Kent’s pumpkin patches: where to pick-your-own pumpkins this Halloween season
Published: 09:45, 09 October 2024
Halloween has become much more than just a seasonal holiday; these days, it’s a social media sensation, with hashtags like ‘autumn’ and ‘halloween’ racking up more than 100 million posts on Instagram.
This October, you can join the trend and snap that perfect selfie surrounded by gorgeous autumn colours at Kent’s must-visit pick-your-own pumpkin patches…
BROADDITCH FARM: Choose from thousands of pumpkins across a three-acre farm. Grab your wellies and explore the fields, filling your wheelbarrow as you go, with prices ranging from 50p to £7 per pumpkin. There are also pumpkin carving workshops and spooky trailer rides through the farm’s Freaky Forest.
Details: Broadditch Farm in Southfleet, near Gravesend, is open on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13; Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20; and from Thursday, October 24 to Thursday, October 31. Book online here.
ERRIOT WOOD: While this farm has been up and running for more than 75 years, the pumpkin patch is a relatively new addition. After making its successful debut last autumn, the pick-your-own patch has returned this year with lots of photo opportunities and a scarecrow hunt for the kids.
Details: Erriot Wood in Lynstead, near Sittingbourne, is open Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13; Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20; and from Saturday, October 226 to Thursday, October 31. Book online here.
FELDERLAND FARM: Have your pick of the patch at Felderland Farm, where there will be countless pumpkins and squash for you to take home with you. There will also be lots of activities for kids, including straw bales, a children’s playground, family photo opportunities and face painting on select dates.
Details: Felderland Farm in Sandwich is open from Saturday, October 19 to Thursday, October 31. Book online here.
FOUR WINDS FARM: This muddy countryside field will be filled with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes over Halloween, with prices starting from £2.50 per pick. Along with the pick-your-own patches, visitors can really make a day of it with the farm’s fun scarecrow trail, have-a-go pedal tractors, face painting and refreshments.
Details: Four Winds Farm in Bidborough, near Tunbridge Wells, is open on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20, then from Saturday, October 26 to Thursday, October 31. Book online here.
GROOMBRIDGE HILL: The five-acre patch is open for one day only, so make the most of it and pick as many pumpkins as you can. There’s no limit to how many you can take home with you and, with lots of different colours, shapes and sizes on offer, you can find a great variety for cooking and carving this autumn.
Details: Groombridge Hill in Tunbridge Wells is open on Saturday, October 5. Book online here.
HOATH FRUIT FARM: This pick-your-own farm is free to enter, so you can simply wander through fields of pumpkins, squashes and gourds, enjoying the views and snapping the perfect Instagram picture, if you fancy it. However, if you do want to pick up some fruit to take home, prices start from £1. There’s also a hay bale pyramid to keep the kids entertained.
Details: Hoath Fruit Farm in Canterbury is open on October 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 and during the half term from Thursday, October 24 to Thursday, October 31. No need to book.
LITTLE FANT FARM: Enjoy a variety of pick-your-own sessions with different fruits and vegetables, from late summer pears to autumnal pumpkins and squashes. The farm opens each weekend and, depending on what’s in season, you can choose from a variety of freshly grown produce and flowers. The pumpkins should be available from early October, although no official dates have been confirmed yet.
Details: Little Fant Farm in Maidstone is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. No need to book.
LOWER LADYSDEN FARM: It’s time to join the harvest as this award-winning farm shop opens up its pumpkin patch for the autumn. There are pumpkins and gourds that are perfect for carving into jack-o'-lanterns or turning into a pumpkin pie. There will also be experts on hand to tell you which ones are edible and which ones are best kept as decoration! On select dates, the farm also hosts Pumpkin Nights where visitors can explore the fields by torchlight for a creepy Halloween experience.
Details: Lower Ladysden Farm in Goudhurst is open on weekends from Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 27, then daily until Thursday, October 31. Book online here.
PUMPKIN MOON: The three pumpkin patches run by Pumpkin Moon are some of Kent’s busiest pick-your-own spots at this time of year. There are more than 100 varieties of pumpkins across the three sites in Maidstone, Rainham and Faversham, from traditional orange ones to weird and wonderful shapes. Fancy dress is encouraged so you and your kids can create that perfect family photo.
Details: The Faversham site opens on weekends from Saturday, 5 October. The Maidstone and Rainham sites open from Saturday, October 12. All three sites will be open on weekends until Sunday, October 20, then daily until Thursday, October 31. Book online here.
PYO PUMPKIN: When you’re hunting through the fields, make sure you keep an eye out for the gold and silver pumpkins - you could be in with a chance of winning a free wheelbarrow of pumpkins to take home! The farm will be decked out in Halloween theming to get you in the mood for the spooky season.
Details: PYO Pumpkin in Sevington, near Ashford, is open on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 and then daily from Saturday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 30. Book online here.
RIVERSIDE FARMERS: It’s one of Kent’s longest-running PYO pumpkin spots, having been a staple of the autumn months for 15 years. There are lots of different varieties and colours available, not to mention some fun family activities such as decorated photo stations and pumpkin carving.
Details: Riverside Farmers at Badgers Field in Hoo, near Rochester, is open on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13, then daily from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27 (excluding Wednesdays). Book online here.
SAFFERY FARM: This working farm is welcoming families this October under one condition - visitors should bring their wellies because it’s bound to be muddy. If you don’t mind getting a little messy, you can find pumpkins from £1 and enjoy beautiful Halloween banners, signs and scarecrows.
Details: Saffery Farm in Selling, near Faversham, is open from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27. No need to book.
STANHILL FARM: Since opening up to the public 11 years ago, this farm’s pumpkin patch has got bigger and better every year. This year, the farm will be adorned with vibrant orange colours, creative selfie stations, autumnal decoration and, of course, hundreds of pumpkins for you to pick and take home.
Details: Stanhill Farm in Dartford is open on weekends from Saturday, October 5 to Sunday, October 13, then daily from Wednesday, October 16 to Tuesday, October 29. Book online.