Pumpkin picking might be a Halloween activity you associated with American movies, but there's been a distinct rise in pumpkin picking farms in the UK - particularly the South West.
Farming is at the heart of the West Country, but while the South West has more cattle, calves, sheep and lambs than any other region – many farms have been diversifying their land through sunflowers and pumpkin picking.
No longer do we have to rely on the supermarket shelves, instead picking them straight from the vine and supporting local farmers instead.
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Pumpkin picking at Overfarm Market, Gloucester
Pumpkin picking at Overfarm Market, Gloucester
Gloucester Pumpkin Picking
Over Farm Market
The Overfarm Market pumpkin field is filled to the brim of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes! Grab a wheelbarrow and pick your best - round or oval - you decide. Many are cut ready to be picked up, but if you spot one hiding away the team will cut it for you. Tickets are booked in advance with pumpkins priced from £1 to £6 depending on the hole it fits into. There's a watering station to clean off the pumpkins before loading up the car.
I was kindly gifted a visit to the farm with a pumpkin, however, no money was exchanged and all views expressed are my own.
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Cheltenham Pumpkin Picking
Primrose Vale Farm
A very understated field, Primrose Vale Farm is filled with some fifteen crops available for picking from May to October - including strawberries, pumpkins, apples and even some vegetables too! Booking is required however tickets are free of charge and release daily at 5pm for the following day.
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Cotswold Farm Park
Made famous through its owner BBC Countryfile Presenter Adam Hanson, Cotswold Farm Park is one to watch for year-round activities such as its sunflower fields as well as the pumpkin field. Available from 3rd to 31st October, a farm park admission ticket includes entry and one pumpkin token however there is an option to just visit the pumpkin field.
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Ledbury Pumpkin Picking
Country Pumpkins
Country Pumpkins are a prime example of a local farm who has diversified the use of their land, by celebrating their nearly 40 years of farming by introducing pumpkins! In 2020, the opened from Monday 19th October to Sunday 1st November and while entry to the pumpkin picking field is free, you do need to book a timed slot online.
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Bristol Pumpkin Picking
Avon Valley Wildlife and Adventure Park
Throughout October, Avon Valley is hosted its Pumpkin patch days and nights with a golden pumpkin hidden with a prize for the finder. The patch also includes fair rides, Pumpkin Paintball, Pumpkin Slingshot and more, with a variety of food vendors on site.
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Noah's Ark Zoo
From Saturday 24th October - Sunday 1st November, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm'S Pumpkin Fest returns, featuring a Pumpkin Mystery trail with the chance to win a family ticket for four and an adoption.
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Triggols Farm
Triggols Farm is a true family-run farm specialising in growing pumpkins for October and selling locally grown Christmas Trees in December. There's no need to book but there may be a short queue as they adhere to social distancing guidelines. The farm opens on 10th October 2020.
