PYO Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail at High Lodge Farm

About PYO Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail at High Lodge Farm

High Lodge Farm’s bewitching Halloween trail and pumpkin patch is returning this October half-term.

Tickets include the popular spooky trail with activity sheet and pencil, pumpkin patch access, photo opportunities, games and refreshment area and free parking. All ticket holders receive a free sweet treat.

Spooky trail
There’s been a cat-astrophe at High Lodge Farm! The Wicked Witch of High Lodge keeps getting her spells wrong, and now she has accidentally turned her cat into a… bat! Head into the forest and complete the trail to see if you can find him before nightfall – you’ll need to work out the spooky phrase to magic him back into a cat.

Pumpkin patch
Warty ones, wrinkly ones, white ones, we will have thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes ready to pick at the pop-up PYO pumpkin patch. Perfect for carving lanterns or cooking up something tasty, we will have squashes for every occasion. Sledges, wheelbarrows and baby barrows at the ready.

Tasty treats
The Toot will serve a selection of hot drinks, including Oxfordshire roasted coffee, creamy hot chocolate and locally baked cakes and brownies. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, and breakfast rolls will be available from the Tasty Toot, with more goodies from the Sweet Toot, including toasting marshmallows.

Farm fun
Enjoy the farm tractor, clamber on the straw bales or unleash your competitive side with rustic Halloween games. Pumpkin noughts and crosses and squash skittles? There’s no limit to the fun that can be had with a trusty gourd.

Mallow toasting
There’s nothing better than gathering your friends and family around an outdoor fire as autumn descends. Toast some delicious marshmallows on the firepits. Pick up a giant mallow and a skewer from the Toot for £1.00 and get toasting.

Pumpkin Nights
Pick your pumpkin by moonlight for a truly spooky Halloween experience! The after-dark sessions will run from 5.00pm to 9.00pm on four selected dates in October. Bring a torch and wrap up warm. Ideal for older children. Tickets are limited.

Tickets

Please see important ticketing information below

Ticketing information

Dates & times:
The Spooky Trail and Pumpkin Patch will be open for 11 days in October (19/20 and 23 to 31 October) from 10.00am to 4.00pm, with the last entry at 3.00pm. You can stay all day or until your children are completely worn out, but please leave by 4.00pm.

Prices:
Online prices are £7.00 for children and £5.00 for adults. Babies under 1 go free. Please note that tickets are cheaper in advance. They are more expensive at the gate and aren’t guaranteed.

Getting there:
High Lodge Farm is based at Culham, near Abingdon – not the farm of the same name in Chipping Norton. The field runs parallel to the A415 Abingdon Road. It is roughly 0.4 miles from the Europa School, and the entrance will be well-signposted. Please use this postcode OX14 3BN. What3Words: tribal.dizzy.tribes

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do I book tickets?
Follow the link above to book tickets for your preferred entry time. Tickets are non-refundable. If you create an account when booking, you can log in and move your tickets to another date, free of charge and subject to availability if your plans change.

What if I am late for my session?
Don’t worry if you’re a bit early or late for your slot. The sessions are to roughly manage the flow of people on site. Stay as long as you like.

My plans have changed. Can I change the day and time of my booking?
This is an all-weather event, so no refunds will be given unless the event is cancelled for safety reasons. If you create an account when booking, you can log in and move your tickets to another date, free of charge and subject to availability. Alternatively, email highlodgeevents@gmail.com at least 24 hours before your booking, and they will do their best to accommodate you – but this is not guaranteed.

Where do we park?
You’ll find plenty of free parking in the grass field just off the A415 Abingdon Road. If it’s been raining, please take care entering and exiting the site and expect some mud.

How long can I spend at the Patch and Spooky Trail?
You can stay all day or until your children are completely worn out – but please leave by 4.00pm.

Are you running SEN sessions?
Yes, there’ll be four SEN sessions from 9.00am to 10.00am on selected days (visitors are welcome to stay as long as they like after 10.00am). Please see the ticket booking page and book the SEN-specific sessions. Carers are free.

What is Pumpkin Nights?
It’s the name of the evening event, which runs for four nights only from 5.00pm to 9.00pm. The format is exactly the same as the daytime event – but at night, with spooky lights in the woods and alcohol on sale. It’s a lot of fun by torchlight and a completely different experience! Ideal for older children. Book tickets on the booking page.

Do you take cash and cards?
Yes, we take both everywhere on site.

Are there toilets?
Yes, we have a mobile toilet block and one accessible temporary toilet with a baby-changing facility. Facilities are basic and fairly limited on site.

What food and drink is available at your events?
The Toot sells proper coffee, tea, hot chocolate, brownies and flapjacks, ice creams and other soft drinks. The Tasty Toot sells hot dogs, burgers, breakfast rolls, and kid’s meal deals. This year, they will also be selling pizza. The Sweet Toot sells hot brownies, toffee apples and other goodies.

Is the site buggy and wheelchair friendly?
Sometimes. It depends on how much rain has fallen. Usually, an all-terrain buggy (not a stroller) can navigate the field and woodland. A baby/toddler carrier is recommended when it’s wet. With no solid paths, wheelchairs will struggle in and around the woodland. There is accessible parking near the entrance. Please speak to the organisers if you require assistance.

What footwear do we need?
Wellies are recommended if there’s been a lot of rain because it’ll likely be very muddy. Otherwise, trainers should be fine. High Lodge Farm is not liable for any injuries.

Can I bring my dog?
Only assistance dogs are allowed on site.

How much are the pumpkins?
Pumpkins range in price from £1.00 to £10.00 plus, depending on the type and size. You only pay for what you pick.

What type of pumpkins will you be selling?
Regular carving pumpkins of various sizes, munchkins and a mixture of different squash – festivals, red onions, harlequins, crown prince, casperita and giant polar bears, subject to availability.

Are the pumpkins grown on-site?
No. The pumpkins are sourced from top suppliers who are experts at growing them.

Is the event scary?
Absolutely not. High Lodge is a family-friendly farm, and they aren’t planning on scaring anyone. They hope youngsters will love the woodland attractions.

Do we need to cut the pumpkins?
No. The pumpkins will be scattered, already cut, around the field, so no knives are needed.

Is marshmallow toasting extra?
Yes, toast a giant marshmallow on the firepit for £1.00.

Discover more: Where to go pumpkin picking in Oxfordshire