Pumpkin patches to visit this autumn
From cooking to carving, there are plenty of uses for the humble squash

As Halloween draws closer, it’s time for autumn enthusiasts to start thinking about where to source their pumpkins. Whether for cooking, carving or decorating, here are five fantastic pumpkin patches around the UK to fulfil your seasonal needs.
Hatter’s Farm, Essex
Only 30 miles from central London, Hatter’s Farm is the perfect destination for “wholesome, family-focused fun”, said Condé Nast Traveller. While the owners offer “year-round” excitement, with flower fields in the summer, “they truly excel during the pumpkin-picking season”. The farm offers pumpkin picking during the day and an array of spooky activities during its “Pumpkin Nights”, including “a maze to navigate, roaming live actors”, face-painting and a pumpkin cannon. Both daytime and night-time slots are ticketed in advance on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Swansea
Known primarily as Wales’ largest Christmas tree grower, Gower Fresh Christmas Trees “broadened their farming efforts” towards pumpkin picking in 2018, said WalesOnline. In addition to lengthening its hours, Gower Fresh widened its offerings, laying on a “Monsters Ball” for children. The best part: this year, entry is free, as long as you buy just one pumpkin.
gowerfreshchristmastrees.co.uk
Freshfields Farm, Cambridgeshire
Another free pumpkin patch, Freshfields Farm near Peterborough promises “plenty of photo opportunities”, said Cambridgeshire Live. While there is a coffee van and cake stand on site to “keep you fuelled throughout the day”, the site is cash only, so “make sure to bring some with you to buy a pumpkin and some treats”. The pumpkin patch is open every weekend in October and daily from 24 October until Halloween.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Secretts, Surrey
Secretts is the perfect pumpkin-picking destination for those looking for an event-filled experience. “Expect fancy dress competitions, scavenger hunts and pumpkin-themed refreshments”, said Time Out. Known for their artisanal food and drink selection, Pumpkin Week has intrigue for non-pumpkin lovers too. As well as an impressive cheese selection – “with over 300 British and European cheeses” – you will also find an “on-site butchers” offering “sustainably sourced, high quality meats”. The event runs from 18–30 October with tickets costing £6.50.
Arnprior Farm, Stirling
Home to Scotland’s original pumpkin festival, Arnprior Farm, located 20 miles north of Glasgow, boasts 15,000 pumpkins over 12 acres, said Condé Nast Traveller. The farm promises “an experience for the whole family”, with “something for everyone”. Activities include “quad pod rides”, a “fun-filled indoor straw barn”, face-painting and a host of food stalls. Daytime sessions run from 11–26 October, while after-school slots run from the 27–30 October. Tickets cost £14.90 per car.
-
Sora 2 and the fear of an AI video future
In the Spotlight Cutting-edge video-creation app shares ‘hyperrealistic’ AI content for free
-
Will Starmer’s India visit herald blossoming new relations?
Today's Big Question Despite a few ‘awkward undertones’, the prime minister’s trip shows signs of solidifying trade relations
-
Icarus programme – the ‘internet of animals’
The Explainer Researchers aim to monitor 100,000 animals worldwide with GPS trackers, using data to understand climate change and help predict disasters and pandemics
-
9 haunted hotels where things definitely go bump in the night
The Week Recommends Don’t fear these spirited spots. Embrace them.
-
How to make the most of your leftover pumpkins
The Week Recommends As the Halloween fun wraps up, snap up pumpkins still on sale and don't leave your jack-o-lanterns to rot
-
5 new horror movies to jump-scare your way through Halloween
The Week Recommends A new take on Stephen King classic 'Salems Lot', a spooky take on late-night talk shows, and more
-
The best horror franchises of all time
The Week Recommends From Freddy to Jason to Michael Myers, who has the greatest horror series of them all?
-
7 spooky places to visit this October
The Week Recommends These spots are perfect for scaredy cats, ghost hunters and everyone in between
-
The 9 best Halloween-themed movies to watch this season
The Week Recommends Get in a festive mood with the help of these great horror films
-
Movies to watch in October, from 'The Exorcist: Believer' to 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
The Explainer Taylor Swift and Martin Scorsese are coming to a theater near you
-
Halloween drinks: six spooky bottles to get the party started
The Week Recommends Featuring gruesome glow-in-the-dark and sinister skull-shaped designs