Mark the arrival of spooky season with a trip to one of these pumpkin patches within reach of London.
October is officially here – and while Halloween itself may still be a couple of weeks away, now’s the perfect time to embrace everything that spooky season has to offer.
From organising your Halloween plans to watching some of the brilliant seasonal films and TV on offer, there’s plenty to do to get you into the spirit. But no activity screams Halloween quite like a trip to pick out the perfect pumpkin – and that’s where this article comes in.
While the idea of pumpkin picking is a typically American concept, more and more people here in the UK are adopting the tradition as part of their Halloween celebrations.
And it’s hardly surprising – not only is it a fun activity to do with friends and family, but it’s also a great way to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of the crisp autumn weather.
So, whether you’re on the hunt for a pumpkin to transform into a jack o’lantern or use in a delicious autumnal recipe, keep reading to check out our pick of the best pumpkin patches and farms near London to visit this October.
Pumpkin Picking Village, Essex
Located in Chelmsford, Essex, Pumpkin Picking Village is more than just a pumpkin farm. As well as having a wide variety of pumpkins for you to pick from, the village also has a range of Halloween-themed photo ops, a shop and food and drink vendors, too.
They also offer a range of different events – including dog-friendly sessions and pumpkin picking nights with fairground rides – so there’s plenty to choose from.
Pumpkin Picking Village is open for 2022 from 6th-31st October.
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Tulleys Farm PYO, West Sussex
Tulleys Farm is famed for its Halloween Scream Park, but its PYO pumpkin park is also pretty impressive, too.
Spread across 90 acres, this year the farm has grown over 1 million pumpkins and gourds, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. And that’s not all there is to do during your visit – from photo opportunities and roaming characters to street food and an all-new pumpkin bar, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Plus, if you fancy making things even spookier, you can attend one of the farm’s ‘pumpkin nights’ and go picking by dark.
Tulleys Farm PYO is open for 2022 on select dates from 28th September-30th October.
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Cammas Hall Farm, Hertfordshire
Cammas Hall Farm grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for their PYO sessions over the summer, but when October arrives, they’re all about the pumpkins; in total, the farm boasts 40 different varieties of pumpkin and squash to choose from.
On top of picking out the perfect pumpkin, entry to Cammas Hall Farm includes entrance to the farm’s ‘Wicked Walkway’ as well as 20% off entry to its Halloween-themed Maize Maze. What better way to spend a weekend this spooky season?
Cammas Hall Farm’s pumpkin patch is open for 2022 from 1st-30th October.
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Priory Farm Estate, Surrey
Every year the team at Priory Farm Estate grow over 10,000 pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that suits your carving requirements – just hop on a tractor ride to their extensive pumpkin patch or pick up a gourd from their farm shop if you don’t fancy traipsing around the fields.
Plus, while you’re there, you could also check out the farm’s Halloween-themed Discovery Trail: an interactive walking route through 40 acres of the farm’s pastures, woodland and meadows.
Priory Farm Estate’s Halloween season is open for 2022 on select dates throughout October.
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Foxes Farm Produce, Essex
Now in its seventh year, Foxes’ PYO pumpkin patches are truly a sight to behold. Not only do they grow a wide variety of pumpkins and squashes, but Foxes is actually one of the number one pumpkin suppliers to supermarkets and shops across the UK, so you know you’re getting good quality.
There are also plenty of photo opportunities around the farms in Basildon and Colchester for that signature Instagram picture.
Foxes Farm Produce’s pumpkin patches are open for 2022 on select dates from 24th September-31st October.
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Crockford Bridge Farm, Surrey
This PYO farm in Surrey is one of the county’s largest growers of pumpkins, making it the ideal destination for anyone on the hunt for *the* perfect pumpkin.
If you fancy getting your hands dirty, you can book a pass to the farm’s patch and pick one yourself – but if not, they have a pumpkin market open from mid-October where there are plenty to choose from.
Crockford Bridge Farm’s pumpkin picking field is open for 2022 on select dates from 2nd-11th October. The pumpkin market is open from mid-October until it sells out.
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