The best pumpkin patches in the UK 2022

Once you've picked and carved your pumpkin, put the leftovers to good use with our collection of sweet and savoury pumpkin recipes and top 10 ways to use up pumpkin leftovers. Want some carving inspiration? Check out our easy pumpkin carving ideas and find all the right equipment for the job with our review of pumpkin carving kits and tools.

Top 40 pumpkin patches in the UK

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

England

North West

Kenyon Hall, Cheshire

• A family-run farm shop, café, pick-your-own experience, plant centre and play area near Warrington.
• Pumpkin picking season runs 1-31 October this year. They strongly advise pre-booking your visit, which can be done via the website.
• Tickets at £2.50 per person for adults and children; infants under 18 months go free.

Church Farm Organics, Wirral, Merseyside

• A farm based in the Wirral with beautiful views over the River Dee. They offer a range of family events, school visits and farm parties.
• Their Family Fright Night runs 1-31 October this year, encompassing a PYO pumpkin patch, barrel train rides, scarecrow trail and plenty more.
• Tickets are available at the start of September. Full day tickets start from £6, half day tickets are from £5, under twos go free. Pre-booking is advised via the website, as some days get full booked.

North East

Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire

• A family-run farm and award-winning visitor attraction in Barnsley, sourcing produce from traditional small producers.
• Their Pumpkin Picking festival runs during the autumn half term, October 15-31. As well as pumpkin picking and decorating activities, you can visit farm animals including goat kids and alpacas as well as reptiles. There is also programme of farm talks and races, plus tickets include access to a soft play centre.
• Tickets at £13.95 per person, plus booking fee per person via website. The pumpkin patch closes at 5pm each day.

Stockeld Park, North Yorkshire

• A Grade-I listed country house and estate situated between the towns of Wetherby and Harrogate, offering a range of seasonal family events.
• The Halloween Adventure festival runs during autumn half term, October 22-30. Every paying child will get to pick a free pumpkin at Stockeld Park Pumpkin Meadow, as well as access to an enchanted forest, magical maze, Spider's Lair playground and skeleton trail.
• Tickets at £16 for adults and children, under twos go free.

West Midlands

National Forest Adventure Farm, Staffordshire

• A large adventure play park in Tatenhill with sports areas, go-karts and the UK's first escape maze.
• Their Halloween Spook-tacular runs from 15-31 October, featuring pumpkin picking and carving, broomstick training, Scare School, the Tragic Magic Show and plenty more.
• Tickets for all-day play (9.30am-5.30pm) at £15.99 for adults and children, £12.99 for senior citizens and the disabled, adult carers and under twos go free.

Canalside Farm, Staffordshire

• A family-run pick-your-own fruit and pumpkin farm, shop and café located in a scenic conservation area just a few miles outside the county town of Stafford. They serve homegrown produce and an extensive range of high-quality food and drink from award-winning local suppliers.
• The Pick Your Own Pumpkin experience runs between 7-30 October. A range of pumpkins in various colours will be available, in addition to family games, a UV maze, spooky tractor and halloween face painter.
• Pre-booked tickets via the website are essential. Tickets at £3 for adults and children, under 3s go free.

East Midlands

Bell's Pumpkin Patch, Lincolnshire

• One of the UK's biggest pumpkin patches with more than one million pumpkins harvested each year, as well as being home to Britain's biggest pumpkin cannon!
• Their Pumpkin Patch is open 15-16 and 22-30 October and additional family entertainment and photo opportunities are on offer.
• Tickets start at £6 for a singular ticket, £12 for a group of two , a group of three is £18 and £23 for a family of four and so on. Under 2s go free. Tickets are available on the website as just described. Additional charges for having a go at the pumpkin cannon, pumpkin carving, tractor rides, funfair tokens and food and drink.

Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

• Family-owned and run Elizabethan hall with gorgeous walled gardens, award-winning farm shop, café and restaurant. Seasonal events include pumpkin picking and Christmas tree decorating.
• Pick Your Own Pumpkins is open 1-31 October daily from 10am until 4pm.
• Free entry, pay for what you pick (cash only). Prices start at £2 per pumpkin, dependent on size.

Maxeys Farm Shop, Nottinghamshire

• P..P..Pick Up a Pumpkin event running 8-31 October, from 9am until 5pm, including pumpkin picking, spooky activities, gifts and food.
• 8-16 October: Tickets at £2, under 16s go free,
• 17-31 October: Tickets at £3, under 16s go free
• There's no need to pre-book, just simply turn up and pay for admission.
• Mini squashes start from 50p, pumpkins start from £2.

Mr Pumpkin, Derbyshire

• A fourth-generation arable farm, located in Morley, with more than 90,000 pumpkins in 40 different varieties to choose from.
• Pumpkin picking is open on select weekend days in October, then for all of the half term until 31st October. It is open 10am -4pm during the week and 9am-5pm on weekends.
• Tickets at £2 for adults, Under 16s go free.

South East

Tulleys Farm, West Sussex

• A farm orientated towards seasonal family experiences. They host Shocktober Fest and are home to Halloween attraction Scream Park.
• PYO Pumpkins is open until the end of October.
• Ticket prices vary from £4-£7 for adults and children 14+ depending on the date picked, under twos go free.

Hatter's Farm, Essex

• Family-friendly farm specialising in selling top-quality pumpkins right from the field.
• The Pick Your Own Pumpkin event is available on various dates between 2-30 October, see website for details. This year, the farm will also be opening up for spooky night time pumpkin picking. Other fun family activities include the pumpkin cannon and maize maze.
• Tickets at £1 per visitor this year, arriving in 30 minute slots and staying up to 2 hours.

Bocketts Farm, Surrey

• Visitor attraction family fun park set in the Surrey countryside on the slopes of the North Downs, with animals, play areas and other activities.
• Their Witches and Wizards Week is open 22-31 October. This includes access to the pumpkin village as well as science and animal shows, a spooky trail, tractor rides and more.
• Tickets at £16 for adults, £17.50 for children aged three-17, £15.50 for children aged two, under twos go free. £14 for seniors (+60 years) and £13.50 for the disabled, free for carers.

Crockford Bridge Farm, Surrey

• Family-owned farm near Weybridge. One of Surrey's largest growers of pumpkins, they also also grow many other crops for visitors to pick year round in their fields. In addition, they have a tea shack and ice creams for sale on site.
• The Pumpkin Festival is running from the 22-30 October with picking available to book on weekends only. Pre-harvested pumpkins are also available for sale from their pumpkin market.
• Tickets at £4.50 for a pumpkin-picking weekend.

Willows Activity Farm, Hertfordshire

• Family attraction in St Albans with acres of land, farmyard animals, adventure play, funfair rides, tractor rides and indoor softplay.
• The Pumpkin Festival runs 15-31 October, with pumpkin picking plus a full programme of family events including Peter Rabbit's Adventure Playground, Mr Todd’s Lair, The Big Dig sand & water play, Squirrel Nutkin’s Treehouse and more. There’s also a Pumpkin Hunt with a prize badge for all those taking part.
• Tickets at £24 for adults and children, Under twos go free to access the site, or pay £2 if picking a pumpkin.
• Book online through booking system. A 50p booking fee also applies for all

Cammas Hall Fruit Farm, Hertfordshire

• A family-owned and run business in beautiful countryside on the Hertfordshire/Essex border, with a wide selection of pick-your-own fruit and vegetables, tea barn, farm shop, maize maze, nature trail and children’s play area.
• Halloween experience is open from 1-31 October, including access to their pumpkin patch with a choice of more than 40 varieties of pumpkin and squash, plus fun activities, discounted entry to the maize maze, photo opportunities and a Wicked Walkway. Pumpkin Patch Night picking sessions are also available.
• Tickets at £2-7 for adults and children (plus 25p booking fee), under twos go free.

Millets Farm Centre, Oxfordshire

• One of Oxfordshire's biggest visitor attraction centres for food, shopping and entertainment.
• The Halloween Spook-tacular Farm includes pumpkin picking, a circus, disco, reptile shack and plenty more. PYO Pumpkins are open on weekends from 24th September and then daily in the October half term (17th -31st).
• Tickets at £1 to enter the pumpkin patch, then you pay for what you pick, depending on pumpkin size. Under twos can enter the field free of charge.

Rectory Farm, Oxfordshire

• 45 acres of farmland with seasonal fruit, vegetable and flower picking events, plus a farm shop selling homegrown produce and a café serving seasonal lunches, drinks and snacks. Rectory Farm's specialities are asparagus (April-June) and strawberries (May-October).
• The Pumpkin Patch will be open 20th – 30th October (closed Monday 24th) offering several pumpkin varieties and ornamental gourds.
• Tickets go on sale on Thursday 8th September, priced at £3 per person. There will also be entertaining farm characters, garden games, pumpkin crafts and photo opportunities which are included in the admission price. Face painting and tractor rides will carry extra charges.

South West

Trevaskis Farm, Cornwall

• Set amidst 28 acres of beautiful countryside, Trevaskis Farm offers a range of pick-your-own fruit and vegetables alongside an award-winning butchery, artisan market and restaurant.
• Pick Your Own Pumpkins is open throughout October.
• Booking is not required, simply turn up to the farm shop. Pumpkins range in price from £1.95 to £3.50 and are based on the size of pumpkin. A size chart is available onsite.

Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park, Bristol

• A family-orientated park with indoor and outdoor play areas, animal-handling activities and more than 90 acres to explore, plus seasonal events throughout the year
• The Pumpkin Patch is open 1-31 October during the day, with night visits only available from the 7th October. The experience includes extra entertainment in the form of theatrical performers, fire shows, fair rides, pumpkin paintball, bottle smash, a pumpkin slingshot and pumpkin canons.
• Tickets at £4,99 for adults, children aged two-16 and toddlers, babies go free. £2.50 for carers and £3 for a dog pass.

Isle of Wight

Tapnell Farm Park, Yarmouth

• A former dairy farm, Tapnell Farm Park is now an all-weather amusement park with a petting zoo, go-kart rides, sledge slides and play areas as well as farm accommodation, restaurant and seasonal events.
• Their Spooky Farm Fun event is running October half term 16-31st where you can venture to Wanda's Pumpkin Patch and meet a host of magical characters, enjoy tarot card readings, pumpkin carving and even watch a Bugs and Beasties Show in the animal theatre (select dates).
• Tickets go on sale online from the start of October.

Scotland

Arnprior Farm, Stirling, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs & The Forth Valley

• Established in 2015, Arnprior Farm is a pumpkin patch and destination glamping site, with swimming and lambing experiences also open.
• Pick Your Own Pumpkin is running on the six-acre patch with 15,000 pumpkins to choose from.
• A single ticket equals 1 car costing £9 and the ticket can be used to go toward the price of a pumpkin picked onsite, according to the size of pumpkin.

Kilduff Farm, East Lothian, Edinburgh and The Lothians

• Established in 2018, The Patch at Kilduff was developed to engage children with rural life and teach them about the provenance of food.
• Their Pumpkin Festival is running 15-31 October
• Tickets at £6 for one standard car parking and admission of all passengers to the patch for two hours.

Craigies Farm Shop, Edinburgh and The Lothians

• Established in 1988, Craigies is one of the UK's leading farm shop destinations and also offers an extensive pick-your-own and Little Farmers, an adventure farm park for children and families.
• PYO Pumpkins is available 1-31 October
• Tickets from £3-4 for adults and £1.50-£2 for children aged up to 15. The entry voucher is redeemable against fruit/veg picked depending on the size and quantity.

Charleton Fruit Farm, Dumfries and Galloway

• A family-run business since 1946, Charleton Fruit Farm in Montrose offers a range of vegetable and fruit picking events throughout the year, alongside a farm shop and cafe.
• Pumpkin Picking is running throughout October, there will be an onsite photographer alongside other autumnal activities such as wreath and crown making.
• No booking necessary and no entrance fees. Pay for activities and pumpkins onsite.

Westerton Farmers, Aberdeen City and Shire

• A family business centered around sustainable farming, bringing delicious, seasonal food to customers via their Spud Hut, farm events, wholesale supply and online shop.
• The PYO Pumpkins event is running 8th-29th October.
• Tickets at £5 for a one-car parking space (plus 82p booking fee, plus £1.16 VAT)

Udny Pumpkins, Aberdeen City and Shire

• One of Scotland's most northerly pumpkin patches, this Aberdeenshire site offers around 5000 pumpkins in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
• Pumpkin picking is running 16-31 October. The patch is also home to animals that visitors can interact with, including bottle-fed sheep and baby chicks. Other site activities include a colouring competition and playing on hay bales.
• Book tickets online. Tickets at £5 per car, which includes a £5 voucher to use towards the cost of a pumpkin. These are priced between £1.50-£10 and visitors can buy as many pumpkins as they like.

Loch Ness Pumpkins, Highlands

• Corrimony Farm and their sister site, Buntait Farm, in the heart of Glenurquhart, are home to the Highland Pumpkin Picking Patch.
• Pumpkin Picking for 2022 is available on the dates as follows; 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th October 2022
• Book tickets online. Tickets are on a per person basis rather than per car like previous years. Adults are £4, Children £6 and all under the age of 3 go free.

Broadslap Fruit Farm, Perthshire, Tayside

• A family-run fruit farm located eight miles from Perth, Broadslap ofter a range of high-quality produce in their shop as well as a restaurant and seasonal events.
• The Broadslap PumpkinFest runs 5th- 31st October.
• There are no entrance fees. Booking slots are available via the online booking form and you pay for what you pick onsite.

Wales

Forage Farm, Cowbridge, South Glamorgan

• Artisan farm shop showcasing the best of fresh, seasonal Welsh produce as well as a range of carefully selected, dry goods and drinks from our local suppliers.
• PYO Pumpkins is running at the nearby Penllyn estate 15-16 October and again from 22nd -31 October. Other activities include a maze of maize, face painting, tractor rides and hot food onsite.
• Tickets at £8 per car (plus 63p booking fee). Pumpkin prices start at £2.

Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, West Glamorgan

• Known for their fresh-cut, real Christmas trees and sizeable reindeer herd, this fifth-generation family business also offer other seasonal picking events including sunflowers and pumpkins.
• Their Halloween on Gower event runs during October half term, but pumpkin picking begins earlier on the 7th October and ends 31st October.
• Booking is not required for pumpkin picking, though if you wish to partake in other Halloween events such as pumpkin carving, tickets are available to book at £7.99 (plus 59p booking ticket).

Clearwell Farm, Gwent

• More than 110 years old, Clearwell Farm is home to an extensive cereal crop, cider orchards and sheep flock. They offer seasonal activities including pumpkin and Christmas tree picking plus entry to a maize maze. Some of the traditional barns and cowsheds have also been converted into short-term rental cottages.
• The Pumpkin Festival runs from 8-30 October offering more than 20 varieties, from tiny multicoloured gourds to the massive Atlantic Giant.
• Tickets at £5 for a one-car parking space (max five people) (plus 42p booking fee). Pumpkins start at £2.

Bellis Brothers, Wrexham

• An independently run family business on the outskirts of Holt in the Dee Valley. Established in 1860 as a fruit and veg patch, Bellis has expanded to include an extensive farm shop, garden centre, gift department, large restaurant and seasonal pick your own.
• PYO Pumpkins and the Spooky Maize Maze are open every weekend from 8th October until Sunday 23rd October.
• General admission tickets are free, but advanced booking is essential. Pumpkin prices start at £2 and entry to the maze is £2 per person, under threes go free.

Pembrokeshire Pumpkins, Pembrokeshire

• An extensive pumpkin farm home to a wide selection of squashes – orange, white polar bears, stripy, munchkins and more.
• Pumpkin picking is running on weekends in October and everyday of the half term. Other events include a woodland play area, creepy walk and bale trail, pumpkin barn, vintage funfair and refreshments.
• Tickets starting at £5.98.

Northern Ireland

Streamvale Open Farm, Belfast, County Down

• Family-friendly farm offering opportunities to kids to interact with farm animals, holiday pods and a range of seasonal events.
• Halloween pumpkin patch is open 15 October -1st November with daily three-hour sessions available to book. Other onsite activities include pumpkin carving, barrel and tractor rides, a Broomtastic disco and spooky trail. Evening floodlit sessions are also available this year.
• Tickets at £40 for a family of four and two pumpkins, £48 for a family of five and three pumpkins, £54 for a family of six and four pumpkins. Individually, tickets are £11 for an adult (no pumpkin included, £13 included), £10.50 for children over three and £4.50 for toddlers (one to two years). Infants under one go free.

Fultons Pumpkin Patch, County Tyrone

• Small dairy and sheep farm based between Donemana and Artigarvan, offering a wide range of pumpkins grown onsite plus a maize maze.
• Pumpkin patch and Spook trail is open 15-30 October, along with fun family events including rhymes, music, dancing, puppets, interactive stories and more.
• Book your slots on a ticket eventbrite page accessed via their Facebook page. Admission tickets cost £2.50 per person aged 1-9, under 1s go free. Pumpkins range from £3-10.

Tips for picking your own pumpkins

When are pumpkin patches open?

Most PYO pumpkin sessions are open during the October half term from 16-31st, however some patches are open from the beginning of October too.

What else is there to do?

Other family-friendly activities will often be available on the various farm sites such as visiting animals, play areas and Halloween-themed events.

Why visit a pumpkin patch instead of the supermarket?

• Whilst supermarket pumpkins tend to be relatively uniform, the beauty of buying one from a patch is that you get a much wider variety of shapes, sizes and colours to choose from. These could include white, green and orange pumpkins, small decorative gourds, warty and stripy varieties, culinary pumpkins and plenty more.
• Pumpkins aside, it's also a chance to enjoy a family activity outdoors and for kids to interact with the natural environment and help understand the provenance of their food.
• You'll also be supporting a local business and many pumpkin patches will also be selling additional homegrown produce and artisan products in farm shops nearby.

What should I look for in a pumpkin?

Here are some things to check when deciding on the best pumpkin to pick...

• Knock on the pumpkin to see if it returns a hollow sound – this means it is ripe.
• Make sure that the base of the pumpkin is not soft or mushy.
• Check that the stem is firm and brown in colour (a sign of ripeness) and never pick up a pumpkin from the stem or cut off the stem as this could speed up the decay process.
• Avoid bruised pumpkins with irregular, soft spots as these can indicate moisture.
• If you are looking for an easy pumpkin to carve, check for an even, smooth surface and flat base so that it remains sturdy.
• Looking for a pumpkin to bake with? In this case, it's better to choose a smaller pumpkin (weighing around four to six pounds) as these have a better taste and texture.

What should I wear for pumpkin picking?

Wrap up in warm clothing and bring waterproofs to prepare for all weathers. Most importantly, bring a good pair of wellies! Pumpkin patches can get pretty muddy.

What else should I bring?

A strong bag (such as a heavy-duty shopping bag) would be useful for carrying your pumpkin to the car. Some sites may offer wheelbarrows to cart your pickings.

Do you get to pick the pumpkin directly off the plant?

No, normally pumpkins will have been pre-harvested and cut off the vines in advance of visitors arriving at picking events. These will then be left to 'cure' (harden and turn orange) so that they are ready for you to choose.

How should I prepare my pumpkin

When you arrive home, ensure you wash and thoroughly dry the pumpkins. You can also wipe them down with a very weak cleaning solution to discourage rot. They will then be ready for storage.

How to store a pumpkin

• Pumpkins should be stored in a dry, frost-free, well-ventilated shed or room at temperatures below 15°C (60°F) and no colder than 10°C (50°F).
• Put them on a thick layer of cardboard, newspaper, straw or on a wire rack to allow air to circulate. Alternatively, you could fashion a sling out of cloth or an old pair of tights to tie them up, as this allows good air circulation.
• Don’t store them near other fruits such as apples, which emit gas that can speed up ageing.
• Check your stored pumpkins regularly for signs of rot and remove any affected areas of flesh immediately.
• Most pumpkins will normally keep for 30-90 days, depending on the thickness of their skin.

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Planning to pick your own pumpkins this year? Let us know if you have any other recommendations in the comments below...