The best pumpkin patches in the UK for October half term – with free carving workshops, live music and treasure hunts
WHETHER you are looking for the perfect Halloween pumpkin for carving or you are just there for the perfect Insta snap, you will have your pick at these six pumpkin patches across the UK.
And the best news is, it will not be a fright for your wallet as some of these venues cost nothing to visit.
Happy picking . . .
DODDINGTON HALL, LINCS
THERE are a whopping 30 varieties of pumpkin sprouting up from the gardens of this Elizabethan manor house in Lincoln.
There’s one you won’t see anywhere else in the country, though — the golden-bottomed one.
Staff have hidden 12 of these special golden veggies around the gardens and anyone who finds one will win a family ticket to the Christmas In The Hall event, as well as a 4ft Doddington homegrown Christmas tree.
The patch is open daily 9.30am- 4.30pm, until October 31.
Entry is free and pumpkins cost from £3. See doddingtonhall.com.
FARMER COPLEYS, WEST YORKS
IT’S not just about plucking the best-looking pumpkin at this local farm shop in Pontefract, although it does have seemingly every variety from Baby Bear, Munchkin and Cinderella to Casperita, Goosebump and Pumpkin Rouge.
A festival is taking place throughout October, with tractor rides, archery, dog competitions, storytelling and a new sheep show.
There are even special “pumpkin nights” for after-school fun with live music.
The festival runs from now until October 31.
Tickets cost £7, while kids under three go free. See farmercopleys.co.uk.
TULLEYS PUMPKINS, WEST SUSSEX
YOU’LL have field upon field of sprouting pumpkins to rummage through at Tulleys Pumpkins in Crawley, West Sussex.
You may even be able to recruit the help of a bright-orange wizard or Gourdy the Jester.
Once you’ve found the perfect one, reward yourself with some loaded fries or a toffee apple from one of the food trucks or a spooky cocktail at the aptly named pumpkin bar.
There’s even an observation wheel that takes visitors soaring above the fields.
Tulleys Pumpkins is open every day from tomorrow until October 29.
Entry is from £6 and pumpkins cost from £1 to £25 depending on size. See pumpkinfarm.co.uk.
TAPNELL FARM, ISLE OF WIGHT
WITH so much going on here, you can easily make a full day of fun at this wholesome farm, south of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.
Entry is free and once you’ve picked your favourite pumpkin you can carve it using the tools on site at no extra cost — all the mess is then used to feed the farm animals.
Make sure to bring some spare change so you can try your luck at one of the many fairground games like hook-a-pumpkin, ring toss and even axe throwing.
If you’re planning on whipping up a pumpkin-themed feast with what you’ve picked, the farm’s website has plenty of free recipes.
The pumpkin festival is open every day from this Saturday until October 31, 11am-4pm.
Entry is free and pumpkins cost from £3 for a small, £5 for a medium and £7 for a large one. See tapnellfarm.com.
MAXEYS FARM SHOP, NOTTS
IF you’re looking for the quirkiest collection of pumpkins for a spooky display, then this is the place to go.
It has pumpkins in every shade of orange, green, blue and white and every shape from round and large to long and bobbly.
James Maxey started the tiny patch at his parents’ farm in 2012 when he was just 13.
He would come along with his nan’s secateurs and cut off the one you chose.
Since then things have really grown with more fields, plus a Halloween tent selling costumes, sweet treats and candles, as well as homemade food.
The farm is open daily from 9am-5.30pm and the pumpkin patch runs until October 31.
Admission is £2 per adult while under 16’s are free.
Squashes cost from 50p while pumpkins start at £2. See pickupapumpkin.com.
KILDUFF FARM, SCOTLAND
PUMPKINS aren’t just for Halloween.
That’s the ethos at Kilduff Farm in East Lothian where the owners have grown specific varieties that are great to cook with.
As well as learning some terrific recipes from the masters, visitors can sample tasty treats and stock up on fresh, local produce from the farm shop.
When you’ve had your fill of food and pumpkin picking, challenge yourself to find your way out of the bale maze or have a go at some of the festival games on site.
The patch is open today, October 20-23 and October 27-29 with specific time-slot sessions of 9.30am-11.30am, 12pm-2pm and 2.30pm- 4.30pm.
Tickets are priced £7 per car and pumpkins cost from £1 to £8 depending on weight. See kilduff.co.uk.