The spooky spectacle of Halloween is almost here, and High Lodge Farm is inviting brave children and their families to enjoy their first pop-up PYO Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail this October half-term.
How many pumpkins can you pick, and what will you find inside High Lodge Wood?
Warty ones, wrinkly ones, weird ones… they’ve got thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes ready to pick at their pop-up PYO pumpkin patch. Perfect for carving lanterns, decorating your home, or cooking up something tasty, they’ve squashes for every occasion. Wellies and wheelbarrows at the ready. Don’t worry; the pumpkins are pre-cut, so no sharp knives are needed. You pay for what you pick.
Legend has it 12 scarecrows come to life in High Lodge wood as darkness falls on October 31st each year. Some say they mingle with the spirits of the monks of nearby Abingdon Abbey. Using their terrifying trail sheet, wend your way through their sunflower graveyard and into the forest. Find the scarecrows who are each holding a letter. Decipher the scary word in return for a reward!
Pumpkin noughts and crosses and squash skittles? There’s no limit to the fun that can be had with a trusty gourd. Unleash your competitive side and get involved with their rustic Halloween games. Youngsters can also let off steam in their bale maze, try to climb through the spider’s web and sit in the farm tractor. Spooky story-telling will also be on offer on selected dates.
The Toot – the popular refreshment trailer – will be serving Oxfordshire-roasted coffees, teas, hot chocolate and delicious brownies. Pumpkin-spiced lattes and other Halloween-themed treats will be on the menu. The Tasty Toot – The hot food station – will be serving burgers, hot dogs, chips and egg and bacon rolls too.
There’s nothing better than gathering your friends and family around an outdoor fire as autumn descends. Toast some delicious marshmallows on their fire-pits (weather dependent). Gently glowing logs are ideal for getting that marshmallow as gooey as possible. Pick up a giant mallow and a skewer from the Toot for £1.00.
Get into the spirit of Halloween by transforming your little ones into something spooky or sweet. Fancy dress is encouraged, so if you’ve come as a witch or a wizard, a bat or a ghost, their team of two face painters can finish off your look. What’s your ideal Halloween face paint? £2.00 per face.
Pick your pumpkin by moonlight for a truly spooky Halloween experience!
High Lodge Farm will be open for twilight pumpkin picking on four nights only – on 21, 22, 28 and 29 October only, between 5.00pm and 9.00pm.
The after-dark sessions will run from 5.00pm to 9.00pm on 21, 22, 28 and 29 October only. Hot food and alcoholic drinks will be on sale. Bring a torch and wrap-up warm!
Tickets are £5 per person and include access to the Spooky Trail, Pumpkin Patch, games and refreshment area and a giant marshmallow to toast around their fire-pits.
There will be the chance to enjoy local mulled cider, Baileys hot chocolate, artisan gin, Abingdon’s Loose Cannon beer, prosecco and hot food under the night sky.
Please see important ticketing information below
Dates & times:
15 and 16 October and 21 to 30 October from 10.00am to 5.00pm with the last entry at 4.00pm.
The after-dark sessions will run from 5.00pm to 9.00pm on 21, 22, 28 and 29 October only.
Prices:
Tickets are £3.50 for adults and £5 for children (under 2s are free) for the dat time sessions.
Tickets are £5.00 per person for the after-dark sessions.
High Lodge Farm is a working farm and the Pumpkin Patch is a field, so please bring wellies or old shoes that you’re willing to get muddy. This is an outdoor event so please dress appropriately.
The refreshment area and games area is generally quite flat, however the Pumpkin Patch isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. We are a working farm and there are no solid paths.
Discover more: Where to go pumpkin picking in Oxfordshire