The trend for Pumpkin Picking has made its way across the pond from America, becoming more and more popular in the UK each year.
And no wonder we love it – pumpkin picking is a really wholesome and fun activity to do with children of all ages.
Often set on beautiful farms, there’s usually a great play area and a lovely cafe to keep the whole family entertained all day.
At BabyBreaks we have researched and listed our favourite places for Pumpkin Picking in the UK so you can celebrate Halloween 🎃 properly.
So all you need to do is grab your wellies and wheelbarrow, and off you go!
Top Tips before picking pumpkin at the Farm
- Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and also wellies or suitable sport shoes as pumpkin patches can be muddy, especially on a rainy day
- If you plan your PYO visit quite in advance of Halloween day, try to pick firm pumpkins so they don’t come mushy and soft a few weeks later…and impossible to carve as well
- Usually, farms have adult and child wheelbarrows that you can borrow to collect your pumpkins. So check on their website beforehand. If not, bring a strong big bag like those blue Ikea bags to hold enough pumpkins
- Don’t forget to bring your camera or fully charged smart phone as there will be lots of pictures opportunities to grab during your pumpkin picking session
- A few farms organises pumpkin picking sessions in the evening to make the event more spooky during Halloween season. It also means less crowded and more opportunities to secure your PYO pumpkin slot!
- And finally, book your PYO pumpkin session far in advance. We have already seen some sold out days in a few farms, especially a few days before Halloween
Pumpkin Picking near London
1. Tulleys Pumpkin Farm
This Pick Your Own (PYO) pumpkin farm is located in Crawley and has over 20 acres of pumpkins waiting for your family to choose yours to take home. Children will love this farm and will beg you to stay for sure.
Make sure to pre-book your day where you will choose your pumpkin.
When: The PYO sessions will be open from Saturday 23rd September 2023 until Sunday 29th October 2023
Where: Unit 1 Turners Hill Rd, Crawley RH10 4PE
Price: Day entry starts at £5 per child/adult and Children under 2 go free
2. Willows Activity Farm
This award-winning farm located North of London in St Albans offers a whole host of activities, aside from pumpkin picking. With over 300 farm animals and over 40 activities, this is a great day out, catering to a wide range of ages.
There’s an Indoor Farmyard with animal feeding and petting, soft play, a Peter Rabbit Adventure Playground and much more.
Their Pumpkin themed activities include Pick Your Own and a Carving Cavern with arts and crafts activities. Lastly, there’s a prize for the best carved pumpkin each day, so let your creative flair run wild!
When: This year, the festival runs from 14 October 2023 until 31st October 2023. It is advisable to pre-book your tickets here.
Where: Coursers Rd, St Albans AL4 0PF
Price: Festival entry ticket starts at £19.95 per child/adult (early bird tickets) + £0.5 booking fee and Children under 2 go free
3. Cammas Hall Farm
With over 40 varieties of pumpkin and squash, Cammas Hall Farm makes a great day out for families to pick and choose their own pumpkin to eat or decorate their home ready for Halloween festivities.
Expect to meet friendly Halloween characters with plenty of photos opportunities to take with the family in these beautiful pumpkin patches.
When: PYO sessions start on 30 September 2023 until 29 October 2023. To pre-book your tickets or table, it’s right here.
Where: Cammas Hall Farm Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
Price: Entry tickets start at £4 + £0.5 booking fee + children under 2 go free
4. Foxes Farm
Foxes Farm is predominantly are pumpkins wholesalers which produce thousands of pumpkins every year and work a lot with supermarkets or retailers. However, pumpkin patches are open to the public with limited availability due to the Covid-19 situation.
Make sure you pre-book your PYO session at either Basildon or Colchester farms. There are also some great educational videos for kids to learn how to grow and harvest pumpkins.
When: PYO pumpkin sessions start on the 30th September 2023 and finish on the 291th October 2023. Not every day is open so check their website for pumpkin patch dates
Where: Watch House Farm, Wash Rd, Basildon SS15 4ER
Price: entry tickets start at £5 per adult/child (less if you are a family/group of 4 people)
5. Hewitts Farm
This 78 acres farm has been growing fruits and vegetables through multi generations. You can pick your own pumpkin usually from the beginning of October but make sure to check their website to see any updates on where they are ready. No booking required.
When: From 1st October
Where: Court Rd, Chelsfield, Orpington BR6 9BX
Price: Access to the farm is free
6. Stanhill Farm
Stanhill Farm has been nurturing their pumpkin patch for nearly a decade now. This small family business farm has also a lovely farm shop where you can find local meats, fruits and vegetables, spice blends and even Scotch Eggs.
When: Opens on 7th October 2023 until 27th October 2023
Where: Stanhill Farm, Birchwood Road, Wilmington, Dartford, Kent, DA2 7HD
Price: £3.50 per car
7. Four Winds Farm
This farm is operated by Pierson Agriculture and organises a Pick Your Own pumpkin event every year the last week of October. You would need to book your tickets in advance. Be quick as the event is usually sold out days before the event starts.
You will find some teas and cakes, some facepainting, scarecrow hunt and more activities to be announced for 2023.
When: TBC
Where: Bidborough, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0LL
Price: £1 per vehicle entry for all passengers
Pumpking Picking near Edinburgh
1. Craigie’s Farm
The closest farm to Edinburgh, this feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It’s not just pumpkins here, you can also pick apples & blackberries – perfect ingredients for a crumble!
After picking your fresh produce, the kids can enjoy tractor rides, an outdoor play area and a Nature Detective Trail. They will also be delighted to meet chickens, sheep, ponies and pygmy goats too.
Lastly, don’t miss the fantastic farm shop, featuring the best of Scotland’s Larder from smoked salmon to chutneys, cheeses and bread.
Check out our suggestions of more child-friendly activities in Edinburgh.
When: from 1st October until 31st October 2023
Where: West Craigie Farm, Queensferry EH30 9AR
Price: entry tickets to PYO pumpkin starts at £3 per adult and £1.5 per child
2. Kilduff Farm
If your family is looking for a great pumpkin picking near Edinburgh, Kilduff Farm is a great option to look at. In the past, families have praised how well organised the pumpkin PYO activities were held.
You can expect to pick different sizes and colours for your pumpkins to bring home. There are plenty of other activities to do with your children during the Pumpkin festival too.
Make sure you pre-book your session as some dates are already sold out!
When: Pumpkin Festival starts on 14th October 2023 and closes on 29th October 2023
Where: Kilduff Farm Drem, North Berwick EH39 5BD
Price: £7 per car and its passenger
3. Conifox Adventure Park
Every year, Conifox Adventure Park attracts parents and their children to celebrate Halloween with an opportunity to pick your own pumpkin and bring it home.
Lots of fun activities to do during the festival including Monster Mash Disco, plenty of photo opportunities and getting lost in the Haunted Maze.
You can choose to pick your festival entry tickets by day or by night plus 2 special nights with fireworks (be quick though as few remaining tickets are available)
Last but not least, there will be some face painting workshop and fun rides to experience at the venue organised by Taylor’s of Edinburgh Funfair (extra costs applicable).
When: Conifox Halloween festival kicks off on the 14th October 2023 and closes on 29th October 2023
Where: Kirkliston, Edinburgh EH29 9ER
Price: entry tickets start at £10 per child and £5 per adult
4. Balgone Estate
Did you know that Balgone Estate is proud to have the largest patch in Scotland with over 20 varieties of pumpkin and squash. The estate is a great venue for celebrating Halloween with plenty of fun ghoulish activities to do with your children.
For instance, there is a Haunted Trail with lots of spider web and different spooky animals. You will also meet a witches preparing their favourite potion at the Crooked Cauldron. And finally, you will be able to loose your children in a 2 acres corn maze. What else can you ask for?
When: starts on 14th October 2023 and finishes Sunday 29th October 2023 (make sure to pre-book your time slot to avoid disappointment)
Where: Balgone Barns, North Berwick EH39 5NY
Price: £10 per car and its passengers (early bird tickets)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Pumpkin Picking near Birmingham
1. Lower Drayton Farm
With over 20 acres of land to pick your own pumpkin, Lower Drayton Farm is getting bigger and bigger during Halloween festivities. You will have lots of opportunities to take some pictures with your kids at the patch. Some photo booths will also be available to show off your pumpkin carved creations.
And why not filling the fridge with fresh produce from the farm too such as carrots, potatoes or sweetcorn.
When: the Pumpkin Patch is open from Saturday 30th September 2023 until Tuesday 31st October 2023
Where: The Play Barn Lower Drayton Lane, Stafford ST19 5RE
Price: PYO entry starts at £10 per adult or child. Children under 2 go free.
2. Hatton Adventure World
Hatton Adventure World is already a great place to visit for a day trip. So during Halloween week, it is twice the fun with a specific program that will please different crowds for sure.
Be prepared to walk inside the Haunted House or entertained by magicians with an original illusions’ show.
And yes, you will have the opportunity to bring home your own pumpkin with 1 FREE pumpkin per child.
When: PYO at the Pumpkin patch starts on 14th October 2023 until 31st October 2023
Where: Dark Ln, Hatton, Warwick CV35 8XA
Price: £21.95 per adult or child with full entry access to the adventure park
3. Essington Farm
Here is another family run farm business where you can pick your own vegetables and fruits depending of the seasons. There is a lovely farm shop where you can buy fresh produce, local juices, meats and even honey.
Essington Farm is no stranger to pumpkin picking and they are bringing back the experience this year on the 1st October 2023.
However the last week of October ticketing system will be available closer to the dates.
When: From 1st October until the end of the month
Where: Bognop Road, Essington, Wolverhampton WV11 2AZ
Price: entry fee is £2.50 and pumpkins will be priced between £2 and £12 depending of the size
4. Pumpkins R Us
Every year, Pumpkins R Us are bringing the magic of Halloween involving pumpkins of course. This venue is not a farm but rather a fun place where you can bring your kids and celebrate the spooky end of the month.
Located at Stoneleigh Park, you will find plenty of space inside and outside depending of the weather you will have on the day of your visit. Check their website for ticketing and pre-book your session for a fun family day out involving pumpkin picking.
When: TBC
Where: TBC
Price: TBC
5. Attwell Farm Park
Attwell Farm Park is known for its children’s petting farm with also a huge indoor soft play area. In fact, the venue is proud to have one of the largest soft play room in the region with 3 dedicated zones for different kids ages.
This year, the farm has organised the Halloween festivities around half term holiday which is the last week of October.
Once again, you need to pre-book your ticket entries to guarantee that your family can enter the premises and have lots of fun inside the park.
What can you expect to find during this special event: PYO pumpkin, carving workshop, ghost hunt and even a haunted house.
When: from 7th October 2023 until 5th November 2023
Where: Seafield Ln, Redditch B98 9DB
Price: TBC
Pumpkin Picking near Liverpool
1. The Pumpkin Patch
This pumpkin patch is a true favourite among families and one of the most popular pumpkin picking places near Liverpool. The patch is huge and has good quality pumpkins with different sizes. The parking space is large so no trouble at all to find enough space before hunting for your best pumpkin.
If you fancy bring some fresh sweetcorn, don’t hesitate to PYO too after selecting your pumpkin to take home.
You will also find drinks and food stalls at the venue so perfect to have a break with your children too.
Also, there is no advance ticketing system, so come to the venue as you please any day of October.
When: from 1st October 2023 until 31st October 2023 every day from 9am until 6pm
Where: Orrell Hill Ln, Liverpool L38 5DA
Price: FREE entry
2. Pumpkin Alley
Here is another PYO pumpkin patch that you can’t miss if you live nearby Liverpool. Pumpkin Alley. Expect to find a large patch full of your favourite orange fruit or veg (never quite understood if a pumpkin a fruit or a veg). This year, they have grown little white pumpkins, perfect to make some nice decoration at your house.
No ticketing system will be in place for this season. More info about dates opening on their website.
When: from 1st October 2023 until 31st October 2023
Where: Delf Ln, Ormskirk L39 7JJ
Price: FREE Entry. £5 per pumpkin
3. Church View Farm
Situated in Lydiate, Church View Farm is a small family run business where you can find fresh vegetables and fruits that you can buy direct at the shop. They also source local restaurants, pubs and care homes.
Pumpkin picking will be available this year with over 5,000 pumpkins to choose. The farm will have a van with hot food and drinks too.
When: TBC
Where: Church View Farm Shop, Southport Road, Lydiate, Merseyside L31 4HJ
Price: FREE Entry. First come first served basis.
4. Claremont Farm
Claremont Farm is another great choice if you are looking for pumpkin picking near Liverpool. The farm has great quality fresh produce that has proved to be popular in the summer with strawberries.
You can also stop by the café which serves a good breakfast, hot food, drinks and cakes.
When: from 7th October 2023
Where: Old Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral CH63 4JB
Price: FREE entry
5. Roby Mill Farm Shop
If you plan a visit around Wigan, make sure to stop by Roby Mill Farm to dedicate a fun PYO pumpkin session with your kids.
The farm has large pumpkin patch where you can select your own to bring back home. Otherwise if you feel lazy, you will find some at the shop too.
Check their website to see when PYO will be available this year.
When: TBC
Where: Johnsons Farm, Lafford Ln, Skelmersdale WN8 0QY
Price: TBC
Pumpkin Picking near Manchester
1. Brookheys Farm
If you are looking for a great pumpkin picking day out with the kids near Manchester, you are in luck and can’t go wrong by going to Brookheys Farm.
Brookheys Farm just announced their PYO pumpkin season for 2022. This year, the owners of the farm decided that no entry fees or pre-booking sessions will be required to enter their patch. And pumpkin prices will be exactly the same as last year despite the inflation!
When: Weekends only from 7th October until 15th October 2023 and then every day of the week from 21st October 2023 until 29th October 2023
Where: Brook Heys Farm/Brook Heys Rd, Altrincham WA14 5SY
Price: £3 per adult and £2 per child
2. Dunham Pumpkins
As the name suggests, Dunham Pumpkins is all about the rounded vegetable that proves to be very popular in October. You can PYO pumpkins at your leisure and the venue allows you borrow a wheelbarrow and collect yours to bring home.
And don’t worry, this year season is producing over 28,000 pumpkin plants…so plenty for everyone visiting the patch.
There is a paid parking space but be careful as it can be muddy. As we mentioned before, choose your shoes wisely and wellies are highly recommended.
The booking session facility is open on their website too.
When: From 30th September 2023 until 29th October 2023
Where: Henshall Ln, Dunham Massey, Altrincham WA14 5SN
Price: £6 per car and its passengers
3. Cockfields Farm Park
Visiting Cockfields Farm Park makes it a perfect day out with the children if you are visiting the region of Oldham nearby Manchester. Even better if time fits with the pumpkin picking season.
Your kids will love meeting all the different animals and even feed them. You can find rabbits, meerkats, sheeps and even hedgehogs.
Pumpkins At Cockfields starts on the 9th October 2023 with PYO opportunities and also a cave where you will be able to carve your pumpkin to take back home. Something new for this year is a brand new show called Zelda Zapoffs Scarecrow Scareshow (check the dates on their website for performances)
When: From 9th October until 28th October 2023
Where: Lees Rd, Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 8AR
Price: £10 per adult and £14 per child. Children under 1 pay only £5
4. Lancaster Park & Animal Farm
Here is another animal farm park that is familiar with Halloween and pumpkin picking. Lancaster Park & Animal Farm is a great choice option for families to choose their pumpkins and also benefit from a fun and immersive experience with animals at the farm.
During Halloween themed month of October, you can be able to visit a haunted house, pick and carve your own pumpkin, appreciate to hear a witch telling stories about ghosts and spooky stuff. There is even a fancy dress competition that you can participate in if you wish too.
When: From 7th October 2023 until 29th October 2023
Where: Middleton Road West, Chadderton, Oldham OL1 2TG
Price: £11 per adult and £14 per child. Babies participating in Halloween activities: £6.50
5. Reddish Vale Farm
And finally, if you wish to mix different activities such as animal encounters, outdoor play areas with zip wires and even opportunities to book a ride at the horse riding school (subject to availability and required equipment).
Reddish Vale Farm during the Halloween season is a fun place to be with the family and it involves pumpkin picking at their patch too. You can even prepare your pumpkin at the workshop house and bring it back home.
When: From 7th October 2023 until 29th October 2023
Where: Country Park, Reddish Vale Rd, Stockport SK5 7HE
Price: Entries start at £12 for adults and £16.50 for children
More Picking Pumpkin Farm Destinations
1. Farrington’s Cowtastic Farm Park in Somerset
Now in its sixth year, Farrington’s Farm’s Pumpkin Festival has a staggering 20,000 pumpkins to pick, so you’re sure to find the perfect one! There’s also Pumpkin Carving, Spookey Story Time, a Spookey Movie, and a School of Spooky Stuff where you can make monster costumes and magic potions.
Plus, the amazing Playbarn offers even more fun afterwards, and is especially useful if the weather turns wet. After all that activity, you can warm up next to the cosy log burner in The Udder Room Cafe, refuelling with homemade quiche or soup, a full English Breakfast or a slab of cake.
Make sure to pre-book your visit to the Farm.
When: From 6th October 2023 until 29th October 2023
Where: Main St, Farrington Gurney BS39 6UB
Price: £3 per person +£0.30 booking free. Children under 2 go FREE
2. Cotswold Farm Park in Gloucestershire
The home of farmer Adam Henson (from the BBC’s Countryfile) is a wonderful place to spend the day, receiving rave reviews from parents for its fun activities. Farm tours, tractor rides, bottle feeding lambs and handling ducklings are just a few of the fun activities that lie in store.
During October their Halloween Land has a pumpkin patch for pick your own, a craft area for decorating, and fun activities like Halloween themed face painting.
Are you staying in the Cotswolds for a few days? Check out our family friendly Cotswolds hotels and cottages in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
When: From 6th October 2023 until 31st October 2023
Where: Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5FL
Price: £12.95 per adult, £11.95 per child and £10.95 for toddlers.
Address: Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5FL
3. Birchfield Ice Cream Farm, Yorkshire
Few things promise to get the kids as excited as ice cream, so this is the perfect spot to treat them to a fantastic day out! This picturesque working dairy farm in North Yorkshire is home to a herd of Jersey cows, as well as Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and grazing sheep.
Their Pumpkin Festival has thousands of pumpkins to pick, a carving area and the opportunity to feed your discarded pumpkin bits to the pigs! Of course the ice cream parlour is a must visit afterwards, where you can enjoy sundaes, waffles and wholesome savoury dishes like ham egg and chips.
The farm is open from 10am until 4pm so plenty of time to pick your perfect pumpkin to bring home!
When: From Saturday 23rd September 2023 until 5th November 2023
Where: Oakmount House, Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge, Harrogate. HG3 4JS
Price: FREE entry to the patch and pumpkins cost between £1 and £12 depending of size
CONCLUSION
I hope you have found this guide on where to find the best pumpkin picking farms close to where you live in the UK. I am sorry if I couldn’t cover every destination of the UK but hopefully these places will be enough to choose for the majority of the families.
Halloween season is upon us and I can’t believe we are only a month from now to go and enjoy the fun of visiting pumpkin patches.
Last time we paid a visit to a farm to chose our pumpkins was in 2020 where we spent half term October in Herefordshire and my kids loved the experience. You can even see them wearing a face mask with no one around. Strange times to say the least!
The post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More info: Disclosure.
