We’ve selected the best PYO pumpkin patches in the East of England. A fun, cheap, family day out this autumn.
A pumpkin is the must have accessory of the season! Pull on your wellies and have an autumn adventure at one of the best pumpkin patches in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. There’s a chance to pick your own pumpkin, enjoy plenty of family-friendly festivities and get ready for Halloween!
Pumpkin patches in Essex
Cammas Hall, open throughout October
Hatfield Broad Oak, near Bishop’s Stortford
There are pumpkins galore! Each year the choice gets bigger; you can pick your own from the field or from the ready picked patch. Pass through the Halloween house and get your Insta worthy pic on the hay bales surrounded by colourful pumpkins. Stock up on sweet treats and carving kits at the farm shop or enjoy a trip around the Halloween themed Maize Maze. There’s also Halloween colouring, crafts and face painting during half term. www.cammashall.co.uk/halloween
Hatters Farm, every weekend and half term during October
Hatter’s Farm, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 6NP
Explore the field full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, admire the displays and lose yourself in the maize maze with its twists, turns and games. Setting this farm apart is the pumpkin cannon. Propel a pumpkin into the air and aim for the Halloween target range! If the weather allows, guests are welcome to enjoy a picnic and let children run off some steam through the nature trail. Booking is essential. It’s £3 per car which is redeemable against your pumpkin purchase. www.hattersfarmpumpkins.co.uk
Foxes Farm Produce, open throughout October
Basildon, SS15 4ER & Colchester, CO6 3PR
This farm has two locations, Colchester and Basildon, where you can pick your pumpkin straight from the field. You can pick as early as the 25 September. This year the farm recommends visiting early due to weather and stock levels. www.foxesfarmproduce.co.uk
Marsh Farm Halloween Festival, 16 & 17, 23-31 October
Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5WP
The family-friendly farm decked out in spookiness for its Halloween Festival, where children take part in activities and events. It’s a day filled with spooky fun including a Halloween themed walkaround, 3D cinema and pumpkin patch. www.marshfarm.co.uk
Calcott Hall, October, 26-28 October
Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9HS
Head down to the farm this half term and pick your own juicy pumpkin from the field. Once you’ve chosen your loot, let the children enjoy the playground then warm up in the Barnyard Café. www.calcotthall.com
Pick your own pumpkin patches in Suffolk
Undley Pumpkin Patch & Maize Maze, weekends and half term in October
Undley Road, Beck Row, IP28 8BX
One of the biggest and most popular pumpkin patches in the region, you’ll need to be quick to snap up the best. Grab a wheelbarrow and pick directly from the field – there’s 60 varieties of pumpkin available! Get lost in the maize maze, climb the hay bales, shop Halloween décor and tuck into tasty treats. This year the pumpkin patch and activities will be spread over a colossal 75-acres to ensure there’s plenty of space for everyone. undleyfarmevents.co.uk
Siam Hall Spooky Pumpkin Patch, 23-31 October
Siam Hall, Boxford, Suffolk, CO10 5LA
A small, family run business, the patch has a friendly and welcoming team who are on hand to help you pick the best pumpkin for your needs. Grab a wheelbarrow and pick directly from the vine in this huge field, full of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colours. There’s opportunities for photos, picnics and refreshments too. www.siamhallpumpkins.co.uk
Friday Street Farm
Friday Street, Saxmundham IP17 1JX
The farm shop and cafe will be hosting a PYO pumpkin patch. Choose a pumpkin from the field, browse seasonal produce in the farm shop and enjoy a bite to eat at the cafe. www.fridaystfarm.co.uk
Norfolk pumpkin patches
The Pumpkin House, 22-31 October
Brookhill Farm, Fakenham Road, Thursford, Fakenham NR21 0BD
A pop-up shop and pumpkin patch. Get into the Halloween spirit at the Pumpkin House, which will be decorated with over 1,000 pumpkins and scarecrows. There’s a huge selection of pumpkins to choose from and plenty of photo opportunities. www.pumpkinhouse.co.uk
The Tacons, October half term 10am-4pm
The Grange, Rollesby, Great Yarmouth NR29 5AJ
A pick your own location. Stock up on pumpkins and other autumnal produce to create tasty treats at home such as pumpkin pie. thetacons.co.uk
Algy’s Farm Shop, throughout October
Billingford Rd, Bintree, Dereham NR20 5PW
Pick your own pumpkin from a huge field. Pumpkins will be attached to the vine with lots of shapes and sizes to choose from. www.algys.co.uk
Pick your own pumpkins in Cambridgeshire
Pumpkin Jims, 23-31 October
Ickleton, Ickleton, Saffron Walden CB10 1TA
Get into the Halloween spirit at this popular pick your own patch. Grab a wheelbarrow and make your way across the patch. Choose big pumpkins for carving, squashes, dig up seasonal veg and pick wildflowers. It’s a great family autumn day out, plus you can warm up with hot drinks and treats from a selection of food trucks. www.pumpkinjimspatch.co.uk
Hill Farm, throughout October
Oundle Road, Chesterton, Peterborough PE7 3UA
The farm offers ‘pick your own’ through June to October. October is all about pumpkins and squashes. Stop by with the family, pick a pumpkin then head to the outdoor playground. www.hillfarmpyo.co.uk
Pumpkins at Freshfields, throughout October
Freshfields Farm, Benwick Road, Ramsey Forty Foot, Cambridge
Pick your own pumpkin directly from the field or choose from a large selection of pre-picked ones. www.facebook.com/pg/pumpkinsatfreshfields
Skylark Maize Farm, 23-31 October
Manea Road, Wimblington, March PE15 0PE
There’s lots of Halloween fun including a pick your own pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and tractor rides, all part of the Week of Wickedness. www.skylark-events.co.uk/week-of-wickedness
The best pumpkin patches in Hertfordshire
The Pop Up Farm, throughout October
Junction 9, Flamstead, St Albans AL3 8HT
An experience for the whole family, choose a wheelbarrow and make your way across the muddy field to stock up on pumpkins of all shapes and sizes surrounded by hay bales and displays. Booking is essential. www.thepopupfarm.co.uk
The Patch
Hatch Lane, Weston, Hitchin, SG4 7EB
Teach your children where their food comes from and turn a trip to ‘the patch’ into an educational experience. There is a wide selection of pumpkins to choose, plus you can pick up honey from the bees that pollinated the pumpkins flowers. Get lost in the maize maze and enjoy the outdoors activities. www.thepatchweston.com
