Here we are, well into October, which means the half term holidays and Halloween are just around the corner. And we all know what Halloween means, don’t we? PUMPKINS! Who doesn’t love a pumpkin! We know plenty of grown ups whose kids are grown ups too, but they still can’t resist a pumpkin to carve for Halloween! And why not, it’s a lovely autumn tradition – let’s embrace it!
Not quite sure how it got to be October so soon, but here we are, loving the autumn colours and the misty mornings, the beautiful sunsets and the bounteous harvest nature has bestowed upon us this year – good grief – the apples! There are boxes outside of houses everywhere with a little note saying ‘Please help yourself’. Well, you know what they say – an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so make the most of it!
Anyway, back to pumpkins. Pumpkins are part of autumn, carving them out into spooky faces, scenes with cats and witches and all the clever things people do with them, it’s such a lovely thing to do with the fam; pop in a tealight, line them up on the doorstep or a wall and don’t they look good! It’s a beacon to trick or treaters though, so make sure you’ve got the goodies in. What to do with the flesh you’ve carved out? Make a spiced pumpkin soup! Perfect for a chilly autumn night, with a hunk of crusty bread.
So, if you live in Somerset or you’re down in the West Country for your half term hols, where’s the best place to get your pumpkins from? No, not the supermarket, that’s no fun! Get yourselves out in the wilds and pick your own pumpkins on the farm where the scenery is heaps better. Some have activities you can join in too, so it becomes more of a family outing, a chance to make some happy memories. We’ve come up with a short list of where to go for pumpkins across the county, and yer tiz (as they say in these parts):
Puxton Park Pumpkin Patch
Cowslip Lane, Hewish, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 6AH
Entry to the Pumpkin Patch is free, and you can really make a day of this by taking the kids round Puxton Park to go on the rides and meet the animals, and you can stock up on local goodies in the Farm Shop.
On the 24th and 25th October from 7-9pm they’re hosting an exciting Moonlit Pumpkin Patch event where you get to pick your pumpkins by the light of the moon. You can toast marshmallows around the firepit and enjoy warm seasonal treats – it’s a lovely atmosphere with the pumpkins all lit.
Open 10-4 every weekend in October and every day during half term week, dogs welcome.
Farrington’s Farm Pumpkin Picking Festival
Home Farm, Main Street, Farrington Gurney, Somerset, BS39 6UB
This is probably the biggest pumpkin patch in Somerset, with not just loads and loads of pumpkins, but all different types as well. You can carve your pumpkins in the carving marquee, and go to Whinny the Witch’s cauldron at the Witches Wood to toast marshmallows.
There’s lots going on at Farrington’s Farm, with tractor rides, a play barn, farm park, pop up funfair, places to eat, and a Farm Shop, so it makes a good day out.
Entry is £2.50 per person (free for under 2 years of age), you just pay for your pumpkins. The patch is open every weekend in October and every day during half term. You need to book your arrival slot online. Dogs are welcome.
Bath Pumpkin Picking Patch
Tuckers Meadow, Roots Allotments Site Newton Saint Loe, Bath, BA2 9EU
A whopping 8 acres of pumpkins, crafts and activities, tractor and trailer rides, a maize maze, autumn treats and food onsite. You don’t have to pay to visit the pumpkin patch, but you will need to pay for your pumpkins and you’ll have to book to go in the maze.
Open 10-4 every weekend in October weekend and daily during half term. Dogs welcome on leads.
Pumpkin Rolling at Forde Abbey
Chard TA20 4LU
Enormous fun in the beautiful grounds of Forde Abbey. Choose your pumpkin from the walled kitchen garden then take it to the front lawn where the pumpkin rolling takes place. Starting from the top, the aim is to roll it as far as possible down the slope; you can play as many times as long as your pumpkin stays intact.
Normal admission prices apply, which is £15.00 per adult and £6 per child, plus the price of your pumpkin. Open 10:30-4 Oct 25th-Nov 2nd. Dogs allowed on short leads.
Palette & Pasture Pumpkin Patch
Pyle Farm, Trudoxhill, Near Frome, Somerset. BA11 5DL
This is a lovely place to be! They run events throughout the year including a maize maze, sunflower field, Elf Trail and every October, a Pumpkin Festival. Entry is charged at £1 per person for age 3 years+ for a two hour slot, but you must pre-book. There are inflatables to play on and an ice cream parlour where they sell their homemade Somerset gelato.
Open every weekend in October and every day during half term 11-4. Dogs welcome on short leads.
Quantock Pumpkin Patch
East Quantoxhead, Kilve TA5 1EH
This is tucked away in the Quantock Hills but is well signposted. You don’t need to book - entry is £1 per person (free for under 1 year of age) with pumpkins charged extra. Also on site is an activity barn, farm animals, a Spooky Maize Trail, and refreshments.
Open weekends from 4 October and daily 25–31 October 10-4. Assistance dogs only.
Thurloxton Farm
Keirles Farm, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8RH
Choose your pumpkin from the hundreds growing in the 2.5 acre pumpkin fields, have fun playing Halloween themed games and if you're brave enough, doing the Spooky Walk, tuck into wood fired pizzas. You’ll need to book tickets online – they cost £14.50 for weekends and £12.50 week days for children aged 3+, which includes a pumpkin and activites. Accompanying adults pay £3.50 each but this doesn’t include a pumpkin.
Open 25–31 October, assistance dogs only.
Pitt Farm Pumpkins
West Buckland, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9HX
Choose from over 30 different kinds of pumpkin, squash and gourds, find your way round the Spooktacular Maize Maze, climb the Bale Mountain, round it off with refreshments. Tickets should be booked in advance - entry is £1.50 per person age 3 and above and you have to pay for your pumpkins.
Open every weekend in October and every day in half term until Friday 31st from 10-5. Assistance dogs only.
Birds Farm, North Curry
Knapp, North Curry, TA3 6AZ
The fields on the farm have pumpkins in all sizes, shapes and colours, so go and PYO. There’s no entry fee and no need to book – you just pay for your pumpkin. The setting, with views over the Somerset Levels, is lovely, there’s a farm shop and café onsite.
Open daily from 2 October, 10am–4pm. Dogs welcome.
Things to remember are that PYO pumpkins are usually grown on farms where the fields can be muddy, so old clothes and wellies are a good idea. The stalks can be a bit prickly so it might be worth taking gloves; wheelbarrows are often provided to transport your pumpkins and there is often pumpkin carving onsite, but you may have to pay extra for a carving kit.
Join in this traditional Autumn activity, get a load of all those gorgeous autumn feels and make a whole load of memories. Happy Halloween! 🎃