the Pumpkin patch

october 2026

A full day out

This October – come and enjoy the legendary Pumpkin Patch at Rectory Farm!

The main attractions are of course our pumpkins – the stars of the show and are all grown on the farm in a myriad of colours, shapes and sizes! There’s so much else happening though and for your ticket price you get a full day out to enjoy with your family or friends.

What’s On

Amazing Photo Opportunities – our patch will be looking fabulous and our pumpkin tunnel will be a riot of pumpkins, squashes, gourds with autumnal colours and backdrops the theme. Get Instagram ready!
Interactive Fete Games – Some favourites like Spooky Hoops will be back, and we’ve added some new ones too for 2026 – no chance to get bored here!
Sensory Play – get busy in the little farmers shop or some wriggly worms. Lots to discover.
Mini Tractors – always a favourite. We love seeing little witches and and skeletons whizzing around the track!
Bertie Slippers – hilarious fun with songs, music, bubbles and puppets. A toddler (0-3) specific show at 9.30am followed by full family shows at 10.30am, 12pm and 2.30pm which are 30 mins long.
Pumpkin Queen – come and meet her in the field and learn about this wonderful crop.
Tractor & Trailer Rides – for the best view of the Pumpkin Patch.
Mini Sweetcorn Maze – burn off a bit of energy exploring the paths at the back of the pumpkin field.
Face-Painting – look the part this Halloween, Sally & her team are back with paint, glitter and funky hair pieces!
Daily Live Music – come and enjoy bands and artists adding to the festival vibe (12.30 – 2.30pm) – come back again in Half Term and catch another!
Book Reading Corner – need a few moments? Snuggle into a good book amongst the bustle.
Fresh Local Food – we’ve got all our favourite food trucks coming over the month of October – Jojo’s Pizza, Fink Street Food and Churros will be with us every single day, plus some extra special guests on busy weekends. Our cafe will also be serving up all the usuals.
Licensed Bar – relax with a drink while the kids are kept busy. We’ll have no alcohol versions of some of your favourites and plenty of soft drinks too.
SEND Morning – the patch will be quieter and slightly adapted from 8.30 – 11am on Tuesday 27th October. Accompanying carer tickets are complimentary.
Discounted Half Term tickets – Half Term week is usually a little less busy than October weekends, and the ticket price is slightly lower. It’s a great time to come, or come again if you didn’t do everything first time round!

This is an October experience you don’t want to miss!

An exceptional Pumpkin patch experience. The staff, thoughful activities, music and theatre made such a memorable day for my children. We will definately come back every year.

Katie B, Pumpkin Patch visitor 2025

pumpkin patch FAQ’s

This information will hopefully answer any questions you might have, otherwise we have a more general FAQ on our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page. If you still need to contact us, please use our form.

What days is the pumpkin patch 2026 open?

The full Pumpkin Patch event will be happening on all weekends and half term week in October. (3rd-4th, 10th-11th, 17th-18th, then 24th-31st October). On days outside this in October, visitors are welcome to visit the pumpkin fields and choose pumpkins without a ticket, but please note there will be no entertainment on these days.

What hours is the pumpkin patch open?

The Pumpkin Patch opens at 9am every day, with 30 min entry slots bookable until 3.30pm. The event closes daily at 5pm, with the last 30 minute entry window 3.30-4pm. No refunds will be given to those arriving after this time. Your ticket is valid for the whole day from when you arrive.

Do I need to book?

A booked ticket is required for every adult and child coming to the Pumpkin Patch in October. Weekend tickets are £8.50 for anyone over 2 (inclusive of booking fee) Half Term tickets are £7.50 for anyone over 2. For under 2s, entry is free and they will not need a ticket.

Wristbands will be issued on entry and checked throughout the site.

Children under 16 must be closely supervised at all times.

Can I change my ticket / get a refund?

Tickets are non-refundable, but all tickets can be transferred to another day / time up to 48 hours in advance of your slot time. You can do this using the ‘Manage my Booking’ button in your confirmation email.

Weekend tickets can be transferred to another weekend day without charge. Half Term week day tickets can be transferred to another Half Term week day without charge. If transferring from a weekend day to a week day in Half Term, you will lose the price difference (£1 per picket).

If you can not attend on the day you have booked, you can also pass your tickets on to friends and family who can enter with your booking reference – no need to let us know in advance.

In the event of Rectory Farm cancelling the day you have booked on, a full refund will be issued, minus the booking fee to cover admin costs.

What will happen in bad weather?

The fields and event will not be closed on rainy days, and no refund will not be transferable on account of the weather. Much of the event is under-cover and we strongly advise you to come appropriately dressed with wellies and coats.

Can I visit the rest of the farm on pumpkin patch days without a ticket?

There will be no access to the PYO field or site without a ticket on event days. However the shop, cafe and wooden play area will be open as usual for all visitors and ready picked pumpkins can be purchased from the shop if preferred.

Do you allow dogs?

Dogs are not allowed into the Pumpkin Patch event.

We allow dogs on a lead in our cafe and outdoor play area. Dogs are not allowed in our farm shop.

We recommend leaving them at home if you are coming to the Pumpkin Patch, as the event is closed to dogs and they are only allowed in the cafe area.

What are your general opening times?

We are open Monday-Saturday 8am-5.30pm and Sunday 8am-4pm. Our café opens at 8am and closes at 5pm Monday-Saturday and at 4pm on Sundays. Last entry to our PYO fields is one hour before we close. Please note: from September we will be closed on Mondays.

Can I bring a buggy / wheelchair?

While the ground if fairly flat, it is a farm and the fields and paths can be uneven. Be prepared for some difficult pushing, but we do allow pushchairs and wheelchairs. We don’t want anyone to miss out!

Where are the toilets?

Our toilets are located close to the event hub, with additional toilet facilities in the play area behind the shop & café. We have an accessible toilet.

What kind of pumpkins will be available ?

We have lots of types of pumpkins & squashes, including the standard orange pumpkins, grey crown prince squash, yellow mellow and large white polar bears. There will also be other squashes that come in many colours, varieties and sizes. Something for everyone!

Pumpkins can be paid for in the farm shop or the outdoor payment huts before leaving.

We cannot guarantee that every variety of pumpkin will be available for picking every day, and while we have made every effort to grow quality pumpkins, we cannot guarantee that all pumpkins will last until 31st October.

What activities will there be?

Planned activities include:
Pumpkin picking from the field
Mini ride-ons
Story corner
Bertie Slippers entertainer (9.30am, 10.30am, 12pm and 2.30pm shows)
Tractor and trailer rides (weather dependant)
Interactive games
Mini Sweetcorn Maze
Live music (12.30-2.30pm)
Face painting (extra cost)

We are unable to guarantee that every activity will run at all times during every day of the Pumpkin Patch. In particular tractor & trailer rides, that are included in the ticket price, are very weather dependant.

What refreshments will be available?

In addition to our cafe offering snacks, hot and cold lunches and a selection of drinks, we will have a coffee van and food vendors on site (Jojo’s pizza, Fink Steet Food, Churros) close to the pumpkin fields, with some indoor and outdoor seating.

Please note that only food purchased on site can be consumed – no pic-nics please.

What happens if I miss my time slot?

Please try to arrive for your time slot but if you are a little late or early we will probably be able to accomodate you, although if it is very busy, we cannot guarantee it. Last entry into the Pumpkin Patch is at 4pm, as the event closes at 5pm daily.

What should I bring?

We advise you to bring weather appropriate clothing – coats and wellies or strong shoes – the fields can be uneven and muddy.

Please bring strong carrier bags to take your pumpkins home – we love reuseables! (Otherwise lightweight carrier bags will be available at 10p each.)

I have lost my confirmation email

You will receive a reminder email two days before your booking with all the details or you can contact us to resend the confirmation email.

Is there enough parking?

We have ample parking on site, but do be prepared for up to a 10 minute walk from your car to the Pumpkin Patch entrance.

As we’re a busy working farm, you might spot tractors and other farm vehicles moving around the car park and nearby areas. For everyone’s safety, please keep a close eye on little ones and take extra care while on site.