Pumpkin picking in the North East: Patches and farms near me to visit throughout October 2022

It may feel like summer is barely over, but Halloween is fast approaching and the North East has plenty of options for families who want to pick their own pumpkins ahead of the big day.

There is no better reason to get out of the house and support a local company this autumn, and there are plenty of options across the region to have some great family fun and build up to the spooky season.

Down in Durham, East Grange Farm is preparing for pumpkin picking season early and is opening its site up from October 16-31. The site will be growing tens of thousands of pumpkins across 20 acres so there will be more than enough to go around!

The site is already offering access for select dates across October with tickets costing £5 per car. Walk-in options are also available. The site is promising hot and cold food, fairground rides and even more dates becoming available as Halloween gets closer.

Elsewhere in Durham, Holmside Park are offering pumpkin picking sessions with regular entrance tickets. Those wanting a little more however, can wait until the final weekend of October when the site’s Forbidden Forest Halloween event makes a return.

Kids will learn how to become a witch or wizard through a series of activities and tasks with access to the full site also on offer as part of the ticket price, which is £22 for kids and as low as £7 for adults. The site recommends the activities for kids between four and ten years old, although older and younger children can take part.

The nearby Adventure Valley adventure park are also bringing pumpkin picking to their site this Autumn across Sunday, October 16, Monday October 17 and the full week of half term. Each full paying child will get one free pumpkin with more available. Online booking is available now.

Closer to Sunderland, Down At The Farm near Houghton is bringing back its Pumpkin Week for Autumn 2022. The site, which can be found just off Durham Road, is a family favourite for many across the region and they have a range of spooky activities to get involved with.

In addition to pumpkin picking, the farm is hosting animal petting sessions, scarecrow making activities and more over the October half term, which falls between Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 30. Tickets can be bought online for £7.95 per person.

Another North East favourite, Brockbushes Farm is also making a return this year. The Northumberland site is growing 20 varieties of pumpkins this year including colours as varied as wite and grey.

The farm is promising their picking days will be bigger and better than ever this year thanks to their pumpkin patch doubling in size. On-site funfair rides and face painters will be available to enjoy as part of the day out.

The farm will be open to potential pickers across every Saturday and Sunday of October as well as the full half term break with entry costing £2 per person.

More picking spots are expected to be announced closer to Halloween.