Have you ever been pumpkin picking? We went last year and absolutely loved it! My three-year daughter still talks about it now and we can’t wait to go again this year.
If you’re looking for something fun and different to do towards the end of October or during the October half term then pumpkin picking might be just the thing.
Like Halloween, pumpkin picking is a tradition that seems to have made its way over from the USA and is now increasing in popularity throughout the U.K.
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Why Go Pumpkin Picking?
There are lots of great reasons to go and pick your own pumpkins.
While it might be slightly more expensive than buying a supermarket pumpkin, you’ll be supporting a small business and reducing your food miles.
Many pumpkin picking patches have an area where you can carve out your pumpkins. This means much less mess at home (which is always a win!) and they’ll usually recycle your waste by feeding it to their animals or turning it into compost.
It was super muddy when went pumpkin picking and squelching through the mud was one of the best bits (especially as this lady forget to pack her wellies – not a mistake I’ll be making again this year!). The kids took it in turns to push the wheelbarrow and then we grown-ups pushed the kids along in it too.
Many pumpkin picking patches offer other activities too such as mazes, fun photo ops, splat the rat and so on. They also might have somewhere you can buy drinks and snacks too or you might be welcome to bring your own.
Pumpkin picking also offers a fantastic opportunity to take some cute pictures of your children having fun and doing something different.
How Much Does Pumpkin Picking Cost?
The cost of pumpkin picking will vary depending on where you are in the country and what activities are on offer.
The place we went just charge for pumpkins and had a fairly simple small £3 medium £5 and large £7 etc system going on and hoops to put your pumpkin through the measure the size.
Other places I’ve seen locally charge an entry fee of around £5 per person (or per child) which covers the cost of the pumpkin and other activities.
We spent a good couple of hours pumpkin picking, giggling in the mud and then carving up our pumpkins so definitely thought it was worth the money.
Pumpkin Picking In The South West
While I can’t cover the whole country here are a few places here in the South West that offered have offered pumpkin picking in recent years and I imagine will be doing so again this year.
If I’ve missed anywhere please do pop me an email or a comment and I’ll try and get some more places added as and when I can.
Pumpkin Picking Locations In The Southwest
Thistledown Farm
So first up is pumpkin picking provided by somersetevents.com. This is where we went last year and plan on going again this year because we enjoyed it so much. Check their website for dates and opening times.
Thistledown Farm, Babcary, TA11 7DS
The entrance has moved from last year so follow the road signs on A37
Thurloxton Fruit Growers
Thurloxton Fruit Growers have offered Pumpkin picking for the last few years alongside their traditional fruit picking and sunflower event.
Keirles Farm, Taunton, TA2 8RH
Tickets for pumpkin picking can be found on their website. Last year places were limited due to Covid so it’s worth checking and booking availability before you go.
Farrington’s Farm
Farringtons Farm Shop offers a cafe and kids playzone as well as events throughout the year such as their Pumpkin Festival. Found out more on how to book tickets for 2021 on their website.
Main St, Farrington Gurney, Bristol BS39 6UB
