9 of the UK’s best pumpkin patches to visit this autumn
Picking your own pumpkins has become quite the autumn tradition in the UK. So wrap up in your woolies and wellies and take a trip to one of these patches for some seasonal fun…
Tulleys Farm, Crawley, West Sussex
Explore over 90 acres of pumpkin fields at Tulleys Farm, with a whopping 600,000 pumpkins to choose from, coming in an array of shapes and sizes. While you’re out plodding the land, there’s plenty of photo opportunities with the bright orange pumpkin backdrop and themed displays. After you’ve picked your perfect pumpkin, either for carving or cooking at home, relax in the autumn sun with some tasty food and a beverage.
Alternatively, go at night for a more spooky PYO pumpkin experience and finish with a cocktail at their Halloween bar accompanied by some live music. Booking is required for both day and night picking.
Dates: Various dates in October (see below)
Plenty of pumpkins at Tulleys Farm (Tulleys Farm)
Farmer Copleys, Pontefract, Yorkshire
Having grown 130,000 pumpkins ready for spooky season, award-winning Farmer Copleys is a popular PYO patch in West Yorkshire. There are 27 different varieties to choose from including Cinderella, Baby Bear and Munchkin. Look out for the blue Crown Princes which are tipped as the tastiest. If picking your own pumpkin doesn’t suffice, there are loads of family-friendly activities to get involved with, from tractor rides and bird of prey shows to a fancy-dress competition. Before you go, head to the farm shop or Moo Café for some pumpkin treats. Booking is essential.
Dates: Various dates in October (see below)
Secretts, Milford, Surrey
This pumpkin patch in Surrey has a dedicated Pumpkin Week in October, where you can expect an array of activities, entertainment, plus pumpkin picking of course! Secretts usually grows around 30,000 pumpkins to wander amongst, plus there will be a BBQ and pumpkin-themed menu, including scrumptious pumpkin curry, soup and cake to munch on after your hard work foraging the fields. Brand new for this year is their spiced pumpkin gelato! Visitors must book ahead.
Dates: 22-29 October
Pumpkins at Secretts in Surrey (Marisa Smith)
Lower Ladysden Farm, Goudhurst, Kent
This lovely pumpkin patch is set in the picturesque village of Goudhurst. Soak up the breathtaking Kent countryside while strolling the fields full of 70 different varieties of pumpkins, squashes and decorative gourds in many vibrant colours, shapes and sizes. For an evening of fun, go along to one of their Pumpkin Nights, where you can pick your pumpkin by torchlight under the stars, then tuck into a BBQ feast with a drink from their licenced bars. Bringing a blanket is recommended and booking is essential.
Dates: Various dates throughout October (see below)
Arnprior Farm, Stirling, Scotland
This family-run farm was established in 1936 and is set in the beautiful Scottish countryside. Arnprior was the first farm in Scotland to open a PYO pumpkin patch back in the 2015. Now, they have six acres to roam with more than 15,000 pumpkins, from large Cinderellas to more characterful warty and stripy gourds. Hot treats are served from the food trucks including churros, wood-fired pizzas and artisan Scottish beef burgers, plus lots of activities for little ones, with a kale maze and tractor rides to enjoy. Bonus – they’re dog friendly too!
Dates: Various dates in October (see below)
Tractor with pumpkins (Julie Howden)
Crockford Bridge Farm, Weybridge, Surrey
Renowned for their high-quality pumpkins which are all hand-picked, Crockford Bridge Farm is one of the largest pumpkin growers in Surrey. This pumpkin patch has selected dates for PYO pumpkins at the beginning of October. The rest of the month you can find a pumpkin market and pumpkin festival. The latter is expected to have theatrical entertainment, outdoor pumpkin carving and decorating, photo opportunities with pumpkin displays, plus thousands of pre-harvested pumpkins and squashes to take home. Booking is essential.
Dates: Pumpkin Festival 15-16 & 22-30 October
Crockford Bridge Farm pumpkin market (Crockford Bridge Farm)
Bell’s Pumpkin Patch, Boston, Lincolnshire
Claiming to be one of the UK’s largest pumpkin patches, Bell’s Farm harvests near to one million pumpkins annually, so you’ll be sure to find your perfect pumpkin here. There is a new pick ‘n’ mix patch for novelty pumpkins and gourds, as well Britain’s biggest pumpkin cannon (yes, you read that right). Watch pumpkins get fired into the sky and across the fields, all in aid of charity. Caterers on site provide delicious hot food, and also cocktails and boozy hot chocolates for a warm autumn treat.
Dates: 15-16 & 22-30 October
Kilduff Farm, East Lothian, Scotland
Located in a secluded spot in the heart of East Lothian, Kilduff Farm opened their gates to The Patch back in 2018. Celebrating all things pumpkin, their festival teaches young children about rural life and how food is grown. They’re also passionate about local produce and reducing food waste, with their message to visitors being that a pumpkin isn’t just for Halloween. The farm grows a variety for carving and eating, and are happy to share their knowledge on how to cook up a tasty autumnal feast with this versatile ingredient. Booking is essential.
Dates: 16-31 October
Upside-down scarecrow at Kilduff Farm (Shutterstock)
Undley Farm, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Running for more than two decades, Undley Farm grows 25 varieties of pumpkin and 36 varieties of gourd, ready to pick straight from the vines this October. Browse the fields with your wheelbarrow to find your favourite pumpkins, learn to craft beautiful decorations while watching pumpkin carving experts, then find your way through the Halloween themed maze of maize. Hot meals are available including a hog roast, wood-fired pizzas and pumpkin soup. Sweet treats on offer include pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie and Halloween cupcakes. Admission is free but booking is essential.
Dates: Weekends and half term in October (see below)
