Something we need more than ever is festive spirit, and what better way to get into the spooky Halloween mood than to take yourself and your loved ones for a spot of pumpkin picking? You might think that the surrounding areas of Manchester would be the last place to find wholesome pumpkin patches – but we’re here to let you know that there’s a never-ending list. As with everything in the ‘new normal’, be sure to check each venue’s website and socials before visiting for any last minute changes. In the meantime, here’s five pumpkin patches near Manchester to visit this Autumn…
With hand-feeding barn animals, fancy dress competitions and fairground carousel rides, Cockfields is already a family hit. Add to that pumpkin picking and carving – and the ability to leave the mess behind for their staff to clear up – and you have a real winner. Everything here is included in the price of a festival ticket which can be booked online and will likely tire out the whole family, ready for a sit down and a hot drink. Prices range from £4.95 to £12.95 per person dependent on ages and whether each takes a pumpkin home – so feel free to pick and choose for each member of the family.
All sorts of Halloween fun is happening at Lancaster Park from Saturday 10 October, from spooky tales in the haunted house, to picking and carving pumpkins direct from their giant pumpkin patch. Not only does it turn spooky in October, the usual family favourites will still be available, including mini-quads, zip lines and petting the local farm animals. Some tickets include the pumpkin you take away and also get you access to other activities, ranging from £4 to £8 – with very little ones allowed in for free. Of course measures will be put in place to ensure COVID safety, starting with booking your slot online.
The beautiful Kenyon Hall Farm in Warrington will open its doors to pumpkin pickers on weekends during October, keeping usual attractions like the farm shop and outdoor café available for your leisure. The choice of 15,000 pumpkins will ensure everyone goes home happy, whilst pre-picked pumpkins will be on display indoors if the picking isn’t for you. Halloween will be in the air with pumpkin-themed food, drink and gift ideas, providing the perfect atmosphere to kick off this year’s festivities. Book your £2 ticket online to ensure entry and be aware that pumpkin prices vary due to the beautifully diverse nature of their shapes, sizes and colours.
Burscough’s Windmill Animal Farm welcomes pickers to harvest their pumpkins in October. At over £12 per ticket (per person) the farm promises a full day out for the family including access to open farm attractions, a place on the pumpkin picking adventure, and a pumpkin each to take home. Book online now and reap the rewards come October – the rustic charm of Windmill Animal Farm is sure to lift spirits and get the family together for a day. How festive!
- Words:
- Emmeline Banks
- Published on:
- Sun 25 Oct 2020
Top festive spot Dunham Massey doesn’t disappoint when it comes to Halloween, adding pumpkin picking to its list of family activities. Alongside the usual beautiful scenic walks to be had around the Dunham Massey Hall and Gardens (now restricted to outdoor only) and stunning deer walks, the village will be host to the ultimate pumpkin picking experience at Boundary Farm. After growing pumpkins for 30 years, the family have opened up their farm to keen pickers, allowing the public to explore the apple orchard and pick while they go. Not only does a £5 ticket get you entrance to the site but it is taken off the price of any pumpkins that come home with you – just remember to book a slot online to comply with safety regulations. Once you’ve done the graft of picking, there’s even wood fired pizza and Dunham Massey’s own apple juice and cider to get stuck into. What a day out!