One Halloween pastime that is ever growing in popularity in the UK, is pumpkin picking at proper pumpkin patches. And, fortunately for us, there are plenty to (quite literally) pick from in Bristol.
Some offer seemingly endless fields full of multitudes of different species/types of pumpkin – traditional orange, ghostly white, green, red, those warty types, big ones, small ones, weird and wonderful shaped ones – you name it, they’ve got it. Others make the whole experience of pumpkin picking a mammoth not-to-be-missed event, with live music, food and drink, a gift shop, and plenty of photo opportunities for Instagram.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest and best pumpkin patches in and around Bristol that we feel deserve a visit this spooky season.
Think we’ve missed one? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
Where: Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, BS31 1TP
When: September 28 – October 31, on selected dates
What: Avon Valley’s Pumpkin Patch has been dubbed ‘the biggest pumpkin extravaganza in the South West’, and will see Pumpkin Patch days and Night Picking events, the latter of which begin on October 4. This year’s Pumpkin Patch will play host to seasonal games like ‘Pumpkin Slingshot’, ‘Bottle Smash’, ‘Pumpkin Paintball’ and the much loved ‘Apple Cannon’.
There will be on-site entertainers, with a Lord and Lady Pumpkin to say hello to, as well as plenty of seasonal food and drink options – from doughnuts to loaded popcorn, and more. Visitors can pick their own pumpkins from the expansive pumpkin patches around the park.
There will be multiple species to choose from, including traditional field pumpkins and ghost pumpkins in the patch, to a selection of weird and wonderful shaped squashes and gourds in the market area. What’s more, there will be a shop selling a range of goodies, and plenty of Instagrammable areas where you can snap some artistic family photos.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary. You can select your ticket type and time slot here, where a discount for pre-booking online will be applied (there’s even a dog pass).
Read more: I tried picking pumpkins at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
The Picking Patch
Where: Glenavon Farm, Bath Road, Saltford, BS31 3TJ
When: October 5&6, 12&13, 19&20, 25-31
What: The Picking Patch at Glenavon Farm is renowned for the vast amount of different pumpkin varieties it has on offer. This year there are said to be some monster sized pumpkins to find, and more than 20 varieties of pumpkins to be picked in the fields – from the Polar Bear to the Goosebump, and even the ‘cute’ Casparita and Munchkins.
For 2024, the site will also feature a ‘Murder Mystery Maze’, DIY photo spots (including a pumpkin carriage, a giant handmade pumpkin scarecrow, Halloween themed dress up in the theatre, a genuine Witches’ house, and pumpkin houses). This year will also see Torchlight Pick Your Own Pumpkin sessions, and evening Mystery Maze sessions, on select dates.
And if all that wasn’t enough, there will be an escape room, arts and crafts workshops, and plenty of food at Flourish, on site.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary. Find out more here.
Farrington’s Farm
Where: Home Farm, Main Street, Farrington Gurney, BS39 6UB
When: October 5&6, 12&13, 19&20, 25&31
What: Farrington’s Pumpkin Picking Festival returns for 2024. The farm grows a variety of pumpkins, squash and gourds for visitors to hunt and gather with their wheelbarrows – from classic orange ‘Cinderella’ pumpkins, to white ‘ghosts’, knobbly ‘knuckleheads’, and more.
There will also be Farrington Gurney’s very own Whinny the Witch in the farm’s Witches Wood. You’ll be able to toast some marshmallows in her cauldron. There will also be a big carving marquee where you can carve your pumpkins.
There’s even a Straw Pool, where kids can play, a pop-up funfair with rides and games (from October 12), a playbarn, farm shop, butchery, deli and shopping village, too. What’s more, there’s plenty of places to grab a bite to eat.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary. Tickets include entrance to the Pumpkin Patch, displays, carving space, and parking. Everyone needs a ticket, except for under twos, on-duty carers, and dogs.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Where: Clevedon Road, Wraxall, BS48 1PG
When: October 1 – November 3
What: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm‘s Pumpkinfest returns for 2024, with a ‘family-friendly adventure filled with pumpkins, scavenger hunts, and the magic of nature’. Showing off their pumpkins (which were fertilised with elephant and rhino poo) Noah’s Ark will be welcoming visitors to explore the pumpkin patch with the whole family – including the dog.
There will be photo opportunities with selfie spots along the way, and you can find a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds, perfect for decorating, carving or cooking.
Tickets: At time of writing, there is a 20 per cent off day tickets promotion online – simply use code ’20OFF’ at the checkout when booking your tickets. Find out more, here.