It is that time of the year where many of us are heading to random fields in the middle of nowhere to pick pumpkins. So, arranging a meet up with a friend who lives in Birmingham, I had a look at what came up between Bristol and the West Midlands city.
Cotswold Farm Park, owned by the BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, was the obvious choice. About an hour’s drive from Bristol, getting there was straight forward on the motorway and then through scenic roads.
Once we got there, the pumpkin patch was clearly signposted but we had to queue to get our wristbands to access the area. Having been to the excellent Farrington’s south of Bristol last year, which is massive, I have to confess I was a bit underwhelmed by this pumpkin patch.
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It felt quite small and, rather than doing much picking of your pumpkins, it felt a bunch had been dumped in the middle of a field. What is more, some had not even been taken out of their massive crates.
The experience itself felt geared towards getting some good pictures and there were plenty of other things for you to spend your money on, including several food and drink stalls. There was also the option to carve your pumpkin and have your face painted, among others.
However, the toddlers loved being wheeled around in the wheelbarrows and playing around trying to pick up pumpkins. Furthermore, we both felt that the pumpkins themselves were a good price; with both of us paying between £5 to £7 for four pumpkins each.
While we were both a bit disappointed by the pumpkin patch itself, we enjoyed the rest of the farm and it was a lovely afternoon out for children. There were a variety of animals as well as a couple of different playgrounds and sandpits; a particular highlight for my son was all the mini tractors and the bouncy pillows.
While I would not go back to the Cotswold Farm Park for its pumpkin patch, I would for the farm itself. It was a good day out with the kids, making the most of a dry autumn day.