It's October which means Halloween is fast approaching! It wouldn't be Halloween without planning some pumpkin picking fun, so we've put together a list of the top pumpkin patches to visit across the UK.

The Halloween excitement is building! What better way to combine outdoor fun and Halloween than to head out pumpkin picking with your little explorers?

Read on to discover the best places to pick pumpkins near you.

Photo Credit: Windmill Animal Farm

1) Windmill Animal Farm, Ormskirk, Lancashire

Dates: 7th - 29th October

Windmill Animal Farm is ideal for younger children to visit before Halloween. With twenty thousand pumpkins to choose from, your little monsters will surely find the perfect Halloween pumpkin. After picking, explore the animal farm or have a go at the Maize maze.

2) Pumpkin Pete's, Ledbury, Herefordshire

Dates: 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd, 27th & 30th, and 31st October

Pumpkin Pete's is a fourth generation, family run farm near Ledbury, Herefordshire. Head there with the family and stock up on pumpkins to take home and carve in time for Halloween.

3) Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, York

Dates: 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd, and every day from 28th - 31st October

With over 10,000 to choose from, Piglets Adventure Farm is the perfect place to find your Halloween pumpkin. Every child that visits the farm will return home with a free pumpkin. Pumpkin picking is just one of the attractions alongside magic shows, pumpkin carving, the Mysterious Maze and more. Join in on the Halloween fun with lots of attractions and family-friendly activities.

Photo Credit: Foxes Farm Produce

4) Foxes Farm Produce, Essex (Aldham or Basildon)

Dates: Every weekend in October from 30th September and every day from 14th - 29th October.

With thousands of pumpkins growing in the patch, your little pumpkin pickers will surely find THE perfect Halloween pumpkin. Make sure to put on your wellies as it can get very muddy and bring the whole family to have some pre-Halloween fun.

5) Crockford Bridge Farm, Surrey

Dates: Pumpkin picking 30th September & 1st October, 7th & 8th October, and every day from 10th - 15th October.

You can pick your own pumpkin on the first three weekends of October or head over to The Pumpkin Market (open from 16th October) to choose from hundreds of pre-picked pumpkins ready to take away. From 20th October, the Pumpkin Festival is in full swing - try your luck at the Pumpkin Shy plus lots of other games on site and enjoy refreshments at the tea shack and other street food stalls.

Photo Credit: Hannah and the Twiglets

6) National Forest Adventure Farm, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire

Dates: 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd October, and every day from 28th October - 3rd November.

Hop aboard the pumpkin wagon tractor at National Forest Adventure Farm and pick up a free pumpkin for your children. After finding the perfect pumpkin you can have a go at broomstick training, meet and feed the animals and explore the huge adventure play area.

7) Strawberry Fields, Lifton, Devon

Dates: 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd, and every day from 23rd - 29th October.

Head to Strawberry Fields to pick your perfect Halloween pumpkin this year. There are lots of fun events such as daily magic shows, pumpkin carving or the maize maze to enjoy. Join the Pumpkin Fest and have a lovely family day out.

Photo Credit: Cairnie Fruit Farm

8) Cairnie Fruit Farm, Fife, Scotland

Dates: 6th - 31st October.

With over 12,000 pumpkins of all sizes, shapes and colours, we're sure you'll find your ideal Halloween pumpkin. Under 3's are free and do not require a ticket. Happy pumpkin picking!

9) Garsons Farm FYO, Surrey

Dates: 7th - 31st October.

Pick up a wheelbarrow and begin your enchanted pumpkin farm experience at Garsons, making your way through the pumpkin tunnels, discovering dazzling displays and joyful photo opportunities. Choose your pumpkin and collect inspiration along the way for you to celebrate and decorate at home.

10) Manorafon Farm Park, Abergele, Wales

Dates: 21st & 22nd, 28th & 29th, 30th & 31st October.

Head to Marorafon Farm Park this October to pick your pumpkin, then head over to the carving tent to make it spooky! There are new activities for 2023 including creepy critters and their new Horrid Hollows challenge, so a fun filled day is guaranteed!

Photo Credit: Manorafon Farm Park

If you are heading to a farm for pumpkins and family fun, make sure you bring a children’s waterproof jacket, warm hats and gloves and a pair of wellies.