 of the best pumpkin patches to visit in the UK
Nothing says autumn and Halloween quite like the beautiful colours and shapes of pumpkins and gourds. But where are the best pumpkin patches and farms in the UK for us to gather the goods and enjoy a family day out?
Whether you want to use your pumpkin as a Halloween centrepiece or to make soups and pies, we've compiled a list of all of the best pumpkin patches in the UK to pick your own. Some pumpkin patches require booking beforehand, so make sure you read the guidelines on the farms' websites before visiting.
Picking pumpkins is a great way to get into the seasonal spirit, but what should we be looking out for at a pumpkin farm. To help you pick the perfect one, the planting experts at Primrose have revealed five secrets to spotting the perfect pumpkin on your visit to the patches this autumn...
How to pick the perfect pumpkin
1. Check it's the right shade of orange
"Perfectly ripe pumpkins have consistent colouring throughout their outer shell," Primrose says. "Your pumpkin should be a rich, deep orange colour and patches of different colours may be wounded to the outer shell, causing them to rot quicker."
2. Give it a hard slap
Whether you're using it for cooking or carving, you want to make sure the pumpkin you pick is hollow inside. Not sure how to tell? Primrose explains: "Give your chosen pumpkin a hard smack while at the pumpkin patch. If it sounds hollow, it's ready to be picked and should last between 3-10 days after carving. If your pumpkin isn't ripe enough, harvesting it too early can affect their longevity."
3. Test your pumpkin's skin
"A perfectly ripe pumpkin will have a fairly hard skin when it's ripe. Test your pumpkin by trying to puncture the outer shell with a fingernail. If it doesn't dent or puncture, your vegetable is ready to go."
4. Choose a bruise-free pumpkin
Pumpkins can be easily dropped and trodden on, meaning many will be sat on the ground bruised. When choosing yours, ensure the outer shell is still hard. Pumpkins that have been dropped are usually bruised and have a softer outer shell, usually signifying that the pumpkin could rot sooner.
5. Make sure it sits flat
Primrose explain: "If you're picking a pumpkin to carve, opt for one with a flat base so it can stand upright independently. They're generally easier to carve and are more traditionally shaped."
Now you know what to look for, take a look at the best pumpkin farms to visit in the UK...
1. Piglets Adventure Farm, Kent
Over in Kent, Piglets Adventure Farm has heaps for the whole family to enjoy. Right through the month of October you can carve the bright orange pumpkins, meet furry friends and finish the day with a sourdough pizza. Definitely one to add to your must-visit list this year.
2. Garsons Farm, Surrey
Garsons Farm is one of the UK's largest pick your own pumpkin farms – and visitors can also indulge in seasonal vegetables and flowers. Current crops available are pumpkins, apples, french beans, carrots, onions and cabbage. PYO farm passes are required, which must be booked online in advance. BOOK NOW
3. Secretts at Hurst Farm, Surrey
Located in the beautiful county of Surrey in the UK, Secretts at Hurst Farm are known as top growers of vegetables and salad crops in the county (pumpkins included), as well as serving up biggest and best craft beer collection in the area.
4. Arnprior Farm, Scotland
Arnprior Farm – also home to an eco-friendly and luxury glamping pod campsite – has over 10,000 pumpkins to choose from. You can pick your own while roaming their six-acre pumpkin patch in Stirlingshire. They will have many exciting varieties of pumpkins including huge Cinderella orange pumpkins, fabulous green warty pumpkins, beautiful white pumpkins and even funky stripy ones. Tickets must be booked in advance.
What to do with your pumpkin:
5. National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire
The National Forest Adventure Farm are throwing a Halloween Spook-tacular event this year which features all the fun of the farm plus a day packed with spooky Halloween fun – including broomstick training and a pumpkin wagon tractor ride to the pumpkin patch where children can pick their own for free.
6. Cattows Farm, Leicestershire
Cattows Farm boasts the biggest pumpkin patch in the UK with over 170,000 pumpkins, squashes and ornamental gourds for you to choose from in 2022. Their selection includes many different varieties, such as warty Goosebump pumpkins, white Snowman, Snowball and Ghost pumpkins and the ever popular mini Munchkins.
7. Avon Valley Adventure Park, Bristol
Avon Valley's Pumpkin Patch Festival has returned for weekends and half term in October 2022. Roam through their generous pumpkin patch to pick a pumpkin. But if you don’t want to get muddy, visitors can choose a pumpkin from their tabletop areas inside the event site. Pumpkins are priced depending on size. Dogs welcome.
8. Mr Pumpkin, Derby
For Mr Pumpkin's 2022 pumpkin festival, they are planting around 36,000 pumpkins, and over 20 different varieties – including lots of favourites from the last three years such as the polar whites and the Crown Prince Blue squash. There are plenty of new varieties on offer too including Turks Heads and a giant orange pumpkin, which they've been told can grow up to a huge 50 kilos. They are open on weekends and throughout half term.
9. Farmer Copleys, Yorkshire
This year Farmer Copleys have planted in excess of 130,000 pumpkin plants of every shape size and colour, to ensure visitors find their perfect pumpkin. There will be a rainbow of pumpkins – red, green, white, blue, black, yellow, mixed, warty and of course orange – from over 20 different varieties. Sadly dogs are not permitted on the pumpkin patch.
10. Maxey's Farm Shop, Nottinghamshire
Maxey's Farm shop is open everyday in October where you can PYO pumpkins. They also have activities, food and spooky gifts available at their Halloween shop. Make sure not to miss out...
11. Bell's Pumpkin Patch, Lincolnshire
With around one million pumpkins harvested each year, Bell's Pumpkin Patch is the perfect place to get into the autumn spirit. From 'bounce and climb' activities for children to 'pick your own' patches, it provides fun for all the family. For more information, head over to their website. This year, the pumpkin patch is open from 15th – 30th October 2022.
12. Tulleys Pumpkin Farm, Crawley, West Sussex
Over in Crawley, Tulleys Pumpkin Farm has a total of 60 acres that produce around 450,000 pumpkins each autumn. Whether you want to make your own delicious pumpkin soup or carve a ghoulish gourd, there is a pumpkin here for everyone. Prices start from just £5 (under twos go free), so make sure you book in advance.
BOOK TICKETS
13. Pumpkin Picking Patch, Sompting, West Sussex
Planning on picking up some pumpkins for Halloween? Zip up your winter boots and head down to this bright orange pumpkin patch in Sompting, West Sussex. With no entry fee, simply enter and pick your own delicious produce to take home.
14. Trentham Estate, Staffordshire
For the first time, Trentham Estate in Staffordshire will be launching its very first Enchanted Pumpkin Patch for 2022. Open to the public from Friday 14th – Monday 31st October, the bright orange pumpkins will be nestled amongst the autumnal colours of the award-winning Italian Gardens.
Entry to the Enchanted Pumpkin Patch is £18.50 for adults, £6.00 for children (aged 2-5), £15.00 for children (aged 6-15), £17.00 for seniors (aged 60+) and under 2s go free. For more information, visit trentham.co.uk.
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