The best places to pick Pumpkins around Bournemouth and Poole
It is a scary fact that many children do not know where their food comes.
One of the best ways to teach them, is to take them to your local PYO (Pick Your Own) farm, where they can find and pick their own food.
October is the ideal time to year to take them, as not only can you pick pumpkins for Halloween, but other goodies on offer this month include Cox apples, runner beans, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, spring green cabbage, white cabbage, savoy cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, kale, leeks, marrow, potatoes, spinach, squash and sweetcorn.
Last weekend we headed to Sopley Farm, where we attempted to find the perfect pumpkin and found several varieties to choose from.
Sopley Farm is our go to place to pick fruit and veg as the team are very friendly and welcome you to explore and enjoy the whole farm.
Where to pick Pumpkins around Bournemouth and Poole
Sopley Farm
Sopley Farm can be found on the edge of the New Forest as you head along the Sopley Road towards Bransgore.
As well as growing 20 different fruit and vegetables, they also offer a cafe area, farm shop and small play area for the kids.
FREE to enter and pumpkins price from £0.80 per kg.
Update for 2020: They have a fabulous photography area, so you can take your perfect pumpkin picture.
Picking Patch at Fordingbridge
The Picking Patch at Fordingbridge has plenty of offer all the family, with plenty of fun activities for the kids, a spooky maize maze and an instagram opportunity around every corner.
It is free to enter and pick your pumpkins, but do be aware that the maze costs £6.50 per person, with under 5’s free.
Cat and Fiddle Farm and Cafe
The sister farm of Sopley Farm, the Cat and Fiddle Farm on the Lyndhurst Road at Hinton, Christchurch provides wheelbarrows and sledges to help pickers transport their pumpkins.
FREE to enter and pumpkins price from £0.80 per kg.
Pumpkin Picking Patch – Fordingbridge
The Pumpkin Picking Patch can be found on the A338 as you head towards Salisbury.
There are more than just pumpkins on offer with wheelbarrows to push, Halloween crafts, fun activities, great food, and if you are very lucky you may catch a glimpse of their friendly witch family
FREE to enter and pay for what you pick and additional activities (from £2.50 per person 2023)
Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins – Weymouth
A 45 minute drive from Poole, Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins is found on the Weymouth Ridgeway and offers spectacular views over the Jurassic Coast, if you climb high enough.
The kids really enjoyed pumpkin picking here, but they are a little older now and happy to climb hills. If visiting with younger children, be aware that the field can be quite steep in places.
The real selling point of Bincombe Bumps is that is free and also features a free Haunted House, witches walk, cafe and picnic area. They also had axe throwing and archery, which was very reasonably priced, from £2.50 per child.
Lenctenbury Farm Pick Your Own
Lenctenbury Farm can be found opposite The Halfway Inn on the A351 between Wareham and Corfe Castle.
FREE to enter and pay for what you pick.
Do you have any other locations you recommend for Pumpkin picking?
Laura - Dear Bear and Beany
Its one of our favourite things to do every year. So many fab places!
Yaya
I’ve never actually taken the kids to pick pumpkins even though I know we would have loads of fun! I love your photos and will make a point of going next year. x
Jenni
These sound great places, we haven’t been to one yet. I usually go early too
Lisa
We’re lucky that we’re surrounded by some really great local games that we can visit. Unfortunately we haven’t been and done this this year as we’ve all been a bit poorly. Boo!!