If there’s one thing that can cheer us up about the end of summer (i.e. shorter days, colder nights), it is the incoming autumnal cosiness everywhere. The leaves are turning rusty red, burnt yellow and, of course, orange – and everything just feels wholesome. What better way to get into the autumnal mood than with these perfect pumpkin patches near Bristol?
From carving jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween to baking a pretty pumpkin pie for Instagram, Pumpkin season is for everyone. Personally, we just make bucket loads of soup out of the distinct winter squash to warm us through winter. So this Harvest season, get down to your local pumpkin patch and pick the very best near Bristol.
1. Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park
Avon Valley’s Pumpkin Patch festival kicks off from September 30 until October 29, adding pumpkin picking to their already fun list of activities. Guests will be able to grab a wheelbarrow and pick their perfect pumpkin, before firing one of their massive pumpkin cannons or testing your aim with their Scarecrow Shoot’em. The event in Keynsham, south east of Bristol, will also have roaming spooky actors and performers, fire shows, fair rides, Pumpkin PaintBall, Pumpkin Slingshot, Bottle Smash and much more!
There will be delicious street food available and you can warm up with a mug of hot chocolate or spiced pumpkin latte. Plus, Avon Valley will be hosting their Pumpkin Patch Nights events once again from October 6 to 30, which will feature festival vibes with a pop-up bar, firepits, street food, performers, spectacular seasonal entertainment and beautiful lighting.
Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1TP
2. Farrington’s Farm Shop
Open from October 6, Farrington’s Farm is ready to welcome back guests for their PYO Pumpkin season, with around 100,000 pumpkins grown this year so there should be plenty available to pick. The 12-acre patch is pretty spectacular, too, with a variety of sizes and colours to choose from, from classic orange ‘Cinderella’ pumpkins to white ‘ghost’ pumpkins.
Once you’ve picked the perfect pumpkin there are carving tables for you to carve them into any creation you wish. Guests will get to run about with a wheelbarrow while picking their perfect pumpkins, before enjoying some of the farm shop’s homemade pumpkin soup or a pumpkin spiced latte, plus their popular fish and chips shop will be open for the occasion. This event is advance tickets only at £3 per person, under 2s are free, and does not include a pumpkin.
Farrington Gurney, Bristol, BS39 6UB
3. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is one of Bristol’s best activities for kids. Not only do you get to hunt around for a pumpkin you can visit the animals there too! This zoo has over 100 different species of animal, from gentle giraffes to carnivorous African lions, from fluffy rabbits to giant African elephants.
From October 9 to 31, Pumpkin Fest turns the Zoo Farm and Farm Shop Autumnal bright orange for the month. Visitors can check out their pumpkin patches, before choosing one of over 1,000 pumpkins to carve (Which have been grown on-site in Elephant poo). Children can also take part in the farm’s Great British Wildlife Maze, Top Trumps Trail and Bug Talks. Plus, there’ll be fabulous pumpkin themed foods and treats at the barn and farm shop.
Clevedon Road, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1PG
4. Puxton Park
Towards Weston-Super-Mare, Puxton Park will open its pumpkin patch to the public from October 1. The family adventure park provides fun and variety with a giant indoor play barn, pets’ village and farm shop all year round. But this Autumn, you can have a go at picking your own pumpkin from Puxton Park. Over 60,000 pumpkin seeds have been planted across our massive pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch is free to enter, but there is a charge to take a pumpkin home – a price dependent on the size. Puxton Park is open every weekend and every day during the October half-term.
Cowslip Lane, Hewish, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare BS24 6AH
5. Bath Pumpkin Patch
Open every weekend in October, then every day during half term, Newton Farms is running the Bath Pumpkin Patch in a new location this year – just off the Globe Roundabout. (You should quite easily see the orange flags and banners as you get close.) Entry is totally free too, just head to the website here to claim your tickets.
With over 10 acres of pumpkins, you’ll find every type from traditional orange pumpkins to a small ghost pumpkin, or a blue crown prince. That’s not all either, because alongside the picking you can enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, and pumpkin-themed games. Plus, there’ll be plenty of refreshments from Newton Farm available!
The Globe Roundabout, Bath BA2 9BB
If you can’t find the perfect pumpkin among these acres and acres of patches, then we don’t know where you will. These pumpkin patches near Bristol have every kind you can imagine, ideal for either aesthetic pictures or flavoursome foods and everything in between. With Halloween creeping our way, check them out before the Harvest season ends. (It’s almost Christmas after all!)