The nights are drawing in and the air is becoming frigid, which can mean only one thing – it’s finally the most wonderful time of the year! Now I may be biased, but I find Autumn to be a spectacular time of year, what with it’s beautiful foliage in all shades of colours and the snacks that come along with it.
What really tips Autumn in my favour however, is the ability to engage with the great outdoors. Sure there might be rain and gloomy days, but that makes it all the more fun for me to get out there and explore.
One of my favourite Autumn pastimes is trundling my way through pumpkin patches. Not only does it make for a wonderfully rustic (and Insta-worthy!) day, but you get a pleasant pumpkin at the end of it, one that you can truly call your own! Sure, supermarkets are better stocked than ever before, but nothing quite beats the feeling of getting down in the muck and wrangling up your own warty pumpkin. And you won’t find gnarled or ghostly white pumpkins in the shops now will you.
Does this description entice you? I hope so! If you have now caught the pumpkin-picking-fever and wish to snag this quintessential symbol of Autumn, you’re in luck. Read on to learn about 6 of the best pumpkin patches the North East has on offer. We also have some blog posts detailing other fab pumpkin patches in the North and North West.
So get your wellies on and let’s go!
Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth
Photo Credits: Whitehouse Farm
Join the team of monsters over at Whitehouse Farm for utterly haunting day! During the Halloween Spooktacular event, your little ghouls can muddy their boots searching for their new carving victim in the large pumpkin patch before barrelling off to enjoy a great array of fiendish festivities.
Pre-booking is essential, and you can do so here. Adult tickets cost £11.75 and children’s tickets cost £11.45, though be sure to check their website as they have numerous bundle deals and deals for carers. What’s more, fee paying children are entitled to one free pumpkin of their choice – so you can never leave disappointed!
Activities on offer
There is plenty for you to sink your (fanged) teeth into! If you dare, wander through the Walkway of Terror, through the Spiders Lair, the Catacombs and more – though be prepared for some spooks along the way. Weary ghouls can hang out with the spirits at the Grave Yard, though if that’s not to your fancy, there’s plenty of things to get up to with the living. From cuddling critters in the Petting Barn and facing the fearsome Falconry, there’s truly something for everyone. Young witches and wizards can hone their magic skills with the help of Merlin at his Spooktacular Magic Show. Be sure to come dressed in your most frightening fancy dress to have the chance to win some petrifying prizes!
Opening times
The Halloween Spooktacular event is running the 16th & 17th of October. The event will then run continually from the 23rd to the 31st. During these times, you can enjoy the pumpkin patch and various activities described above. The event will be open from 10am until 5pm.
Where to find them
North Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6AW. You can checkout their website here or give them a call at 01670 789998.
Adventure Valley, Durham
Revel in the Halloween festivities at Adventure Valley at their very own Pumpkin Festival! Marvel at how Adventure Valley transforms itself from a beloved amusement park into a spookish spot for some frightfully good fun.
Pre-booking is essential. You can swipe up some tickets here. Prices range from £9.95 to £13.95 and children’s’ tickets include one free pumpkin!
Activities on offer
Once you’ve had your pick of pumpkins from the indoor patch, you can head over to the carving area with it’s very own helpers! Here you can carve up the perfect pumpkin for Halloween day, without the worry of cleaning up your mess afterwards. Practise your aim with the Corn Cob Catapult – we wonder how many targets you’ll hit! Creep your way through the Halloween Trail (if you dare) and solve the Ghastly Ghost Hunt to win some rancid rewards. Numerous shows are also scheduled for the Pumpkin Festival, though these are yet to be confirmed. If you fancy, you can also enjoy the typical farm fun of Adventure Valley by clambering through over 18,000 sq feet of indoor play space or brave all manner of blood-curdling beasts in the petting and feeding area.
Opening times
The Pumpkin Festival is open between October 16th and 17th, as well as from the 23rd to the 31st. Entry starts at 10am and last entry is at 2pm.
Where to find them
Adventure Valley, Union Hall Farm, Brasside, Durham, DH1 5SG. You can find their website here or give them a call at 01913 868291.
Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester
Photo Credits: Hall Hill Farm
Slither your way through this award-winning farm and be prepared for a scare or two! Hall Hill Farm typically offers a wide range of activities and petting opportunities and this Halloween season is no exception. With so much to do and spine-chilling Halloween hay bales, Hall Hill Farm makes for a fangtastic day out.
Pre-booking is essential. Tickets have not yet been released, but they should be by early October. Make sure to regularly check their website here for updates.
Activities on offer
Apart from a pumpkin patch, complete with its own carving zone, little beasties can weave their way through Mini Monster Mazes or barrel their way through Haunted Sheep Races. Pose with monstrous scarecrows or throw your hands up on the Spooky Spider Barrel Ride for a truly ghoulish day. Be sure to bring extra bags as you might find some terrifying treats in the Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt. After enjoying all this Halloween fun, you can head to the peculiar petting area and meet various curious creatures. With all this and much more in store, a trip to Hall Hill Farm this Autumn is a must!
Opening times
Specific opening hours have not yet been shared. However, the farm will be open from the 16th to 17th of October, as well from the 23rd to the 31st.
Where to find them
East Grange Farm, Durham
Photo Credits: East Grange Farm
Come Autumn time, you can wander through vast pumpkin patches, brimming with a wide array of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. In fact, there are over 8 acres of prime pumpkin real-estate for you to forage through, including over 20,000 pumpkins of 17 different varieties, so you’ll be sure to leave handfuls of great finds! While hunting for your perfect pumpkin pal, be sure to snap some shots of the quaint fields and Halloween décor.
There are no entrance fees and parking is also free. However, pre-booked tickets cost £5 per vehicle. Importantly, this £5 serves as a voucher and is redeemed from your pumpkin purchases. Walk-in tickets are also available.
You only pay for the pumpkins you pick, with prices starting from £1 and going up to £12 for monster pumpkins. However, pre-booking is still essential, which you can sort out here. One household visiting in one car should book only one ticket. There are toilets available on site, as well as disabled access toilets and baby changing facilities.
Activities on offer
You can roll your pumpkins through the fields with the handy help of wheelbarrows and pose against various displays for some lovely photos to create lasting memories for you and your family. Refreshments are also available, with a selection of hot food and drink. After muddying your boots and filling your belly, little monsters can also hop on some fairground rides or simply peruse their stalls to buy some Halloween delights.
Opening times
You can enjoy the Halloween festivities from October 15th to the 24th. The pumpkin patch is open from 9:30am until 4pm.
Be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook, where they will post updates about when the next batch of tickets for the 25th through to the 31st will be released.
Where to find them
East Grange Farm, High Shincliffe, Durham, DH1 2TB. You can checkout their website here or call them at 0191 3842718.
Pontac Pumpkins, Redcar
Photo Credits: Pontac Pumpkins
Established in 1958, the family run Pontac Farm expertly grow and produce a wide range of crops – especially pumpkins during the nippy Autumnal months! Their pumpkin growing and PYO (Pick Your Own) pumpkin scheme has flourished during the past few years. They have been hard at work for the past few months to bring you the very best produce possible so that you can create your very own jinxed jack-o-lanterns!
Pre-booking is essential, and you can head here to book your spot. Parking is free, though tickets cost £10. Tickets are only required per car and you are not charged entrance fees individually. Toilet facilities are available onsite.
Activities on offer
There’s no need to worry when scouring the vast pumpkin patches as wheel barrows are available to help with the heavy lifting. Though wellies are recommended as you’ll likely be sliding through muddy terrain hunting for your new pumpkin pal! However, this is all in the sake of a fun day out and even if you slip, you’ll be sure to have some fun family memories to look back on. Trudge over to the marquee to learn about the pumpkin growing process at the Pumpkin Journey Board or sling questions to staff to satisfy inquisitive little ghouls. Clamber your way up the straw bale selfie station for a pic with Pontac himself and enjoy some wonderful rural views. Little ones can also pose with a variety of hay bale creations, including Cynthia and Sidney the spiders.
Photo Credits: Pontac Pumpkins
Opening times
You can pick pumpkins here from the 16th to the 31st of October. Currently, you can snatch up tickets from the 16th up until the 28th here. The patch is open from 9am until 4pm. Opening times and tickets have not yet been released for the 29th to the 31st, so be sure to check out their website or Facebook frequently for any updates.
Where to find them
Pontac Farm, New Marske, Redcar, TS11 8LD. You can check out their website here or give them a ring at 07778 529916.
Brocksbushes Farm, Northumberland
Photo Credits: Brocksbushes Farm
This Halloween, you can wade through vast pumpkin patches chock-full with/of a great choice of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colours. You’ll have your pick from over 21 varieties of pumpkin and squash, so you’re guaranteed to find your very own haunting Halloween pumpkin. Though, with such a range, and a special farm shop on site, you can also gather ingredients for some devilish delectable delights! Pumpkin prices start from £1.50 and go up to £7, according to their size.
Pre-booking is essential, and you can head here to book a ticket. Reservations cost £2 for everyone, though children under 3 can visit for free.
Activities on offer
This year you can enjoy an all new pumpkin patch and more pumpkins than ever before! But don’t worry about lugging your horrifying horde around the farm, as numerous wheel barrows are on hand to help ease your load. They also make for a fantastic photo opportunity for both your little pumpkins and your finds! Head to the marquee to Frankenstein your own Halloween pumpkin with on-hand carving equipment without the worry of dealing with all the mess. You can also enjoy some rides and game stalls from as little as £2 per ride! Keen little beasties can fully express their ghoulishness at Marian’s Face Painting stall with a great array of designs to pick from. Round off your day with some homemade treats from the farm Tea Room or head to the Farm Shop to snag some lovely local produce.
Photo Credits: Brocksbushes Farm
Opening times
You can enjoy this Autumn season at Brocksbushes Farm on the 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th of October. The patch then fully opens from the 16th to the 31st of October. The pumpkin patch is open from 9am until 4pm.
Where to find them
Brocksbushes Farm, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE43 7UB. You can find their website here or call them at 01434 633100.
Final thoughts
We hope that you have found this guide useful and leave with some inspiration for some fangtastic family days out this Autumn season. It truly is a special time of year so get out there and enjoy it!
If you visit any of the patches mentioned here, please let us know! You can tag us on Instagram or Facebook. We love hearing about all the fun you guys get up to.
Have you ever been to the patches we described above? Any must-see’s you think we’ve missed? Leave us a comment down below.
