Holidays: Where the best places for pumpkin picking? Best UK pumpkin patches near you

Pumpkin picking is all the trend in 2019 for those looking to enjoy the Autumn and all its bounty. Popular with children and Instgrammers alike, heading to a pumpkin farm is a fun day out for anyone. Not only is the picking of the squash itself enjoyable but carving it up back home can make for a good time, too. So where are the best pumpkin patches to head to this October in the UK? Are any near you?

Surrey

Secretts farm was established back in 1908 and has held an annual pumpkin week in the school half-term before Halloween for the last five years. This year it’s 23-28 October.

Guests can take a tractor ride to the patch and enjoy pumpkin goodies, including pumpkin soup, pumpkin curry and pumpkin cake. There’s also face painting, biscuit decorating and a mini tractor play area.

Secretts of Milford, Hurst Farm, Chapel Lane, Milford, Surrey GU8 5HU; secretts.co.uk

Essex

Watch House Farm is home to Foxes Farm Produce pumpkin patches which is free to visit.

Pumpkin-themed games are available and there’s also a maize trail to tackle for the additional cost of £3.

Watch House Farm, Wash Road, Basildon SS15 4ER; foxesfarmproduce.co.uk

Shropshire

Apley Farm Shop in Norton holds the Spookley Pumpkin Festival from 12-31 October.

A visit will cost you £2.50 but you’ll be able to pick homegrown pumpkins and carve them as well as ride on the Pumpkin Express and eat pumpkin dishes.

Apley Farm Shop, Norton, Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 9EF; apleyfarmshop.co.uk

Suffolk

Undley Pumpkin Patch sees visitors collecting a wheelbarrow on arrival before heading off to pick pumpkins. There are also gourds and other squashes to choose from.

This year a specially created themed maize maze celebrates the patch’s 20th anniversary.

Also on show are live magic shows by Wayne Goodman, an inflatable obstacle course and pumpkin shaped bouncy castle.

Pumpkin Patch & Maize Maze, Undley Road, Beck Row, Suffolk, IP28 8BU pumpkinpatchundley.com

West Midlands

Hatton Adventure World is home is Pumpkin Week from 26 – 31 October. Guests at the family attraction can pick a pumpkin for free, carve it and enter the best-carved pumpkin competition to be in with a chance of winning a prize.

Hatton Country World, Dark Lane, Hatton, Warwick CV35 8XA adventure.hattonworld.com

Yorkshire

Ravensknowle Farm is hosting Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival 2019 which has planted in excess of 120,000 pumpkin plants this year.

It claims to be the UK’s largest pumpkin festival and is held from 5-31 October.

Expect pumpkins of all different colours: red, green, white, blue, black, yellow, mixed, warty and orange. There’s also a fancy dress parade.

Ravensknowle Farm, Pontefract Road, Pontefract WF7 5AF; farmercopleys.co.uk

Wales

Pumpkin Picking Patch Cardiff is offering daily pumpkin picking. They have planted 150,000 seeds and over 32 varieties of pumpkins and gourds on 50 acres across four sites.

The patch also offers Halloween crafts, fun activities and food. There’s even a friendly witch family.

On the A48 out of Cardiff, turn right after the Culverhouse Cross Junction and petrol station. A48, St Nicholas, Cardiff, CF5 6SF. pumpkinpickingpatch.com

Scotland

Craigies Farm is a family favourite in Edinburgh and surrounding areas in Scotland.

Picking your own pumpkin isn’t all you can do either, there are plenty of other activities available, such as visiting the animals, playing on the swings and taking a tractor and trailer ride.

The cafe serves breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea and plenty of delicious home bakes using as much local produce as possible.

West Craige Farm, South Queensferry, Edinburgh EH30 9AR craigies.co.uk

Northern Ireland

Streamvale Open Farm has a Halloween Pumpkin Parch ope until 31 October. Tickets are €9.50 for adults and €9 for a child over three which includes one pumpkin.

Kids can grab a mini wheelbarrow to carry their picked pumpkin. They can then enjoy pumpkin carving, animal shows, tractor rides, barrel rides and more.

Streamvale Open Farm, 38 Ballyhanwood Rd, Belfast BT5 7SN streamvale.com/halloween-pumpkin-patch

source: express.co.uk