Farmer Copleys, Pontefract

Over 250,000 pumpkins have been grown on this family-run farm in readiness for the annual Pumpkin Festival and the multi-coloured beauties include over 40 varieties from Munchkin to Cinderella (their real names!). There is always plenty to do with tractor rides, the Dog Parade, archery, fancy dress competitions, street food, festival bars and, of course, refreshments in the Moo Café. When the sun goes down, the live bands come out for Pumpkin Picking Nights (25 – 27 Oct) if that’s your bag. Early bird tickets for Pumpkin Nights from 5pm cost £16 pp and under threes are free. Daytime access to the Pumpkin Patch costs £6 but this doesn’t include a pumpkin or some rides and activities with additional charges.

Boston Park Farm, Doncaster 

What, a Muddy-free Pumpkin Patch? Surely, they’re not excluding us, but that’s the squeaky-clean promise for their Halloween Shriek Week. Go on a pumpkin hunt and carve lanterns in the Maize Maze, then feel free to visit the farm, included in the ticket price. New for 2024, kids can join in a free witches’ potion making class from 1 – 3pm during 26 – 31 Oct only. A torchlit pumpkin hunt on 26 Oct will be followed by a Family Halloween Disco (dressing up encouraged). PYO is open daily 10am – 4pm until 31 Oct, pumpkins are £4 each plus £1 for carving and entry is £9 for children aged 3 to 12 and £7 for adults and toddlers with under ones free. 

Cannon Hall Farm Pumpkin Festival, Cawthorne

Voted the UK’s Number One pumpkin picking patch in 2023, this popular farm near Barnsley has almost 10,000 pumpkins available for visitors to choose from while expert carvers can help shape out those scary faces. Children who have a paid ticket are entitled to one free pumpkin each (as big as they can carry – feels like a fun challenge) and fancy dress is encouraged with spot prizes as well as last-minute outfits available from the costume pop-up shop. New for this year, there’s a VR Spooky Halloween Pumpkin Ride to entice the kids, plus, of course, there is all the fun of the farm from sheep and ferret racing to indoor soft play. PYO runs until 31 Oct and last arrivals are at 2.30pm each day. 

Spilmans, near Thirsk

A bumper crop of 125,000 pumpkins, squashes and gourds are grown on the family-run farm with 35 varieties to choose from. Your event ticket also includes the new Wizfords Academy of Witches and Wizards show plus a Halloween fancy dress disco with Skelebones. Other activities such as tractor rides, giant pipe rolling, pumpkin slingshot and corn cannon are 30% cheaper when booked in advance, but one adult accompanying a child in the carving barn and on the spooky walk can go for free. Such good value at only £6.50 per head, this includes a £4 credit voucher to spend on a pumpkin while there is a special offer of 10% off groups of five or more from 25 – 31 Oct. 

Stockeld Park, Wetherby 

Truly un-boo-lievable (oh come on give me a break!), free pumpkin picking is included with every Halloween Entry Ticket at one of Yorkshire’s biggest patches and family-friendly attractions. The pick of the crop also covers other Halloween Adventures such as an Enchanted Forest, Spooky Woodland Witches, a Monster Masquerade Ball, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, Magical Maze and even a Zombie Laser Experience. On every October weekend, plus daily from 26 – 31 Oct, pre-booking online is recommended.

Thornton Hall Farm, Skipton

Plenty to keep the kids entertained beyond picking up an orange orb from the Pumpkin Patch. Just introduced this year and all for free is the Slime Workshop, there’s also a School of Evil Live Show, Trick or Treat Street where ghouls pop out to play. Mischief Manor is also new and costs £3 pp to be met with loud noises, flashing lights and small frights within (recommended for age six plus). Full day entry into the farm park (10am – 4.30pm) is also included in ticket prices from £9.95 for under twos (under ones free) or £14.95 for children aged two and up until 31 Oct. Bargain.

Butt Farm, Beverley

No buts, PYO here has the feel-good factor for all ages as entry to the Pumpkin Patch is with a charitable donation of your choice to Yorkshire Air Ambulance. There are thousands of precious pumpkins to choose from with loads of different varieties whether for carving, cooking or creative autumnal display. No pre-booking is required, face painting and refreshments are available and there are plenty of photo opps. Dogs are only allowed on Howloween Pumpkin Picking evenings designed especially for furry friends as on 20 Oct. Otherwise roll up on 21 and daily from 25 – 31 Oct from 10am – 4pm or 9.30am – 3.30pm on Sundays. 

Lotherton Hall, Leeds

Pumpkin Patch Trailer Tours are an extra Halloween treat at this Edwardian Hall filled with hidden treasures and wildlife in the grounds. It means the kids can pose for a photo on a vintage tractor once they’ve picked their perfect pumpkin. There’s face painting, craft activities and refreshments all available here. Trailer Tours from 26 – 31 Oct cost £10 for Pumpkin Picker or £5 Ride Only in addition to general admission. Younger children can also join the Spooky Skeletons: Scarytales Trail during daytime from 26 Oct – 3 Nov at no extra charge or stay on after dark for a Once Upon a Nightmare immersive scare event aimed at eight to 15-year-olds from 25 – 31 Oct, price £12.50 pp.

Cederbarn Farm Shop, Pickering

Pick a day and time to suit for you for a visit to the Pumpkin Patch at Cederbarn Farm Shop, before decorating it in the Dutch barn. They are promising rides on the ghost train and a spooky trail, all for £9.95 per child, while adults pay £2.50 for the train. Extra pumpkins are available to buy from the shop, while an Airstream trailer will be open for food and drinks to enjoy alongside the outdoor activities. If the train can’t run due to bad weather, then the included ticket will be valid for a return visit within 12 months. Open from 26 – 31 Oct from 10am – 3pm.

Castle Howard, near York

Last but not least, Castle Howard is in on the Halloween action at the Castle Garden Centre – there will be PYO pumpkins to carve and decorate, a brand new play Great Pumpkin Adventure to watch starring the Skelves from 30 Oct to 3 Nov, and the house will also be open with its own pumpkin trail for little ones from 8 – 31 Oct. Open from 10am – 5pm and running daily until 31 Oct, entry to the Pumpkin Patch is free while the price of your prize depends on size.