It’s autumn and that means it’s time for spooky season! Halloween, cosy nights in, pumpkin spice lattes, and all that good stuff.
One of the best things to do in October is visit a pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkins, ready to carve when you get home. It’s much more fun than buying one at the supermarket.
Get rugged up, head out in the fresh air and support a local business while you’re at it. Here are some of the best places to pick pumpkins in Derbyshire.
1. Stretton Hall Farm
For a magical pumpkin picking experience in North East Derbyshire, head to Stretton Hall Farm. They have over 20 different varieties of pumpkins, including white pumpkins, that’ll look right at home on your doorstep.
There’s a lovely walk here from Kenning Park if you’re feeling active and you can fuel up with a pumpkin spice latte and a slice of cake in the cafe after you’ve picked your pumpkins. Plus, get your Instagram photos in some of the dedicated photo-spots.
The pumpkins here are a little pricey, but there’s no entry fee or parking charge and there is a large car park on-site. You can pay by cash or card and payments are made in the cafe.
Dogs are welcome on the pumpkin patch so long as they’re on a lead. For the kids, there is face painting available at the weekend.
Address: Stretton Hall Farm, Newmarket Lane, Clay Cross S45 9AP
2. Ashover Family Farm
Visit Ashover Family Farm for an abundance of pumpkins to pick. Open from the 4th October, both entry and parking are free, you just need to pay for the pumpkins you pick and you can pay by cash or card.
Refreshments are available to keep you fuelled up while you pick including hot chocolate, coffee, and burgers. There’s no need to book in advance.
Address: Eastwood Hall Farm, Eastwood Lane, Chesterfield S45 0BD
3. Village Pumpkins PYO, Barlow
For pumpkin picking in North Derbyshire, look no further than Village Pumpkins PYO (pick your own) in Barlow, Chesterfield. This pumpkin patch is open every weekend in October and then every day between 20th and 31st October (while stocks last) from 9am until 5pm (last entry at 4pm).
You’ll also get to see some of the farm animals during your visit and there’s a sit-on tractor ride too. Little ones will love the spooky pumpkin trail and creepy caterpillar tunnel. There’s also the opportunity to get their faces painted for a charitable donation.
When it comes to refreshments, there are pop-up food vendors, milkshakes from Shmoo Thickshakes, homemade cakes and bakes, hot chocolates, and spiced pumpkin soup. You can also buy homegrown produce to take home with you.
Village Pumpkins PYO is ticket-only for the weekends so be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. There is an entrance fee for adults and children over 12. Tickets don’t include a pumpkin.
Dogs are allowed in the refreshments field and car park area but not on the pumpkin patch.
Address: Johnnygate Lane, Barlow, Dronfield S18 7SE
4. Matlock Farm Park
As part of their Fang-tastic Halloween Festival from 26th October – 1st November, Matlock Farm Park has a super pumpkin patch available to roam.
There’s also a spooky woodland trail, craft workshops and creepy characters to meet like the Headless Horseman. Channel your inner Quidditch player and take part in the Broomstick Flying Workshop or make some slime with Frankenstein.
There are even carving stations on site here, so you don’t need to make a mess at home! Don’t forget to make an effort – there are on the spot prizes available for the best fancy dress costumes.
Address: Matlock Farm Park, Jaggers Lane, Matlock DE4 5LH
5. Mr Pumpkin, Morley
Mr Pumpkin is just outside Derby city centre in Morley and offers a huge variety of pumpkins for you to choose from.
As well as the pumpkin patch, there’s also a pumpkin trail which raises money for the Air Ambulance. You can pick up an activity sheet from the trail hut – see if you can unscramble the letters to find a spooky word!
There are over 90,000 pumpkins here with 50 varieties to choose from. They have everything from tiny pumpkins and warty pumpkins to star-shaped pumpkins and white pumpkins – perfect for those Instagrammable Halloween displays!
Hot and cold food and drinks are provided by Oakfield Farm and there’s a funfair with teacups, bungees, and a bouncy castle.
Mr Pumpkin is ticket only for selected dates throughout October and tickets are available to book now.
Address: Lime Farm, Mansfield Road, Derby DE7 6JU
6. Shirley Pumpkins, Ashbourne
With a range of weird and wonderful pumpkins available, Shirley Pumpkins is open on weekends throughout October and then every day from the 25th – 31st from 10am until 4pm. It’s dog friendly and has free parking, plus food and drink is available too.
Address: Shirley Hall Farm, Derby Lane, Shirley, Ashbourne DE6 3AT
7. Pumpkin Corner, Ashbourne
Pumpkin Corner offers a selection of organically grown pumpkins on weekends during October. There’s no need to book and it’s free entry (just pay for your pumpkins), making for a great spur of the moment activity.
There are photo opportunities and props dotted around so you’ll have no trouble getting those Instagram pics.
Treats and hot drinks are available including hot chocolates and waffles.
Dogs are allowed by the picnic benches but not on the actual pumpkin patch.
Address: Quillow Road, Ashbourne DE6 1ND
8. Bluebell Dairy and Farm Pumpkin Picking, Derby
Bluebell Dairy has several special events running throughout spooky season including their Halloween Festival, toddler pumpkin picking, and torch lit pumpkin picking. Their events are running on selected dates throughout October and are ticketed so be sure to book.
There are thousands of pumpkins available plus a Halloween trail and daily spooky shows. Special treats include the Witch’s Potion Class and Scarecrow Maize Maze.
Pumpkins aren’t included in the price but every child’s ticket gets £2 towards a pumpkin.
Address: Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AT
9. Garden King Pumpkin Woods, Swadlincote
In addition to pumpkin picking at Garden King Pumpkin Woods, they also have Halloween bear making, sand art, marshmallow toasting, plus plenty of Instagrammable moments like the Halloween-themed inflatables. Dogs are also welcome and will love the 300 metre woodland walk.
Pumpkin Woods is open from 27th September until the end of October. There is an entry fee and all pumpkins are priced at £3.50, regardless of their size.
The main restaurant and soft play are also open during the event.
Address: Garden King Garden Centre, Park Road, Newhall, Swadlincote DE11 0TX
10. Swarkestone Nursery and Garden Centre
The Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail Experience opens on 4th October at Swarkestone Nursery and Garden Centre. Suitable for both adults and children, tickets are available for £5.50.
Pumpkins and carving kits aren’t included in the ticket price. You can bring your own carving kit to use at the pumpkin carving stations.
There’s a spooky trail to explore plus some fun photo points.
Dogs are not allowed.
Address: Swarkestone Nursery, Lowes Lane, Swarkestone, Derbyshire DE73 7GQ
11. Trusley Pumpkin & Potato Patch, Ashbourne
This pick-your-own pumpkin patch in Ashbourne is open every weekend throughout October from the 5th. A great family-friendly day out.
Find out more on their Facebook page.
Address: Goldhurst Farm, Ashbourne DE6 5JF
12. Vicar Lane Pumpkin Patch, Chesterfield
Vicar Lane has a whole host of spooktacular activities to take part in this Halloween on Saturday 26th October. As well as free pumpkins (while stocks last), there are plenty of other tricks and treats including a potion-making workshop and magical face-painting makeovers.
All activities are free and fancy dress is welcomed (and encouraged!).
Find out more on their website.
Address: Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield
13. Bloom and Gourd Egginton Sunflower and Pumpkin Field
There are a wide range of pumpkins available at this rural pumpkin patch outside Derby. Opens 5th October.
Address: Egginton, Derby DE65 6GU
14. Snarestone Pumpkin Farm, Swadlincote
The pumpkin patch and barn at Snarestone Farm is open every day from 7th until 31st October. Pumpkins are available from just £1 and entrance to the pumpkin patch is priced at £2 per person.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome. The farm shop will be open, providing refreshments and wheelbarrows for you to carry your pumpkins.
Cash and card payments are accepted and parking is free.
Address: Lodge Farm, Snarestone, Swadlincote DE12 7DA
15. Litton Lanterns
Litton Lanterns is open from 5th October until 31st October, every Saturday and Sunday, and half term. Entry and parking are free, you just pay for the pumpkins that you want to take home. There’s no need to book.
Hot food (including Derbyshire oatcakes!), drinks, and cakes are available as well as plenty of photo opportunities. There’s also face painting for the kids and the opportunity to meet some animals.
Dogs are welcome.
Address: Litton Slack, SK17 8SU
16. The Barn at Morefruita Farm
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout October, there is free parking and free entry to pick your own pumpkins at The Barn at Morefruita Farm. There are cold snacks and refreshments available as well as a farm shop selling home grown and local produce.
Address: Oxcroft Estate, Mansfield Rd, Worksop S80 4LY
Pumpkin picking tips
- Pumpkin picking takes place outside so wear suitable clothing. Layers, waterproofs, and a hat are all sensible. Also, the field may be wet and muddy so wellies or walking boots are the best options.
- Bring gloves for picking up the pumpkins – sometimes the stalks can be spiky!
- Check the stem. A healthy pumpkin will have a stem that’s sturdy and at least two inches wide. A pumpkin with a green stem is unripe and will last longer.
- Tap your pumpkin! If you hear a hollow sound then the pumpkin is too ripe and will turn mushy quickly.
- Be sure to choose a flat base – these pumpkins will stand up by themselves, making for a spooktacular display on your doorstep.
Check out this blog post for more spooky things to do in Derbyshire this Halloween.
