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 spellbinding Halloween trail and PYO pumpkin patch is returning for a second year this October half-term. Venture into the witchy woods if you dare… 

PYO pumpkin patch
Warty ones, wrinkly ones, white ones, there will be 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! Don’t worry. The pumpkins are pre-cut, so no sharp knives are needed. Pay for what you pick.

Enchanting trail
Legend has it that the Pumpkin King is guarding the world’s biggest pumpkin inside High Lodge Pumpkin Patch. The Wicked Witches of Claypit Coven have heard it has magic powers and are desperate to get their hands on it. The only problem is he won’t let them enter the patch until they have unscrambled the secret password hiding in High Lodge Wood. Get on your broomsticks and help!

Gourd-geous games
Unleash your competitive side and get involved in the 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! Try your hand at noughts & crosses, bug draughts and snakes and ladders. The bale maze and farm tractor will also be back for youngsters to let off steam in the autumn sunshine.

Extras…

Refreshments
Tuck into seasonal treats and snacks, including spooky cookies and pumpkin spiced lattes. Also on the menu will be breakfast rolls, tasty burgers and chips as well as hot and cold drinks, cakes and ice creams from the refreshment trailers – The Toot and Tasty Toot and Sweet Toot. Make yourself at home under the beautiful stretch tent.

Marshmallow toasting
There’s nothing better than gathering your friends and family around an outdoor fire as autumn descends. Toast some delicious marshmallows on the 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 and get toasting!

Face painting
Get into the full 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, the team of two face painters can finish-off your look. What’s your ideal Halloween face paint? Head to the face painting den to pick your look.

Pumpkin Nights?

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 – 20, 21, 27 and 28 October. 

Pick your pumpkin by torchlight and complete the spooky trail in the dark for a truly bewitching Halloween experience.

The night-time event runs from 5.00pm to 9.00pm with lots of fun for all ages, but it is especially good fun for older children / young teenagers! There are no timed sessions. Arrive any time from 5.00pm.

The Tipsy Toot will sell drinks, including local mulled cider, creamy mallow-loaded hot chocolate, prosecco, Abingdon’s Loose Cannon beer and award-winning Sky Wave gin. Burgers, chips, hot dogs and marshmallows for toasting will also be available from the Tasty Toot.

Tickets are £7.50 for both adults and children – free of charge fo under 1s. Please bring your barcode on a smart device or print it out. Wrap up warm, and bring a torch and wellies! Pay for pumpkins at the exit.

Tickets

Please see important ticketing information below

Ticketing information

Opening hours:
The Halloween trail and PYO pumpkin patch will be open on 14 and 15 October and 21 to 29 inclusive. Opening hours are 10.00am to 4.00pm, with the last entry at 2.00pm.

Prices:
Tickets are £5.00 for adults and £7.00 for children (aged 1 to 16), and it includes entry to the Pumpkin Patch, woodland trail, games area and a small sweet treat. Under 1s are free. Pumpkins are paid for separately.

Getting there:
The Halloween trail and PYO pumpkin patch is a field on the edge of the A415 Abingdon Road, Culham. Nearest post code is OX14 3BN – please drive through the metal gates and park in the grassy field. It is 0.4 miles from the Europa School. What3Words: tribal.dizzy.tribes

Good to know

Is booking required?
Yes, this is a bookable event. Please book a session via the website. There’s a minor chance the venue may allow walk-ins, but this is at their discretion and is subject to availability. You can’t book online on the day. Online booking stops 12 hours before each event, then it’s gate tickets only (subject to availability).

Is there parking?
Yes, parking is available in the field next to the Pumpkin Patch. And it’s free too! Please be aware it might be muddy if there’s been lots of rain. 

Are there toilets on site?
Yes, there will be a temporary toilet trailer and one accessible toilet with baby-changing.

Can I amend my booking?
Create an account when paying to amend your booking day or time up to 24 hours before your session, or email highlodgeevents@gmail.com, and they will amend bookings at the discretion and subject to availability.

What is your refund policy?
Tickets are non-refundable. The organisers will issue full refunds if they have to cancel the event for any reason. Please note this is an outdoor event, and it will be open even if it’s raining.

How long can we stay?
Your session time is just for arrival purposes. You can stay for as long as you like. Most people spend between two and four hours.

How much are the pumpkins?
Pumpkins range in price from £1.00 to £10.00 depending on type and size. You 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, casperitas and giant polar bears, subject to availability.

Are the pumpkins grown on site?
No. The pumpkins are sourced from suppliers who grow them far better!

Is the event scary?
Absolutely not. This is a family friendly farm, and they’re not planning on scaring anyone. We hope youngsters will love the woodland attractions.

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

Will there be food and drink on sale?
Yes, a refreshment trailer – The Toot – will be selling Oxfordshire-roasted coffees, teas, brownies and other locally produced Halloween-themed treats. The hot food stand – Tasty Toot – will be serving burgers, hot dogs and egg and bacon rolls. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available.

Is marshmallow toasting and face painting extra?
Yes, toast a giant marshmallow on our fire-pits for a small fee. Face painting is also extra.

Do you take card?
Yes, cash and card will be accepted everywhere on site.

What should we wear?
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. Fancy dress is encouraged!

How can I transport my pumpkins to the car?
The pumpkin patch is close to the car park, but wheelbarrows, baby barrows and sledges are available to use. It would be a good idea to bring bags in case they’re in use.

Is the site wheelchair and buggy friendly?
The site is mostly buggy friendly, although this is weather dependent. High Lodge Farm is a working farm and there are no solid paths, so wheelchairs may struggle in places. Please speak to a member of staff if you require assistance.

Are dogs allowed?
No dogs are allowed to this event for hygiene reasons.

What are Pumpkin Nights?
High Lodge Farm will be open for twilight pumpkin picking on four nights only – October 20, 21, 27 and 28 between 5.00pm and 9.00pm. Please bring a torch. Tickets are £7.50 per person and includes access to the Spooky Trail, Pumpkin Patch, games and refreshment area. 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. This event is ideal for older children (although young ones will enjoy it too!)

Discover more: Where to go pumpkin picking in Oxfordshire