Looking for the perfect pumpkin for your Halloween celebrations? Make it a day out for the whole family to enjoy. We’ve picked five of our favourite places to go looking for super Somerset squashes
Forde Abbey
There can be few settings quite as majestic and historic for pumpkin purchasing than the 900-year-old Forde Abbey near Chard, set within acres of award-winning gardens. Up to 1,000 pumpkins are grown in the Kitchen Garden which are then harvested and piled high next to the gift shop in readiness for the popular Pumpkin Rolling event, a hit with both children and grownups alike!
From 21 to 31 October, visitors are invited to select and purchase their chosen pumpkin, carry it to the top lawn in front of the Abbey and get rolling, before taking it home in readiness for Halloween.
To participate in the event, the usual Forde Abbey entry fee applies (£14.50 for adults and £5 for children aged five to 15 years). Pumpkins are then priced individually depending on their size. The Gardens, Coffee Shop, Gift Shop & Plant Nursery are all open to enjoy for a fun day out.
Palette and Pasture
Palette and Pasture is based at Pyle Farm, on the outskirts of Frome. This year’s Pumpkin Patch is bigger than ever: 12 acres planted with over 20 different varieties of pumpkin, squash & gourd.
Pumpkin picking will be open every Saturday and Sunday from the beginning of October, and then everyday from 21 to 29 October. Tickets are available from the website (paletteandpasture.co.uk) at £1 per person (over the age of three) which allows up to two hours in the dog friendly pumpkin patch, wheelbarrows to borrow and as many pumpkins to pick as you like. There is also a fun Bouncy Castle Inflatables Park, but whilst the pumpkin picking is an all-weather event, the inflatables are weather dependent.
For refreshments, the Palette and Pasture Ice Cream Parlour opening times correspond with the Pumpkin Patch, offering pickers ice cream, hot and cold drinks, including fancy hot chocolate, and homemade sausage rolls.
Thurloxton Farm
This 25-acre farm run by the Quick family, adjoins the A38 between Taunton and Bridgwater. Earlier in the season there was a Pick Your Own offering of strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, loganberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, rhubarb, broad beans and potatoes. But, throughout October, tickets are available for the Pumpkin Patch (available from thurloxton.com). Every pumpkin picker gets to take a wheelbarrow and choose their own prize pumpkin from the field. To get you in the Halloween mood, there’s a Spooky Walk and free fun and games for all ages, including the ‘Hit the Witch’ giant apple catapault.
If you can’t wait to start transforming your pumpkin ready for the big day, there is a barn available with all the tools provided so you can get carving – and leave the mess behind.
There will also be refreshments provided with hot and cold drinks, and seasonal food with plenty of sheltered seating available.
Farrington Farm
It’s time to dust off your wellies in preparation of the annual Pumpkin Picking Festival at Farrington's Farm in North Somerset. Grab a wheelbarrow ready to explore the 12-acre Pumpkin Patch, with varieties including the classic orange ‘Cinderella’ pumpkins, white ‘Ghost’, knobbly ‘Knucklehead’, tasty Crown Prince and lots more.
There is a large marquee available so you can get going with your spooky pumpkin carving. Meanwhile, Whinny the Witch of Farrington Gurney will be in the Witches Wood so there will be lots of toasting of marshmallows in her cauldron.
You can make it a full family day out at the North Somerset Farm which also has a play barn, a straw ‘pool’, tractor rides, a Farm Shop, an onsite Café, a fish and chip Shop and a pop-up funfair for October.
It’s not open for pumpkin picking every day so check the website and book a ticket first at farringtons.co.uk/pumpkin-festival
Frogmary Green Farm
Frogmary Green Farm, close to South Petherton, has been developed over the last twenty three years by Nick and Claire Bragg. With a vision based on respecting the environment and sustainable working, the farm now includes Frogmary Flowers florists, The White Barn wedding and events venue, a spa and the Farm & Field Café. There are also pretty gardens, lakes and an arboretum to explore.
If you need another reason to visit the farm this autumn, the Pumpkin Patch will be open for business in October from 9am to 4pm, but check the website for the opening dates (frogmarygreenfarm.co.uk). There’s no need to book and entry is free – you’ll only pay for the pumpkins you pick, ranging from £2 for a small pumpkin up to £5 for a large one. Well behaved dogs on leads are also welcome and the Farm & Field Café will be open for refreshments.
