Tracy Tristram
Oct 16, 20233 min
Oh my gourd: before we know it spooky season will be flying in on its broom for another year of Halloween fun, so we totally need to be on the ball when it comes to booking for a pumpkin patch near London. Here are the places perfect for Jack-o-Lantern adventures and, we think, a fun day with your little pumpkins that'll be the pick of the activity crop.
We hear rumour of a Slime Factory, Halloween trail, mad scientists and a FREE pumpkin for each of your little monsters if you jump on your brooms and head over to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary during its Haunted Half Term at Hopefield event. Tickets have just gone on sale, and are limited, so don't snooze and lose! Oh, and ALL the profits go back into caring for its 600+ rescued animal, bird and reptile residents. All. The. Wins.
Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Farm, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9BZ
With thousands and thousands of pumpkins, squashes and gourds to pick from at Hurley's Pumpkin Forest out in the Essex countryside, you're sure to find the perfect size for your squash goals. We got our own pumpkins here last year and there's already hot debate at London for Kidz HQ about going even more carving cray cray in 2023.
Hurley's Family Farm, Woodham Road Battlesbridge, Wickford SS11 7QL
Head out to Kent to become a country pumpkin at Four Winds Farm and say "Hello, Gourdeous!" to the pumpkin of your dreams. Sessions are available from 24-31 October, but do pre-book your spot.
Four Winds Farm, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0RL
Run by brothers Max and Toby Williams, Stanhill Farm is just 17 miles from central London making it an easy peasy pumpkin pick for a fun day out at a farm.
Stanhill Farm, Birchwood Road, Wilmington, Kent DA2 7HD
With two locations in (not so) sunny Essex, you'll have a Happy Hollow-ween when you come home with enough pumpkins to sink a ghost ship with from Foxes Farm. Book ahead, and then pitch up ready to get a pickin'.
Foxes Farm, Wash Road, Basildon SS15 4ER and Aldham, Colchester CO6 3PR
Pack the car up for a squash and a squeeze kinda day by heading out to West Surrey for a whole heap of pumpkin picking, all perfect for Jack-o-lantern carving fun. Either pick from the fields and visit the Pumpkin Festival, or, if you don't fancy the whole picking part, there's also an outdoor Pumpkin Market happening, packed with pre-harvested pumpkins and squashes aplenty. It goes without saying by now, but please pre-book!
Crockford Bridge Farm, New Haw Road, Surrey KT15 2BU
Plonked on the beautiful Essex/Hertfordshire border, Cammas Hall Farm has its biggest and best ready-picked pumpkin patch fully stocked and ready to go this October. With over 20 varieties of pumpkins and squashes, plus some spooktastic Halloween decor, this is a frightfully good day out that your mini monsters are sure to love.
Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
Head on down to Nathan's Farm for its pumpkin-packed annual Pick Your Own Pumpkin event. As well as the pumpkin patch, you'll also find pumpkin carving, pumpkin soup, a playground and a whole host of cute farm animals to pet.
Nathan's Farm, Chalfont Road, Chalfont St Giles, Rickmansworth HP8 4BT
With a Spooky Trail, a Discovery Walk, tractor rides and a Pumpkin Palace, the fangtastic fun at Priory Farm will be up and running soon.
Priory Farm, Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey RH1 4EJ
Don't forget to use the #londonforkidz on your pumpkin patch social media posts so we can see the cuteness!
Like this story? Here's some more you might find useful:
Halloween recipes for small ghouls
Spooky-but-not-too-spooky Halloween movies
City farms in and around London
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