From bonfire displays to cosy autumn walks, there are so many fun half term activities in the south west that are perfect for getting the kids out and about. And if you’re looking for some fun Halloween entertainment, it doesn’t get much better than pumpkin picking.
Ideal for kids of all ages (particularly younger kids who aren’t quite ready for the spooky side of Halloween) pumpkin patches consist of a large garden or stretch of farmland filled with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Simply pick your favourite and enjoy everything the patch has to offer, from autumn-themed photo opportunities to wholesome farm cafés.
Curious to find out more? Our guide will tell you all about the best places for pumpkin picking in London and the south west, all of which are easy to get to via public transport when travelling with kids.
Located in the scenic Southampton countryside, Pickwell Farm offers a selection of fruits and veggies for you to pick year-round, from juicy strawberries to fresh corn on the cob. Their shop also offers a range of fresh farm produce to stock up on.
In autumn, you can find pumpkins in all colours and shapes in the fields at Pickwell Farm. Show your little ones how the different plants are growing and help them find the biggest, ripest pumpkin of them all!
Price: £
How to get there: Pickwell Farm is a half-hour walk from Sholing station. Alternatively, hop on the X4 Solent Rangers bus towards Portsmouth, get off at Grange Road and walk for just six minutes.
At the edge of the New Forest, tucked in amongst the trees you’ll find Sopley Farm. With over 20 different fruit and vegetables to pick as well as a café, farm shop and kids’ play area, it’s the perfect place for a half term family day out.
Visit around October to pick up your pumpkin, before heading to the café and play area to enjoy a warming drink while the kids let off some steam. Don’t forget to make the most of the photography area to grab a seasonal snap with the whole family. When the day’s fun has come to an end, head to nearby Bournemouth and make the most of 22% of selected hotels with SWR Rewards.
Price: £
How to get there: From Christchurch, walk eight minutes to Fountain Way bus stop, then get on the number 125 towards Ringwood. Ride until you reach The Woolpack Inn, then it’s a 14-minute walk from there.
With pumpkin picking just being one of many activities at Fordingbridge Pumpkin Pastures, your kids can enjoy hours of half term entertainment at this Halloween-themed farm.
Once you’ve selected your perfect pumpkin, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the activities available at Fordingbridge. The farm usually offers lots of Halloween activities as well as a fun Maize Maze that you and the little ones can explore at a small extra cost.
Price: £
How to get there: The nearest station to Fordingbridge Pumpkin Pastures is Salisbury. From there, catch the X3 from Blue Boar Row towards Bournemouth, ride for 25 minutes and get off at Redbrook Farm. Later, why not head back to Salisbury and enjoy a free soft drink with your pizza at Pizza Venti?
As the sister to Sopley Farm, Cat & Fiddle Farm & Café in Christchurch is the perfect place to pick up a pumpkin this half term. They also offer a selection of delicious fruits and veggies that you can pick to your heart’s content, as well as wheelbarrows and sledges to make transporting your pumpkins a little easier!
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with a slice of cake at the on-site café, before popping into the farm’s shop to find free-range eggs, local honey, salad vegetables and lots more.
With its annual Pumpkin Week usually selling out weeks in advance, this popular farm in Surrey is the perfect place to pick your pumpkin near London. Kids are encouraged to wear their favourite Halloween Costume, with a prize for best dressed. And, with Instagram frames dotted around the site, it’s the ideal spot for a photo opportunity.
Price: £
How to get there: Secretts of Milford is a 17-minute walk from Milford station.
Are you set on the perfect Halloween Pumpkin but don’t want the hassle of finding the good ones? At Crockford Bridge Farm in Surrey, farmers hand-pick the best pumpkins and display them on tables and hay bales, taking the work out of your hands. There’s still thousands to choose from in all shapes and sizes, but you’re guaranteed quality in every one!
Price: £
How to get there:Addlestone, Weybridge and Byfleet & Newhaw stations are all within easy reach of Crockford Bridge Farm. Addlestone is the closest at a 19-minute walk away.
Celebrate the changing of seasons with a trip to Garsons Farm in Surrey. Here, you’ll find a vast pumpkin patch, as well as a café and garden centre. You’ll be given a generous two hours to spend on the fields, which consist of much more than just pumpkins. Once you’ve picked your pumpkin, why not add to your collection with some berries, apples, sweetcorn or red cabbage? Finish your trip with a browse around the garden centre or a pit-stop in the café.
Price: £
How to get there: The farm is a half-hour walk from Hersham station, or if you’re coming into Esher, catch the number 715 bus.
To get the pumpkin picking experience right in the middle of London, head to Covent Garden. Each year, the much-loved shopping and dining area is transformed into an autumnal wonderland, with Halloween-themed pop ups serving spooky cocktails and tasty bites to eat. Head to the Halloween Pumpkin Market to pick up your pumpkin and admire a stunning floral display created by local luxury florists. Located in the Apple Market, you can take your pick from over two hundred pumpkins, squashes and gourds in all different shapes and sizes.
Price: ££
How to get there: Covent Garden is just a 10-minute walk from London Waterloo.
With so many pumpkin patches to choose from across London and the south west, all that’s left to do is plan your journey. Explore our ticket types to find the best train tickets for your journey. Don’t forget, you can save even more with our Railcards and discounts.
