Pumpkin picking season is upon us! Pull on your wellies, wrap up warm and head out to one of the many pumpkin patches in and around Leeds.

  1. Farmer Copleys

We have visited Farmer Copleys many times over the years and watched the Pumpkin Festival expand with every single trip. They have over 200,000 pumpkins to choose from and every variety imaginable (I’m a sucker for those cute little white ones!). In addition to the pumpkin patch, there are tractor rides, bird of prey shows, archery, face painting, storytime, fancy dress competitions and lots of food and beverage options to keep you going throughout all the fun.

2. Bert’s Barrow

Bert’s Barrow is my favourite pumpkin picking spot. It’s set on a family farm which really adds to its charm. There are 30,000 pumpkins to choose from, a carving and activity barn, mini fairground and dogs on leads are allowed so you can make it a real family experience.

3. Stockeld Park

If you’re wanting a family day out where the picking of a pumpkin is just a lovely added bonus, Stockeld Park is definitely for you. Their Enchanted Forest has been given a Day of the Dead makeover with lots of magical interactive play opportunities along the way. Each paying child gets to pick a pumpkin to take home at the end of the route. There’s also the recently opened Playhive which is probably the best indoor play centre my family has ever visited!

4. Horsforth Pick Your Own

If your one and only desire is to pick pumpkins, this patch has your name on it. There are 18 varieties to choose from so you will be able to make a beautiful pumpkin display and be the envy of all your neighbours.

5. Piglets Adventure Farm

Piglets is perfect for younger pumpkin pickers. There are lots of outdoor play areas including a beach (a puddle suit with wellies is a must!), a bouncing pillow, a fairytale trail, a farmyard trail, a maize maze, shows and an indoor play barn. Each paying child gets to pick a pumpkin which they can either take home or carve in the carving tent. We visited Piglets in summer and had the best time so will definitely be heading back during half term.

6. Birchfield Ice cream Farm

We haven’t visited Birchfield yet but we have heard great things! No tickets are required and there’s no admission fee to the pumpkin patch - just pay for what you pick. If you like, you can pay £5.95 per person and get access to the festival where you will find a maize maze, bouncy castles, go-karts, sandpit, swings, toy tractors, and lots of cute animals including piglets, goats, ponies, donkeys, sheep and guinea pigs. Oh, and of course, they have ice cream!!

7. Cannon Hall Farm

Animals galore, indoor and outdoor play areas and a pumpkin patch - what more could you ask for? Fancy dress is definitely encouraged at Cannon Hall as staff will be giving out spot prizes to those that make a special effort.

8. William’s Den

William’s Den has lovely indoor and outdoor play areas but that’s not what caught my attention… William’s Den is doing Twilight Pumpkin Nights. What’s a Twilight Pumpkin night, you might ask. Well, it’s pumpkin picking under glistening moonlight which sounds lovely but the part that got me really excited was the live music, DJ, fully licensed bar, hot food, welcome cocktails and marshmallows around the campfire. That really does sound like an unforgettable pumpkin picking experience.

9. Thornton Hall Farm

Thornton Hall Farm is getting a spooky makeover for Halloween. There is lots to see and do from broomstick training, Halloween hunt, skeleton scavenge, trick or treat street (which is new for 2022), indoor and outdoor play areas, live shows, characters, and lots of animals to see and feed. And, weather permitting, they have pony rides, junior quads, caterpillar rides, and farm safari. And of course a pumpkin patch.