The Best Places To Go Pumpkin Picking In Hertfordshire In 2023
Just as Halloween has become bigger and bigger in the UK over the years, so too has picking your own pumpkin. It’s growing popularity has meant more and more places to go pumpkin picking in Hertfordshire have been popping up.
Some of these Hertfordshire pumpkin patches have some great Halloween activities for kids going on in addition to the pumpkin picking so they make for a great day out.
We are lucky to have a fantastic PYO pumpkin farm close by to us and we visit every year for the most weird and wonderful pumpkins (because who wants a round orange pumpkin these days when there’s so much choice?!?).
Want to know what’s going on in Herts this Halloween? Here’s a great list of Halloween events in Hertfordshire to give you more options.
And if you’re looking for UK staycations this October half term, take a look at our guide to the best UK Halloween breaks for families.
Before you go grabbing your perfect pumpkin, here are some pumpkin picking tips that might come in handy..
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Tips for pumpkin picking in Hertfordshire…
- Don’t forget to take your wellies. These pumpkins fields will be muddy!
- Bring a large, heavy duty bag with you to carry your pumpkins back to the car.
- Make sure your phone is fully charged and take advantage of the photo opportunities.
- Look for firm pumpkins. You want them to last until Halloween.
- If you pick your pumpkins a couple of weeks before Halloween, store them in a cool, dry place and only carve shortly before Halloween.
- In almost all cases, tickets MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.
- Some of the Hertfordshire pumpkin patches will have pumpkin carving facilities onsite but if not, you might want to look at buying one of these pumpkin carving kits.
Now, grab your wheelbarrow and get pumpkin picking! These are the best pumpkin farms in Hertfordshire…
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Here’s where to go pumpkin picking in Hertfordshire in 2023..
The Pop Up Farm
Pumpkins are grown in a large field at the Pop Up Farm (also the site of the sunflower pop up farm in the summer) just off Junction 9 of the M1 close to St Albans.
The pumpkins and squashes are grown on the vine and there are plenty of varieties to choose from. There’s a helpful picture guide at the start explaining which pumpkins are good for carving and which ones are good for eating.
There’s a bale maze for the kids to play on before or after choosing their pumpkins and a snack van selling hot drinks and snacks.
There is plenty of parking and loads of wheelbarrows that you can borrow.
This is one of the closest pumpkin patches to London.
Where: M1, Junction 9, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 8HT.
When: 13th to 31st October 2023.
Tickets: £3.95 per person (under 2 free) + £0.25 booking fee.
Willows Activity Farm
Willows Farm is putting on lots of pumpkin themed activities in addition to the usual farmyard fun. Visit Gourds Grotto for the ultimate pumpkin Instagram shot (don’t forget to tag #willowsgourdsgrotto). Every child gets a free pumpkin to take home and carve.
It’s a great place for picking pumpkins in Hertfordshire if you’re looking for a full day out with the kids.
Where: Willows Farm, Coursers Road, London Colney, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF.
When: 14th October – 31st October 2023.
Tickets: £23.95 per person (Under 2 free but there is a £0.50 booking fee) – this includes entrance to Willows Farm (soft play may not be available).
Hitchin Lavender
Better known for its photogenic lavender fields in the summer months, Hitchin Lavender Farm (one of the best lavender fields in the UK) also offers pumpkin picking in the autumn. Tickets must be pre-booked.
Where: Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 3UA.
When: TBC.
Tickets: £2.50 per person (plus £0.19 booking fee), Under 2 FREE.
The Patch
The Patch offers pumpkin picking on a working farm. There will be a maize maze and refreshments available.
Where: The Patch, Hatch Lane, Weston, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 7EB.
When: October Half Term 2023.
Tickets: Tickets available to book soon. Entry and parking is free.
Rumbler’s Farm Shop
Rumbler’s Farm Shop is a small farm shop with a pumpkin patch where you can go and pick your own pumpkins.
Where: Rumbler’s Farm Shop, Potten End Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 3BN.
When: 14th to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: Free – no tickets required.
Foxholes Farm Shop
Foxholes Farm Shop is located in Hertford and as well as the farm shop, there is a farm park with a large collection of animals and play areas.
During October you can go and pick your own pumpkin, try out the spooky Halloween trail and enter the dressing up competition.
Where: Foxholes Farm Shop, London Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7NT.
When: October Half Term 2023.
Tickets: Adults – £4.50 / Child – £7.95.
Aldenham Country Park
Spook Fest takes place in Aldenham Country Park near Elstree. There are loads of things going on here besides the pumpkin patch. You can play pumpkin bingo, take a Halloween hay ride and explore the spooky shack.
Where: Aldenham Country Park Farm, Aldenham Country Park, Aldenham Road, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3BA.
When: 14th to 31st October 2023.
Tickets: £7.50 per person.
Windy’s Pumpkin Patch
Windy’s Pumpkin Patch is located on Windy Willows Christmas Tree Yard in Dunstable in Bedfordshire. They have a Halloween trail around the pumpkin patch where you choose your own pumpkin to carve.
Where: The Windy Willows Christmas Tree Yard, Osborne House, Sundon Road, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire LU5 5NP.
When: TBC.
Tickets: TBC.
See also things to do at Halloween in Bedfordshire for more Halloween days out.
Cammas Hall Farm
Although in Essex, it’s on here because it is right on the Hertfordshire/Essex border. Cammas Hall offers a ready picked pumpkin patch with Halloween decorations. Extra Halloween activities are available such as two maize mazes which are always fun!
See also best places to go fruit picking near London and Halloween events in Essex.
Where: Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak, Near Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7JT.
When: Select dates from 30th September to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: £2.25 per person (Under 1 free). £2.00 will be credited against the purchase of your pumpkin.
So these are the best places to go pumpkin picking in Hertfordshire..
Worth also mentioning is Hatter’s Farm in Essex as it is not far from the Hertfordshire border.
Hatter’s Farm
Hatter’s Farm is not too far from Hertfordshire and is a family run Pumpkin Patch in Essex with over 100,000 home-grown pumpkins across 50 varieties which can be picked from the field.
As well as pumpkins there is also a Pumpkin Cannon, Maize Maze, a hay bale kingdom and face painting. This year they will also be opening their spooky Pumpkin Nights event!
New for 2023 are live street actors and Hatter’s Fun House – a clown themed indoor maze which is included in your ticket!
Hot food and drinks are available.
Where: Hatter’s Farm, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, Essex, CM22 6NP.
When: Daytime pumpkin picking is open on the 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st-29th October. Pumpkin nights are open on the 21st-23rd, and 26th-29th of October 2023.
Tickets: Daytime pumpkin picking – £2-4 (under 2s go free). Evening pumpkin picking – £5 (under 2s go free).
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