Where to go pumpkin picking in Oxfordshire in 2022.
Here are our favourite pick your own PYO pumpkin patches in Oxfordshire and beyond.
It’s that time of the year. That’s right, pumpkin season is here. Whether you associate it with Halloween or not, Pumpkin picking, a somewhat American concept, has taken off in the UK, with patches and pick-your-own farms springing up all over the place.
Here are our favourite places to go to make the most of pumpkin season in 2022. Put on your wellies, and head to one of these pick-your-own PYO pumpkin patches in Oxfordshire and beyond. Due to the rural nature of these farms, you’re probably going to need a car to get to most of them.
And whilst some PYO pumpkin patches are all about the pumpkin picking experience, others have gone all out with playgrounds, bale mazes or maize mazes and Halloween trails so that you can have a fun family day out.
Millets Farm, Frilford, Abingdon
Millets Farm has been nurturing a large number of pumpkins in their fields this year, and now’s the perfect time for picking a pleasingly plump one. The pumpkin patches are open at weekends from 24 September and daily from 15 to 31 October 2022. The patch costs from £1.50 to £2.50 to enter, and then you pay for what you pick before leaving. Pumpkin prices vary depending on the size and variety of the pumpkins.
Rectory Farm, Stanton St John, Oxford
Rectory Farm will have several pumpkin varieties for you to pick in October (exact dates TBC) – from the large Renegade pumpkins to mid-sized Racer pumpkins and the smaller Harvest Moon variety. They will also have the dark grey bluish and super tasty Crown Prince squash and a selection of colourful gourds for picking. Pop your pumpkins in one of their handy wheelbarrows to transport them easily from the field to the farm shop, and don’t forget to pose for a few snaps on the hay bales and with the photo stand-in boards before you go.
Hadsham Farm, Horley, Banbury
Put on your boots and head to the pumpkin picking event for 2022 at Hadsham Farm near Banbury. Collect a sledge and head to the pumpkin patch, where you can choose your perfect pumpkin. There are a variety of sizes which are priced between £3.00 and £10.00 each. Take your pumpkin back to the barns, where you can collect a carving kit to transform your pumpkins.
Earth Trust Centre, Abingdon
Come along to Earth Trust Centre to pick your own pumpkin – direct from the growing field on the farm – and lose yourself in a marvellous maize maze. Get your boots muddy and your hands grubby as you and your little ones have fun with one of their favourite Autumn harvests. Wonderful, wonky variety – they’ve grown a wide range of squash and pumpkins, so you can cook, carve and compost.
High Lodge Farm, Abingdon
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. Warty ones, wrinkly ones, weird ones… they’ve got thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes ready to pick.
Pumpkin picking just beyond Oxfordshire
A selection of pumpkin picking experiences just beyond Oxfordshire, but close enough…
Cotswold Farm Park, Guilting Power, Cheltenham
Founded by Joe Henson in 1971 – to help protect some rare breed farm animals – Cotswold Farm Park is about an hour’s drive from Oxford and even closer to Chipping Norton. Wrap up warm and head over to the field. Explore the pumpkin trail and choose a spooky face paint design. Then grab yourself a plump pumpkin to take home for crafts and pies. The pumpkin patch is open from 22 to 31 October (October weekends and throughout the half-term).
Weedon Hill Farm, Aylesbury
Farmer Paul at Weedon Hill Farm – about half an hour from Bicester – has been nurturing beautiful pumpkins on his predominately beef and arable farm. As well as the classic orange Jack-o-lantern pumpkin, which looks fantastic when carved, you can get your hands on a whole gaggle of gourds that are delicious to eat as well. The pumpkins are displayed in ‘The Pumpkin Barn’ to keep them dry when it rains. No need to book. Free entry into the barn. Open Thursday to Sunday until 31 October plus every day during half term.
Bucks Goat Centre, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury
The Bucks Goat Centre is a friendly open farm situated in Stoke Mandeville (some 40 minutes from Bicester). They have a pop-up pumpkin farm with over 2,000 pumpkins to choose from. They’ll also have pumpkin carving on-site at £1.00 per kit. Due to huge demand, you’ll need to book tickets for your prefered 90-minute time slot.
Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Swindon
Roves Farm is a brilliant day out for all ages. Visit the Pumpkin Barn to choose your pumpkin. Then get creative carving your design. Bonus for the grown-ups – you get to leave the mess behind! Extra charge applies, and it’s subject to availability. Pre-booking is essential. Over the October half term, they will be hosting a range of events and activities to run alongside the pumpkin carving event. You’ll find further details on their website.
Glebe Farm, Lower Brailes near Shipston-on-Stour
It’s the first time for PYO pumpkins at Glebe Farm in Lower Brailes (OX15 5HR) – about 10 miles north of Chipping Norton. We’re told the pumpkins are growing well for their first pumpkin picking event, and they’ve enjoyed watching them grow. There will be a booking system in place, so please keep an eye on their Facebook page for details and pricing.
Need more spooky activity inspiration? See our list of brilliant half-term & Halloween activities in Oxfordshire.
