The Best Places To Go Pumpkin Picking In Dorset In 2024
With Halloween becoming such a big holiday in the UK, it is no surprise that more and more places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset are popping up!
Visiting a pumpkin farm has become so popular in recent years. It’s no wonder really when some of the pumpkin farms in Dorset go all out and offer lots of other Halloween events on for kids too.
We love visiting pumpkin patches as it can be a really fun and relatively inexpensive day out during half term (unless you decide to pick ALL the heaviest pumpkins)!
This guide gives you information on the best places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset to find your perfect pumpkin.
Not all of the 2024 Dorset pumpkin picking dates have been released yet so keep an eye open and check back as we will be updating them when they are released.
Before you read about the best places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset, we should just mention that there are a few tips at the end of the post that will come in handy when visiting a pumpkin patch in Dorset.
Or you can read this post which includes all of our tips to pick the perfect pumpkin.
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Before we list the best places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset, have you got your pumpkin carving kit?.
Pumpkin picking in Dorset
Dorset Country Pumpkins
The Miller family have been farming for four generations at Longclose Farm but have only been growing pumpkins in Dorset since 2020.
There are lots of lovely Halloween decorations and photo props onsite as well as a good selection of food stalls.
During the second weekend there is a fun craft fair.
The most up to date information will be found on their Facebook page.
Where: Dorset Country Pumpkins, Milton Abbas, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0BB.
When: Opens Saturday 14th October (to 29th October 2023).
Tickets: Free entry and free parking.
Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins
Bincombe Bumps Pick Your Own Pumpkins is a large PYO farm in Dorset offering a haunted house, trick or treating and many more Halloween activities.
Pumpkins are priced from £3.00 to £10.50.
During the summer they also have a fun maize maze.
Where: Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins, West Farm, Bincombe, Dorset, DT3 5PT.
When: 7th to 28th October 2023.
Tickets: No pre-booking required and free entry.
Farmer Palmers
Farmer Palmers has everything you could possibly need for a fun Halloween day out. As well as the pumpkin patch with mini wheelbarrows and photo props and a spooky tractor rides, you can spend the rest of the day visiting the farm.
There are farm animals and play areas and even a dinosaur trail.
There is also a huge dining area in the Hen House with lots of family-friendly options.
Where: Farmer Palmer’s, Wareham Rd, Organford, Poole, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU.
When: During October half term.
Tickets: The half term Halloween ticket is a bolt on to the normal admission. All day session is £17.00 per person. 2 year olds are £8.50 and under 2 are FREE.
The Cat and Fiddle Farm & Café
The Cat and the Fiddle Farm is located on the edge of the New Forest and grows 20 varieties of fruit and vegetables.
This is a working farm and so dogs are not allowed.
Where: Cat and Fiddle Farm, Lyndhurst Rd, Dorset, BH23 7DS.
When: Pumpkin picking now open.
Tickets: Entry is free.
Sopley Farm
Sopley Farm is operated by the same company as the Cat and the Fiddle Farm. It also lies on the edge of the New Forest.
It is a standard pick your own farm and as above, no dogs are allowed.
Where: Sopley Farm, Derritt Ln, Sopley, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 7AZ.
When: Pumpkins are now available.
Tickets: Entry is free.
Fordingbridge Pumpkin Patch
The Fordingbridge pumpkin patch is in Hampshire but as it is right on the border with Dorset, we have included it.
See here for other pumpkin patches in Hampshire.
It has loads to offer besides its pumpkins!
There is a Halloween Trail, giant games, tractor rides and you can get involved in some lovely pumpkin crafts.
There is also a good selection of food stalls so you can really make it a fun family day out.
They also put on a firework display. The most up to date information will be found on their Facebook page.
Where: Fordingbridge Pumpkin Pastures, Ringwood Rd, Slip Road, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1AN.
When: 14th to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: Free to visit and free parking. Pumpkins start at £1.00.
If you are looking to stay somewhere in the area, we recommend Sandy Balls Holiday Village which is almost next door. You can find out more about it in our post on places like Center Parcs in the UK.
It has some really fun Halloween activities during the October half term and is a great place for a family Halloween holiday.
Other pumpkin patches in Dorset
Some other places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset are:
So these are the best places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset. Do you have any places to go pumpkin picking in Dorset that you would like to recommend? Let us know! we’d love to hear from you.
Tips to make the most of your pumpkin picking in Dorset
- The pumpkins are grown (or are laid out) in fields. If you’re visiting these Dorset pumpkin fields on a wet day or it has previously been raining, the pumpkin patches will be muddy. It is usually always best to wear wellies or other suitable footwear for this family-friendly day out.
- PYO pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. Some are better for eating than others and the farm should be able to tell you which ones these are. See here for zero waste pumpkin ideas.
- The majority of farms will sell pumpkins by weight or size. Check the price per kg before letting the kids choose the largest, heaviest pumpkin as the cost will soon add up!
- Avoid pumpkins with soft spots or cuts as this signals a rotting pumpkin. It won’t last long at all when carved. Pumpkins should be firm.
- Heavier pumpkins mean denser walls which are best for carving.
- Many of these pumpkin farms in Dorset have wheelbarrows which you may or may not need to pay a deposit for. If they don’t have wheelbarrows, you should consider taking a sturdy bag.
- Don’t carry the pumpkin by the stalk as it may snap off and your pumpkin will get damaged.
- Some of these PYO pumpkin farms in Dorset will have carving facilities onsite. If they don’t, you might want to look into getting one of these pumpkin carving kits.
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