Here’s a look at some of the best places to grab your pumpkin, ranging from pick-your-own patches to farm shops where you can find a selection of pre-picked fruit – all perfect to turn into a homemade jack-o’lantern.
Please confirm opening dates and times with your chosen site before making a special trip, as these are subject to change for various reasons, including weather conditions. Some sites also require booking in advance.
This north Norfolk attraction isn’t just a pumpkin patch, but practically a day out in its own right. Its centrepiece is a handmade wooden house decorated with over 1,000 pumpkins, created by husband-and-wife team Henry and Victoria Cushing on their family farm. Their range includes weird and wonderful varieties of gourds and squashes. Every pumpkin comes with a free leaflet telling you how to carve it, cook it and grow your own. Wheelbarrows are available to choose your pumpkin.
There will also be pumpkin totem poles, a pumpkin arch and activities including a mini house for little witches and wizards, hay bale towers to climb, and a wooded walk and Maize Maze - full of spooky trails covering six acres. On certain days there will be face painting and wood fired pizza. There is a large covered marquee to shelter under if the weather is bad, but wellies are advised.
Brookhill Farm, Fakenham Road, Thursford, NR21 0BD
Opening days: October 5-6, 12-13,19-20 and daily from 24- 31, 10am to 4pm. (Fancy dress competition at 11am on October 31.) You can book in advance online.
This farm launched its own huge pick-your-own pumpkin field last year, run by Melton Harrold with help from his daughter Sammy. There will be thousands of the iconic fruits to choose from, with more than 20 different varieties. The farm has wheelbarrows so you can pick your own pumpkin or select from the displays. There will also be photo opportunities and refreshments, including The Nest, serving hot and cold drinks, bubble waffles and cakes.
Church Farm, Ringstead Road, Heacham, PE31 7JB
Opening days: October 13 to 31, 10am to 4pm.
The Pulham Patch, Pulham Market
Pick your own pumpkins at this farm just off the A140, which is opening up its patch for the second year over autumn half term. There are eight varieties of pumpkins to choose from, with ride-on tractors, tractor tyre farm animals and a bale mountain. Carving sets are available, and there will be a barbecue at the weekends. Katherine’s Kitchen is available every day. You can pre-book or pay on the gate.
Bungalow Farm, Wood Lane, Pulham Market, Diss, IP21 4XU
Opening days: Every weekend in October and daily from October 28 to 31, 10am to 4.30pm.
You can pick your own pumpkin from the patch, navigate the maze and have fun this October at this fun park, based on a working farm. In addition to the pumpkins and Halloween-themed entertainment, the park’s attractions include a barrel train, bale mountain, zipwire, soft play, bouncy castles, go-karting, rope pyramid and trampolines.
Hirsty’s Family Fun Park, Yarmouth Road, Hemsby, NR29 4NL
Opening days: October 19-20 and daily from October 25 to November 3, 10am to 4pm. You can book in advance online.
The Tacons, Great Yarmouth
This popular farm shop, which sells fruit and veg straight from the field, is doing PYO pumpkins again this year. Wheelbarrows are provided to pick your own pumpkin. Dogs are welcome. Details of additional activities will be on the shop’s Facebook page nearer the time.
The Tacons, The Grange, Rollesby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 5AJ
Opening days: Daily from October 19, 10am to 4pm.
This award-winning farm shop and butchery on the edge of Norwich is preparing to open up its pumpkin patch once again this year. It expects to open from early October, but dates tend to follow the weather conditions and had not yet been confirmed at the time of going to press. The White House Farm café is always in full swing at Halloween, with many a pumpkin spiced latte on offer!
White House Farm Shop and Café, Wroxham Road, Rackheath, Norwich, NR13 6LB
Opening days: To be confirmed, expected to be from early October.
Hill Farm Farm Shop, Horstead
Hill Farm is known for its amazing variety of pumpkins, and has been keeping customers informed about how the fruit are growing via its Facebook page. Entry to the pumpkin field is free. No animals are allowed on the field and last admittance is half an hour before closing time.
Hills Farm Farm Shop, Norwich Road, Horstead, Norwich, NR12 7BA
Opening days: October 1-5, 9-12 and 20, 10am-4 pm; October 6 and 13, 10am-3pm; October 14-19 and 21-31, 10am-5pm. Closed October 7 and 8.
Search for Hill Farm Farm Shop on Facebook.
Rookery Meadows, Great Ellingham, Attleborough
A popular choice with families, this pumpkin patch is known for its range of fun activities, such as the spooky wood, carving and craft area and food stalls. This year’s dates had not yet been finalised at the time of going to press, but it was expected to open for the two weekends before half term, October 12-13 and 19-20, and during half term up to Halloween, from October 26th through to 31.
Rookery Meadows, Rookery Farm, Great Ellingham, Attleborough NR17 1LB
Opening days: To be confirmed.
Since opening in 2021, this popular pumpkin patch has built up a huge following. It has plenty of activities to keep children and families entertained such as a straw pyramid, barrel train and craft tent, and will also have some more exciting additions this year. No booking is needed.
Mrs G’s Pumpkin Patch, Garboldisham, near Diss, IP22 2SJ
Opening days: October 19 to 31
Ha Ha Farm, Strumpshaw
You can choose from more than 30 different varieties of pumpkin at Ha Ha Farm, which is always very popular. There are loads of attractions, including a woodland trail, spooky salon, a ghostly scavenger hunt, crafts and cookie decorating. There will also be an area in the barn for fun with face paint and glitter. There will be lots of foot available, with different vendors coming along at different times, including vegan and gluten-free options. Live music is also planned on some weekends.
Ha Ha Farm, Hemblington Road, Strumpshaw, NR13 4AH
Opening days: October 12 to 31 (but may stay open longer), 10am to 4pm daily.
Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Reedham
Over autumn half term, Pettitts is once again holding its annual pumpkin pickin’ event, with admission included in entry to the park. Children will be able to pick a pumpkin from the park’s own patch, using a wheelbarrow, and take it to a carving area to carve a scary face.
Pettitts Animal Adventure Park, Church Road, Reedham, NR13 3UA
Opening days: From October 25 to November 3
Undley Farm Events
Every year, Undley Farm Events launches a new custom-designed maize maze for the Halloween period. Although just over the Suffolk border, it always attracts many visitors from Norfolk. Visitors can pick their pumpkin straight from the vines, with thousands of pumpkins available and approximately 25 varieties, ranging from small to huge. Other attractions include pumpkin carving demonstrations and a straw bale pyramid. There will also be Halloween-themed inflatables again this year, including a witch’s hat, giant pumpkin and farm assault course, as well as Halloween stalls and refreshments. Book your tickets in advance.
Undley Farm Events, Beck Row, Lakenheath, IP28 8BX
Opening days: October 5-31, open at weekends and during school holidays,
PYO pumpkins will be available all month at Algy’s. At weekends and half term there will be hot food, including pizzas, hot dogs and bacon rolls, with hot and cold drinks and snacks available daily, Dogs on leads are welcome, as long as owners clear up after them.
Algy’s Farm Shop, just off the A1067, Bintree, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 5PW
Opening days: October 1-31, Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
Wroxham Barns Pumpkin Patch
This year, Wroxham Barns is opening up its pumpkin patch to everyone at weekends. Arts and crafts will be available, with a carving area and photo opportunities. You can grab a wheelbarrow and choose from thousands of pumpkins of different sizes. There will be food and drink, lot of fun photo opps and optional arts and crafts. Wroxham Barns is also offering a new ‘Get Me Out of Here’ half term event, with booking now open, putting a twist on ‘I’m a Celeb’ for kids. It will feature creepy crawly, spooky maize maze, critter handling, bush tucker trials and plenty of hands-on activities for a full day out.
Tunstead Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8QU
Opening days: October 12-13 and then each weekend subject to availability. Half-term event from October 25 to November 3.
wroxhambarns.co.uk
Frog's Farm Pumpkin Patch
This popular patch is on the A140, located close to Diss, just over the border in Suffolk. It grows over 20 different varieties of pumpkins and the owners only grow edible pumpkin and squash, so your Halloween can be filled with edible treats too. The fruits vary from tiny little munchkins and stripey harlequins to Atlantic Giants. The patch has a different theme each year.
Frog’s Farm, Thwaite, IP23 7ED
Opening days: To be announced.
frogsfarm.co.uk
This article first appeared in Norfolk magazine. To subscribe visit:https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/subscribe/norfolk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel