Pumpkin Picking In Essex: The Best Essex Pumpkin Patches For 2024
Autumn is on it’s way and it’s the season for pumpkin picking in Essex!
Visiting a pumpkin farm has become more and more popular in recent years as it’s a fun thing to do with kids. Some of the farms have lots of other Halloween events on for kids too.
Going to pick pumpkins can be a really fun and relatively inexpensive day out during half term (unless you decide to pick ALL the heaviest pumpkins)!
Not all of the 2024 dates have been released yet so keep an eye open and check back as we will be updating them when they are released.
Looking for more ideas to keep the kids entertained over half term? How about these spooky Halloween train rides or these Halloween events in London? And if you’re looking ato get away over half term, here are some fun Halloween breaks for kids.
And since you need to book some of these well in advance, make sure to take a look at these Santa trains and Polar Express trains.
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Before we list the best places to go pumpkin picking in Essex, here are a few tips that may come in handy when visiting a pumpkin patch…
- The pumpkins are grown (or are laid out) in fields. If you’re visiting these 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- Many Essex pumpkin farms 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 the Essex pumpkin patches will have pumpkin carving facilities onsite but if not, you might want to look at buying one of these pumpkin carving kits.
- See here for more pumpkin picking tips!
Here’s where to go pumpkin picking in Essex
Farmer Scott’s
Farmer Scott’s Maize Maze & Pumpkin Picking
Grown over 35 acres, there are plenty of pumpkins to choose from. There is also a pumpkin barn where you can choose the perfect pumpkin without getting muddy and wet.
Enjoy the maize maze and on site catering.
Where: Scott’s Farm, Chequers Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5RB.
When: From the first weekend in October.
Tickets: £5.00 per person which includes car parking and a standard sized pumpkin or a hot drink and access to the maze.
Hatter’s Farm
Hatter’s Farm 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!
There’s also Hatter’s Mad 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 from the beginning of October to 31st October. Nights start from 24th October.
Tickets: Daytime pumpkin picking – £3-4.50 (under 2s go free). Evening pumpkin picking – £6 (under 2s go free).
See also these pumpkin farms in Suffolk if you’re near the border.
Marsh Farm
Marsh Farm has loads going on. As well as the pumpkin fields where you can find all shapes and sized pumpkins, there is a pumpkin village with all kinds of pumpkin related activities going on including pumpkin carving.
There is also an on-site animal farm, farm shop and children’s play area so you can easily spend a full morning or afternoon here if you are looking for more than just pumpkin picking in Essex.
Where: Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 5WP.
When: 14th & 15th and 21st to 29th October 2024.
Tickets: From £5.99 to £17.99 per person (Under 2 free).
Cammas Hall Farm
Cammas Hall offers a ready picked pumpkin patch with Halloween decorations. Extra Halloween activities are available such as 2 maize mazes which are always fun!
Where: Cammas Hall Farm, Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak, Near Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7JT.
When: Through October.
Tickets: £2.25 per person (Under 1 free). £2.00 will be credited against the purchase of your pumpkin.
Foxes Farm Produce
Foxes Farm Produce is the original PYO pumpkin patch in Essex. It actually offers pumpkin picking in 2 locations – see below.
There are ready cut pumpkins in the field with 15 different varieties of PYO pumpkins available. Wheelbarrows available.
Where: The Pumpkin Patch, Watch House Farm, Wash Road, Basildon, SS15 4ER – and – The Pumpkin Patch, Green Lane, Aldham, Colchester, CO6 3PR.
When: Throughout October.
Tickets: £5 for a family ticket for 4 people. Additional tickets are £1.50. You need to pre-book tickets here.
Cobbs Farm
Large field where you can pick your own pumpkins from the vine. There is a large selection of pumpkin varieties and they start from 50p.
Where: Cobbs Farm, Goldhanger, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8BQ.
When: Half Term week.
Tickets: Free entry and no booking required.
Hurleys Pumpkin Forest
Hurleys have absolutely loads going on at Halloween with lots of fun activities to choose from. There is pumpkin bowling and welly wanging! They also have a maize maze. If you’re looking for somewhere to buy your Christmas tree, they have a Christmas tree farm too from 28th November.
Where: Christmas Tree Farm, Battlesbridge, Woodham Road, Wickford, Essex, SS11 7QL.
When: Mid to end of October 2024.
Tickets: £10.00 gives one car entry with up to 6 people.
Lathcoats Farm
PYO pumpkins in Essex with pumpkin carving and a Halloween Hunt.
Where: Lathcoats Farm, Beehive Lane, Galleywood, Essex, CM2 8LX.
When: Mid to end of October 2024.
Tickets: TBC.
Hasty’s Adventure Farm
Based in Clacton, Hasty’s is primarily an adventure farm with lots to entertain the kids. During half term they have a pumpkin trail and a huge variety of Halloween themed activities for kids.
Where: Hasty’s Adventure Farm, West Road, Clacton On Sea, Essex, CO15 1AG.
When: 23rd to 3rd November 2024.
Tickets: £6.95 per person.
Pumpkin Jim’s
Just on the Essex border in Cambridgeshire, Pumpkin Jim’s offers a large variety of pumpkins.
Where: Pumpkin Jim’s, Grange Road, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1TA,
When: October half term.
Tickets: £1.80 per person.
So these are the best places to go pumpkin picking in Essex. Do you have any places you would like to recommend? Let us know! we’d love to hear from you.
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If autumn is drawing to a close and winter is setting in, you might want to take a look at what is happening at Christmas in Essex.