Fancy going full autumn cliche? Why the heck not! Whether you’re craving a wholesome day out with the fam, the opportunity to show off your new season shacket in style or you’re simply hoping to nab the pick of the crop for your autumn tablescape centrepiece, pumpkin picking is the ultimate October bucket list fun. Keep scrolling for the crème de la crème of PYO patches in England, and enjoy the simplest of autumnal pleasures around- we heart you spooky season.
Bell’s Pumpkin Patch, Lincolnshire
📍 Lowfields Road, Boston, PE22 0EE
One of the biggest PYO patches in the UK and harvesting over 1 million pumpkins each year, Bell’s Pumpkin Patch in Lincolnshire welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year and has everything you need for a wholesome day out. Perfect for those with little ones (or anyone wanting to embrace their inner child) Bell’s has a maize maze, assault course, face painting, tractor rides and food and drinks area (with a cocktail menu FYI, major selling point) in addition to their perfect pumpkins and gourds which you can carve onsite too. Also home to Britain’s Biggest Pumpkin Cannon, join the team as they fire pumpkins across the open fields to raise money for some seriously inspiring charities. Open on the 16th-17th and 23rd-31st October, buy both single or family tickets via the Bell’s website.
Sompting Pumpkin Patch, West Sussex
📍 Halewick Lane, Sompting, Lancing, BN15 0NE
Grab your wellies, a wheelbarrow and your best cosy knit and head out into the rolling fields of the South Downs to experience all that their 23 acres of land has to offer. Parking and entry are free of charge here, however any money raised from the event is donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Children’s Charity which helps over 600 children receive specialist care and treatment. The family run patch also has a selection of seriously delicious recipe ideas on their website to inspire a wholesome candlelit dinner with your carving leftovers.
Tulleys Farm, West Sussex
📍 Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill Road, Turners Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 4PD
Tulleys Farm is the ultimate location for all the seasonal fun, with their Shocktober Fest and Halloween Fright Nights being a true staple for any adrenaline junkie in the autumn season. Their 60 acres of land produce over 450,000 pumpkins a year, so whether you want to carve a ghoulish face or collect a selection of gourds for your seasonal doorstep design, Tulleys is the place to be. And new for 2021, live roaming autumn characters occupy the pumpkin patch, including Gourdy the Jester, Sage the Wizard, Folly the Scarecrow and The Queen of the Harvest. Enjoy the magic of this immersive experience and don’t forget to tag @tulleyspyopumpkins on Instagram!
Undley Farm, Suffolk
📍 Pumpkin Patch & Maize Maze, Undley Road, Beck Row, IP28 8BX
Now running for 22 years, Undley Farm is a golden oldie pumpkin picking destination open on weekends and half term for all of your PYO needs this autumn. With 25 varieties of pumpkins and 36 different varieties of gourds to choose from, the fields and surrounding farmland also feature a Halloween maize maze, face painting, giant inflatables, pumpkin carving demonstrations and a lucky dip in which everyone’s a winner- what’s not to love?! The farm also has a barbeque offering burgers and hot dogs, hog roast, wood fired pizzas and traditional pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie (with vegan and gf options available too). Anyone else feeling peckish? Entry to the patch is free with small additional costs for extra attractions, and you can book admission via the Undley website.
Cattows Farm, Leicestershire
📍 Cattows Farm, Swepstone Road, Heather, Leicestershire, LE67 2RF
A family-run farm since 1899, Cattows is opening its gates once more for a bigger, better and spookier than ever Halloween extravaganza this autumn. Open from 9am–5pm Monday to Sunday, their impressive range of pumpkins, squashes and ornamental gourds are sold by weight and can start from as little as 20p! For those with impressive pumpkin knowledge, you can expect to see the Knucklehead, Charmed, Racer, Mars, Hooligan, Snowman and Harvest Moon pumpkin varieties in the rolling fields so you’ll be spoilt for choice. With a popular tearoom and takeaway coffee and snack shack, expect a full afternoon of fun at Cattows.
Piglet’s Adventure Farm, York
📍 Piglets, Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York, YO32 9ST
Not only does Piglet’s Farm have the cutest name in all the land, their pumpkin festival is the height of festive fun and one not to be missed for Northern dwellers close to the gorgeous town of York. Secure your tickets to the farm online and each full paying child receives a free (!) homegrown pumpkin of their choice to pick before heading over to the carving tent to transform it into a vegetable masterpiece. If you fancy going the whole hog this Halloween and being in with the chance of winning a free child annual membership then simply dress up in your spookiest ‘fit, take a photo in the Piglet’s farm photo frame and tag @pigletsadventurefarm to be in with the chance of winning. Psst- there’s a winner chosen every day!
Pickwell Farm, Southampton
📍 Pickwell Farm Shop, Grange Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 8GD
The simplest of pumpkin picking experiences without any frills, Pickwell Farm in Southampton has 10 acres of fields to wander and pick to your heart’s content. Simply grab a wheelbarrow and go, no need to book. They’ve been growing pumpkins for over 35 years and certainly know a thing or two about getting it right. Get an orange pumpkin at any size for £2.50 or white for £3, available Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm or Sundays 9am – 4pm.
Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorkshire
📍 Cannon Hall Farm, Cawthorne, Barnsley, S75 4AT.
If seeing adorable animals whilst pumpkin picking is also on your agenda (if not, it certainly should be) then look no further than Cannon Hall whose tickets also include a day’s admission to the farm. Meet Millie and Primrose the goats, Helen the hand-reared Alpaca and Ozzie Horseborne the Highland Calf Lilibet- the dream pals for your wholesome autumn day on the farm. All paying children get a free pumpkin and can also make the most of themed activities and outdoor and indoor playgrounds too so no matter the weather the little ones are occupied. All tickets must be booked in advance online. Adult admission £10.95 and kids £12.95.
Rectory Farm, Oxfordshire
📍 Rectory Farm, Stanton St John, Oxford, OX33 1HF
Oxfordshire’s Rectory Farm grows thirty different types of fruit, vegetables and flowers year-round, and this season they’re making history by growing their very first pumpkin patch- plus lots of new PYO flower varieties. The farm adopts modern techniques, such as growing strawberries on tabletops and in tunnels, which reduces the needs for pesticides and shields them from the harshest weather, meaning they can guarantee a consistently high quality crop. Passionate about minimising water waste, pollution and reducing the use of unnecessary fertilisers, Rectory Farm is a must-visit for the eco-conscious pumpkin picker. The pumpkin patch is open from 8th-31st October with no booking required.
Cammas Hall Farm, Hertfordshire
Family owned and situated on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, Cammas Hall Farm is easily accessible by London and promises a Halloween extravaganza including a Maize Maze and nature trails across a seven acre site. Offering some seriously eerie interaction with their friendly Halloween characters, a venture down the Wicked Walkway or simply a trip to the Cammas Hall Farm Shop packed with toffee apples, decorations and a plethora of seasonal produce, there’s oodles to do for a fun filled autumn weekend.
Mr Pumpkin, Derby
📍 Lime Farm, Mansfield Road, Morley, Derby DE7 6JU
Orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, star shaped pumpkins, giant pumpkins, teeny tiny pumpkins, warty pumpkins, striped pumpkins, ugly pumpkins, Mr Pumpkin, unsurprisingly, has it ALL when it comes to your Halloween vegetable needs. With over 90,000 pumpkins planted this year, the fourth-generation crop farm has been open to pumpkin picking lovers since 2017 and has grown year on year to meet the needs of Halloween lovers who want to celebrate in style. Their pumpkin trail raises funds for the Air Ambulance and PYO patch features over 40 different varieties of pumpkins. Tickets are on sale and available throughout the month of October, with under 16s going free and adult tickets available for just £2.
