Where to pick your own Halloween pumpkin
WITH the world in the grip of coronavirus, events have been cancelled left, right and centre.
Many of our much-loved summer activities were a no-go, and now we are faced with cancelled fireworks events next month.
But, it seems that Halloween is still happening – which the kids are sure to love.
Trick or treating may look a little different this year but families can still pick their pumpkins from patches across Burton and South Derbyshire ahead of October 31.
It is easy to grab a pumpkin from your local supermarket but with local businesses and farms feeling the brunt of the virus this year, families are opting to shop locally and head to their local pumpkin patch – and besides it’s much more fun to select your own from the pumpkin patch.
Many pumpkin picking venues even provide little trollies for the young ones to stack up their orange collections as they can weight on the large side. So why not take in the fresh air, pick your own and then have fun with the children carving it at home. If if you are knocking trick or treating on the head, this will be brilliant fun.
With the October 31 Halloween date fast approaching, here are a few locations nearby where you can pick your own.
Please bear in mind Covid-19 restrictions may apply and if you go trick or treating stay safe.
SNARESTONE PUMPKIN FARM
The pumpkin farm, at Lodge Farm,
Measham Road, Snarestone, officially opened on Saturday, October 17.
There is no need to book and well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
There will be a decorating in the venue’s shed, with a few surprises too, the owners say.
However, the farm is not a pick your own and charges are based on pumpkin size, not weight.
Covid rules apply with face masks and social distancing required.
It is open 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and from 8.30am to 12.30pm on Sundays.
GARDEN KING
More pumpkins have just arrived at the pumpkin wood at the garden centre, in Park Road, Newhall.
It is free to enter and walk round, and there is free find the animal activities for children.
Customers are required to pay for any pumpkins they pick at £1.20 per kg. Dogs are welcome and no booking is required.
It is open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4.30pm Sunday.
NATIONAL FOREST ADVENTURE FARM
This is a pre-booked day of fun for families attending the popular attraction in Tatenhill.
There will be all the fun of the farm, plus a day packed with spooky Halloween fun.
The open areas include the outdoor adventure play, animal barn, animal paddocks, Maize Maze, and chippy and grill.
The indoor play and indoor restaurant are closed.
During the four-hour session, families can take the pumpkin wagon tractor ride to the pumpkin patch and pick their own for free, and it’s one pumpkin per child, subject to availability.
There will also be broomstick training and cauldron chaos, mummy maze and a haunted mirror maze.
Sessions are available on October 10 and 11, 17 and 18, and from 21 to 31, and November 1.
Sessions are from 9am to 1pm, and from 2pm to 6pm and must be booked online at www.adventure farm.co.uk/
Rule of six applies.
SCADDOWS FARM
The farm, in Scaddows Lane, Ticknall, opened its doors on Saturday, October 17, with a new spooky trick or treat trail.
The trail is a little adventurous this year with rough ground and a few hills, so visitors are asked to wear appropriate warm clothes and sturdy footwear.
Sledges are available to borrow for pumpkin picking, and bosses recommend you bring strong bags for life or bin bi bags to carry your pump pumpkins in.
No dogs will be allow allowed and face masks mu must be worn in the sho shop when paying for pum pumpkins.
C Card payments wh where possible and ther there are no toilets avail available on site due to Covid Covid.
Open Opening hours will be from 10a 10am to 5pm and no booking is required
CATTOWS FARM
The farm farm, in Swepston Road, Heather, near Measham, will have more than 170,000 pumpkins, squashes and ornamental gourds for visitors to choose from.
The selection includes many different varieties, such as our warty Goosebumps pumpkins, the white varieties called snowman, snowball and ghost and the ever popular mini Munchkins. There will be 40 different varieties growing in 2020.
There will be lots of activities also available.
The farm is open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week, and there is no need to book.
HEATHS FARM SHOP AND NURSERY
The farm, in Ashby Road, Woodhouses, Melbourne, has cancelled its usual pumpkin event but has instead opened up its pumpkin patch to customers to pick their own pumpkins.
All pumpkins will be weighed and charged for in the farm shop.
The patch is open from 10am to 4pm except Tuesdays.