It’s pumpkin season, and PYO events are popping up everywhere
YORKSHIRE
Farmer Copleys in West Yorkshire promises to present the UK’s largest pumpkin festival, until Oct 31. There will be more than 120,000 pumpkins, warty and smooth, in a rainbow of red, green, white, blue, black, yellow, and, of course, orange. Farm shop and Moo Cafe. Ravensknowle Farm, Pontefract Road, Pontefract WF7 5AF; farmercopleys.co.uk
ESSEX
It’s free to visit the Foxes Farm Produce pumpkin patches and a number of pumpkin-tastic games will be on offer. There are two farms, near Basildon and Colchester (both are open during half term and other dates – check website).
Watch House Farm, Wash Road, Basildon SS15 4ER; foxesfarmproduce.co.uk
DEVON
Pumpkin Day at the Riverford Organic Farm is famed for its children’s activities, farm tours, pumpkin carving and seasonal food. This year, it falls on Sat Oct 26.
Riverford Organic, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0JU; riverford.co.uk
SHROPSHIRE
The Spookley Pumpkin Festival is coming to Apley Farm Shop Oct 12-31. For £2.50 you can pick from thousands of home-grown pumpkins, carve the spookiest of shapes, ride on the Pumpkin Express and try seasonal pumpkin dishes. It’s also a chance to explore the animal park or nature trail. Apley Farm Shop, Norton, Shifnal, TF11 9EF; apleyfarmshop.co.uk
SURREY
Crockford Bridge Farm near Weybridge is Surrey’s go-to destination for pumpkins. There’s also themed fun and games galore at the popular “I-Scream Parlour”, plus apple bobbing and face painting in the “Creepy Teepee”. Visit during the famous Pumpkin Weekend and book a ticket for the Wonder Wood immersive theatre during half term. Crockford Bridge Farm, New Haw Road, Addlestone, Weybridge KT15 2BU; crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk
LEICESTERSHIRE
Some 100,000 pumpkins will be ripe for picking at Cattows Farm, a 300-acre working farm in Leicestershire. You can pick your own through October; there’s an excellent tea room and a farm shop with fresh seasonal produce. Cattows Farm, Swepstone Road, Heather LE67 2RF; cattowsfarm. co.uk
WALES
The pumpkin patch at Brooksgrove Farm now offers thousands to pick, with no entrance fee. Simply turn up at the farm during opening hours (check the website). Brooksgrove Lane, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA61 1XR; brooksgrove.co.uk