Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival

Farmer Copleys near Pontefract is the closest the UK gets to an American-style pumpkin festival, and it is superbly run. The farm grows more than 300,000 pumpkins across over 40 varieties, so even at the busiest times there are plenty left to pick, sorted by size across sprawling fields. Beyond the picking there are tractor rides, fairground rides, live music, street food and a bar, plus photo installations that change year to year, and some evening dates run late for a lantern-lit atmosphere. It is a ticketed event rather than a quiet field, so expect crowds and a higher spend than a simple PYO, but the sheer scale, choice and quality of organisation earn it our top spot. It typically runs on selected dates from late September to around the start of November, but dates change each year, so check the farm's website and book early, as popular slots sell out weeks ahead.