Halloween is drawing near and farms across Cumbria have opened their pumpkin patches for the season.
There are several places to take part in pumpkin picking across the county that offer both family friendly days out and trips suitable for couples or friend groups.
Autumnal activities like pumpkin patches are often set up as diversification projects for working farms to help them bring in money in new ways – so visiting one with friends and family is a good chance to show support for local farmers.
So in the spirit of the season, we’ve put together a list of pumpkin patches you can visit in Cumbria this year.
This list is written in no particular order. Think we’ve missed a great pumpkin patch? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected]!
Stephney Farm Pumpkin Patch, Seascale
This family-run pumpkin patch is returning for its third year and last minute tickets are still available ahead of Halloween.
Alongside pumpkin picking, food stalls, autumnal drinks, sweets, snacks, face painting, glitter tattoos and hair braiding will go ahead.
This year, children’s entertainment including a magic show is also taking place and Pet Encounter are also attending with animals for people to meet.
A barrel train will also be on site to take up to 10 children on tours of the farm at a time. Bouncy castles are also up and a toddler play area has been set up in the barn.
Children will also be able to take part in Halloween crafts and activities and photo opportunities and backdrops will be set up for visitors. Extra seating and shelter are also on site alongside an animal barn.
Time slot tickets for visiting the patch must be booked online by visiting the farm’s Facebook page.
Remaining dates include October 18,19, 25, 26, and 27.
Stephney Farm is a working farm and their annual pumpkin patch is a diversification project.
Walby Farm Park, Carlisle
Based just outside of Carlisle, the park’s four acre pumpkin patch is both family friendly and suitable for groups of adults too.
During the day – every paying child gets to enjoy the wider farm park and choose a free pumpkin from the eight varieties grown on site.
Activities on site include a spooky interactive disco show, pumpkin carving on site, photo opportunities and a corn and pumpkin canon.
This year, the farm has also set up s’mores and marshmallow roasting pits for visitors to enjoy.
The farm’s on site café will also be serving Halloween themed treats.
The patch is open every day until October 31 and throughout the half term. Extra pumpkins can be bought on site.
On Saturday October 18 and Saturday October 25, families will also be able to take part in a family friendly pumpkin picking after dark event, taking place from 6.30pm until 10pm.
But it’s not just suitable for families – the farm park has brought back its popular event for adults – Pumpkin Picking After Dark.
From 6.30pm to 10pm on Friday October 17 and Friday October 24, attendees can explore the illuminated Pumpkin Patch in a mini pumpkin festival tailored for grown-ups.
Attendees are also allowed to enjoy the adventure play barn, milecastle and animal barn – as well as picking out some pumpkins.
Visitors can can bring friends, partners, or visit in groups and enjoy live music, Halloween themed food and drinks, s’mores and marshmallow roasting,
Tickets must be booked in advance through the Walby Farm Park website.
Lakeland Maze Pumpkin Patch, Kendal
The Lakeland Maze pumpkin patch is open this weekend from Saturday October 18 and Sunday October 19 and every day throughout the October half term week.
All pumpkins are grown on site at the farm and visitors can choose from a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
Pumpkin carving is also taking place on site and photo opportunities have been set up on site.
Those wishing to access the pumpkin patch must buy a farm park ticket. Tickets are available to be booked online.
Alongside access to the pumpkin patch, families can also access the rest of the farm, including a soft play, cresta run, air bouncers, a mega slide and tractor rides.
Animal activities, go-karts, inflatables, a panel maze, tunnel maze, under three’s room, mini golf, climbing wall, sandpit, swings, gift shop and café are also on site.
All pumpkins are individually priced based on their weight and size.
Red’s Pumpkin Patch, Langwathyby
Owned by well-known farmer Hannah Jackson – better known as the Red Shepherdess – Red’s Pumpkin Patch is open Sunday October 19, and Saturday October 25 and Sunday October 26 from 10am until 3pm – with half term dates dependent on stock.
This year marks the fourth year in a row the patch has been open to the public.
Visitors are encouraged to check Hannah’s Instagram to keep up with patch updates and no booking is required.
Entry is free and parking is free, pumpkins can be bought on site.
A maize maze is also on site for families to enjoy. Entry costs £4 for those buying a pumpkin and £6 per person without a pumpkin.
Two adults and two children cost £15 per ticket and under two’s go free.
The maize maze is open on Sunday October 19 and Saturday October 25 and Sunday October 26.
Once the maze closes, the maize is then used to feed cattle on the farm.
The patch is cash only due to poor signal in the area and hot drinks, sweets and food will be available.
Money raised at the patch goes towards the Great North Air Ambulance.
The Milk Hut, Ulverston
The Milk Hut in Ulverston is set to open its pumpkin patch on Friday October 24 at 3.30pm and will remain open until the following Friday.
Visitors will be able to purchase milk, milkshakes, hot drinks, cakes and of course, pumpkins.
A pizza van will also be on site alongside photo opportunities for families.
There is no ticket cost or parking cost on site, pumpkins will be individually priced. Two charity wells will also be open for donations on site.
The Milk Hut is part of High Roosebeck Farm.
Greystoke Castle Pumpkin Picking, Greystoke, Penrith
Greystoke Castle is hosting its second pumpkin picking experience this year and will run every Wednesday to Sunday day until Friday October 31.
Open from 11am until 4pm, entry costs £10 per child and includes a pumpkin, entry to the gardens and entry to the castle’s little knights and princesses play area.
A new dungeon bar is open this year as well as a coffee shop and ice cream parlour in the courtyard alongside a large open fire. Photo opportunities are also set up on site.
