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Autumn days out

The Best Pumpkin Patches in the UK for 2026

By WhatAreTheTop.Best Editorial TeamUpdated 8 min read

Pick-your-own pumpkins have become one of the biggest family days out of the British autumn, and the best pumpkin patches in the UK now sell out weeks in advance. We have ranked five genuinely excellent, well-run patches across England and Scotland, weighing the size and variety of the fields, the extras that keep children happy, value for money and how easy each is to reach. Whether you want a full-blown festival or a straightforward muddy field with a wheelbarrow, there is a UK pumpkin patch here for you. Entry and the pumpkins themselves are almost always charged separately, and nearly every patch on this list now requires you to pre-book a timed slot online. The pumpkin season runs roughly from late September to early November, but exact opening dates, timed-ticket booking and prices change every year, so always confirm on each farm's own website before you travel.

Researched by WATTB

Published
31 August 2026
Updated
31 August 2026
Last verified
31 August 2026

We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →

How we picked · We assessed dozens of UK pick-your-own patches on field size and pumpkin variety, family facilities, value and accessibility, prioritising farms with historically reliable autumn seasons and transparent booking, and cross-checking opening details and pricing against each venue's own published information. Read our full method →

The picks in depth

WATTB PickBest overall

Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival

WATTB96/100

Why it won

One of the UK's biggest and most polished pumpkin festivals, with hundreds of thousands of homegrown pumpkins and a genuine day's worth of extras.

Over 300,000 homegrown pumpkins across 40-plus varieties, so plenty of choice even late in the season

A genuine full day out with rides, live entertainment, street food and evening dates

Well-organised timed entry with clear online booking makes planning easy

Trade-off: A ticketed festival, so busier and pricier than a simple pick-your-own field

Best for young children

Priory Farm Pumpkin Field

WATTB90/100

Why we recommend it

A friendly, transparently priced Surrey patch with just the right mix of picking and gentle extras for smaller children.

Gentle, well-judged extras (hay maze, marshmallows, tractor adventure) suit toddlers and young children

Transparent, clearly listed entry pricing (Pumpkin Field ~£6 online) with pumpkins charged separately

A farm shop and estate on site for an easy fuller day out

Trade-off: The pumpkin field is smaller than the big festival sites

Best in the Midlands

Cattows Farm

WATTB84/100

Why we recommend it

A long-running Leicestershire favourite with big, well-stocked fields right in the heart of the country.

Large, well-stocked pick-your-own fields with room to roam

Central Midlands location, easy to reach from Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham

Established family-run farm (since 1899) with shop and cafe on site

Trade-off: Event tickets are released close to the season, so you need to plan and watch for dates

Best value

Kenyon Hall Farm

WATTB88/100

Why we recommend it

A traditional, keenly priced pick-your-own where you pay a small entry and then just pay for the pumpkins you pick.

Excellent value: low £3.95 entry plus pumpkins from ~£2, priced by size

Traditional pay-for-what-you-pick feel with the focus firmly on the fields (20,000+ pumpkins, ~50 varieties)

Open daily through the season with a strong farm shop and cafe

Trade-off: Weekend dates sell out well in advance and booking is now essential

Best in Scotland

Craigie's Farm Pumpkin Festival

WATTB86/100

Why we recommend it

Scotland's standout patch, a short hop from Edinburgh with an excellent farm shop and views over the Forth.

The best-quality patch near Edinburgh, saving central-belt families a long journey

Award-winning farm shop, deli and cafe with views over the Firth of Forth

Flexible set-date, any-day and after-dark evening tickets for the October festival

Trade-off: Popular slots sell out fast and the Scottish season is short and weather-dependent

How we ranked this list

We assessed dozens of UK pick-your-own patches on field size and pumpkin variety, family facilities, value and accessibility, prioritising farms with historically reliable autumn seasons and transparent booking, and cross-checking opening details and pricing against each venue's own published information. UK pumpkin-patch dates and prices are not published centrally and change every year, so we give indicative figures and flag where a farm had not yet released its latest dates; always confirm on the farm's own website before you travel.

Read our full ranking method

Why you can trust WATTB

  • Independent & unbiased

    We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.

  • In-depth research

    Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.

  • Clear pros & cons

    Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.

  • Transparent sourcing

    We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.

Frequently asked questions

When do pumpkin patches open in the UK in 2026?

Most open from late September and run through October, with the busiest period being the October half-term, which for most of England falls in late October. Many patches close on or around the start of November, and popular weekend slots often sell out weeks in advance, so book as soon as dates are released.

Do you need to book pumpkin patches in advance?

Yes, almost all of the best UK patches now use timed, pre-booked online tickets, and several (including Kenyon Hall Farm) state that weekend dates sell out well ahead. Walk-up entry is increasingly limited or unavailable, so book before you travel rather than turning up on spec.

How much do pumpkins cost at a UK pick-your-own?

Entry and pumpkins are usually charged separately. Entry ranges from around £4 to £9 per person depending on the site, while pumpkins are priced by size, typically from about £2 for the smallest up to £10 or more for giants. All figures here are indicative, so check the specific patch's website before you go.

Are pumpkins included in the pumpkin patch entry price?

No, at almost every patch entry and pumpkins are charged separately. Your entry ticket (typically £4–9 per person) covers access, activities and photo spots, and you then pay for the pumpkins you pick, priced by size from around £2. Some farms, such as Kenyon Hall, also sell ready-picked pumpkins from the farm shop without an entry ticket if you only want the pumpkin itself.

What should you wear and bring to a pumpkin patch?

The fields get very muddy, so wellies or sturdy waterproof boots and warm, washable clothes are essential. Wheelbarrows are usually provided for carrying your haul, but bring a card or cash for pumpkins and treats, hand wipes, and check each farm's dog policy in advance if you want to bring a pet.

Can you take a dog or a pushchair to a pumpkin patch?

Policies vary, so check before you go. Some patches, such as Kenyon Hall Farm, do not allow dogs in the picking field except assistance dogs, while others are dog-friendly on a lead. Fields are grassy and often muddy, so a sturdy all-terrain pushchair copes far better than a lightweight buggy, and wellies are essential for everyone.

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