As we say goodbye to summer and it starts to feel more autumnal, what better activity than pumpkin picking? A great activity for October Half Term and Halloween! Here’s our pick (see what we did there?) of the best places around to go pumpkin picking in York and some ideas for a full day of pumpkin-filled entertainment. 🎃
Here is our Handy Map so you can see all the locations to go pumpkin picking in York – further details and how to book are below.
There are more pumpkins than ever to pick this year at Spilmans on their 25-acre pumpkin patch.
Pumpkin Fest opens Saturday 30 September and runs for selected dates throughout October until 31st October.
The Spilmans Festival is on a real authentic farm where you can pick your pumpkin from the field it was grown in with white ghost varieties plus lots of squashes and gourds as well as traditional pumpkins – plus there are loads of other fun things to do to including pumpkin sling shot, corn canon, spooky walks, carving barn, barrel train and giant pipe-rolling! There are lots of photo opportunities PLUS you can meet Madame Potiron and enjoy the new live show ‘Fright Delight’!
Your ticket price includes; entry into the event (£2.50 fee), PLUS a £5 voucher to spend on your pumpkins or Spilmans activities!
📍Church Farm, Sessay Nr Thirsk, YO7 3NB
🎟 £7.50 per person (under 2s free). Includes £5 credit voucher to spend on pumpkin picking or Spilmans Activities (excluding fairground rides & food).
🎃 Pre-book here and find out more information on Spilmans website
Piglets Adventure Farm, York From 7th October – 3rd November 2023, tickets are now on sale for a “Spooktacular Pumpkin Festival” at Piglets!
During selected weekends in October and until 31st October come down and pick your very own FREE pumpkin from 1000’s of home grown pumpkins!
Do you want to take home an “Atlantic Giant” or “Baby Boo” pumpkin? We have a huge marquee where you can carve your pumpkin so you leave the mess with us!
Piggy Poo ice cream and pizza is always good to keep little tummies full too for an extra special treat!
After the 31st October the Pumpkin patch will be closed, but you can still join in the rest of the fun at a reduced price ticket! See WEBSITE for further details! We close on Friday 3rd November.
Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane YO32 9ST
01904 499183
A York Mumbler said: “Piglets is always fab for pumpkin picking
usually have big carving stations and loads of different sized and shaped pumpkins!”
📍Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York, YO32 9ST
🎟 From £12.95 per child (aged 1-16), under 1’s free, from £10.95 per adult
🎃 Pre-book here and find out more information on Piglets website.
Pumpkin Carving at Murton Park, YorkVisit Murton Park for some spooktacular activities this Halloween!
Saturday 28th October – Tuesday 31st October
Pumpkin Carving: £3 per person, payable on the day. Come and carve a pumpkin to leave out on Halloween night, it’s so much fun (and a little messy!).
📍Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton, York, YO19 5UF
🎟 A valid annual pass and adult supervision is required for all activities – Pumpkin Carving: £3 per person, payable on the day
🎃 Find out more information on the Murton Park website
Balloon Tree, Gate Helmsley, YorkPlenty of pumpkins at Ballon Tree that will last until Halloween and beyond! You can borrow a wheelbarrow to avoid the heavy lifting. There is also a wonderful range of seasonal squashes available to buy from the farm shop, and the Jeep Track is open every weekend in October. For up-to-date information please check out the Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages.
A York Mumbler said: “We’ve been today, it’s lovely. I thought it was really reasonable for pumpkins. I got 2 small to medium ones £3.74 for both. Family members got large ones for £4.99 each. Play park is lovely too.”
📍A166, Gate Helmsley, York, YO41 1NB
🎟 £1.50 entrance fee per person (non walking babies & toddlers free). Prices depend on the weight of the pumpkin you pick.
🎃 Find out more information on the Balloon Tree website
Pop-up Patch, Sutton-on-the-Forest 
Yorkshire Pumpkins, Cundall, YorkThere’s more varieties of pumpkins than ever at Yorkshire Pumpkins this year – new for this year are beautiful pink pumpkins! Whether you’re after a ginormous orange pumpkin to carve, a delicious eating pumpkin to cook with, or a beautiful candle pumpkin to decorate enjoy wandering through the pumpkin patch and finding your perfect pumpkin.
All the pumpkins have been grown on the farm by farmers David and Rob, who will be in the field to answer all your questions about how they are grown!
There is also fun for all the family – from a bale mountain and maze for the bigger kids, to the toy tractors and pumpkin wash for the smaller ones.
The pop up pumpkin café will be back, as well as the delicious Stable Pizza Co.
Please book your tickets in advance online, tickets are £1.50 per person and include all activities (pumpkins extra). Everyone needs a ticket except babes in arms.
Yorkshire Pumpkins is open 7th & 8th October, 14th & 15th October, 21st & 22nd October then every day 28th-31st October from 10am to 4pm. New for this year are our after school sessions on 26th & 27th October when we’re open from 11am to 5pm!
A York Mumbler said “There are hundreds of pumpkins to choose from, play areas and amazing views – highly recommend!”
📍Lodge Farm, Cundall, York YO61 2RN
🎟 £1.50 per person (excluding babies)
🎃 Find out more information on Yorkshire Pumpkins website.
Great activity for the whole family, open from the 7th October. Wheelbarrows provided on arrival, simply pick your pumpkins in the field where they’re grown and enjoy the farm experience. Visit our brand new spooktacular tipi, enjoy some refreshments on site and pose for plenty of photo opportunities!
Pumpkins of all shape, sizes and colours available.
Well behaved dogs welcome (on a lead).
Opening dates 2023 (Open 10am – 4pm):
📍Kemps Farm, Barton Le Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6PP
🎟 Prices range from £1.50 to £6 per pumpkin.
🎃 Find out more information on Kemp Farm’s website and on their Facebook page or call 07798937821
The glamping site in Flixton, near Scarborough, will be open to the public (not just guests) for October half term, for families to enjoy their Halloween event. Come for the day, or come and stay!
The event is open to the public on 14th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 22nd and 25th October 2023, and daily during half term 28th October to 4th November 2023
Dogs are permitted but must be on leads at all times. Free car parking. Tickets must be booked online in advance, full info and booking here.
📍Humble Bee Farm, Flixton, Scarborough YO11 3UJ.
🎟 £10 per child including 1 pumpkin & £6 per adult (no pumpkin), Under 2’d go free (no pumpkin included)
🎃 Find out more information here.
Pumpkin Patch 30th September – 31st October 2023, Open 10am – 5pm
The Castle Howard Garden Centre Pumpkin Patch is back for the third year running!
Explore the patch and choose your perfect pumpkin.
Whether small, medium, or large, we’ve got varying sizes and colours for carving, decorating and making the most of the spooky season!
Head to the Garden Centre when you arrive and follow the signs for PYO pumpkins.
📍Castle Howard, The Estate Office, Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
🎟 Entry to pumpkin patch included with ticket. Pumpkins are £3, £5 or £7 each (or £1.50 for micro-pumpkins)
🎃 Find out more information here.
Yolk Farm Pumpkin Pop-UpOpen from Saturday 21 October – 5 November from 10am – 3pm
Yolk Farm is an amazing place for a day out! They have a frightful selection of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes in their amazing pumpkin patch, where you’ll find a unique selfie spots too, as well as a carving barn.
They have an awesome egg restaurant on site, as well as their new play barn – The Yard At Yolk – with role play stations, a giant sand pit and mini trikes, as well as amazing coffee and snacks for hungry grown ups. Pick up some delicious local produce for tea at their on site farm shop.
Don’t forget to wear your costumes, and you might even see a curious chicken or two along the way.
📍Yolk Farm, Minskip Road, Boroughbridge, York, YO51 9HY
🎟 £5 per pumpkin picker (including £3.50 worth of pumpkin – approximately a medium size)
🎃 Find out more information here – this event was very busy last year – book early to avoid disappointment
Boston Park FarmHalloween Shriek Week & Pumpkin Patch (from 14th- 31st October 2023)
* Open 10am – 4pm everyday
* Pumpkin hunt around our Maize Maze
* All-day entry to the farm and play areas
📍Boston Park Farm, Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster DN7 6DS
🎟 Under 1’s go free, £8 for children, £6 for adults & toddlers. Pumpkin picking and carving (pumpkins are £4 each plus £1 for carving)
🎃 Find out more information here
Please support small businesses and buy from your local fruit and veg shop in York. If you’re in town then check out Wigginton Road Nurseries who have a spot in the Shambles Market (just off Parliament Street) They offer all sorts of varieties including ‘white ghost’, ‘ baby boo ‘ & ‘Jack be liitle,’ plus all the other unusual varieties of Gourds. Prices range from £1 to £2.50 each, depending on the variety.
October Half Term painting fun at Rainbows 2023
Pop in with your little ones this October half term and you’ll find a huge selection of both Halloween and Christmas ceramics ready for your colourful painty creations. Let them loose with a paint brush or pop their handprint on to a bauble, plate, mug or teapot. We’ve lots of stamps and sponges to help them on their way.
If you’d prefer to paint at home, then simply browse www.rainbowsceramics.co.uk/shop Order your item and paint in the comfort of your home. Just pop by to collect then return in a week for firing.
Please note we don’t take bookings in the studio so just pop along. We are usually busy during half term so we would suggest avoiding half term week if you are requiring baby prints.
Rainbows is based in the city centre, across the road from York Art Gallery. Parking on Bootham Row behind the shop, or Marygate Car Park. Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride.
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK.
Oh and don’t forget to mention Mumbler for 10% off!
15-17 Bootham, York YO30 7BW.
01904 675533
paint@rainbowsceramics.co.uk
Visit Website
🎃 🎃 🎃 We hope you enjoy pumpkin picking in York this year and have fun carving it for Halloween! 🎃 🎃 🎃
