Whether you want to eat them, carve them or theme your home decor around them, there’s no escaping pumpkins this month
Here at J’AIME we plan to embrace squash and pumpkins this October. We won’t be buying one from the supermarket though – we plan to pick our own. Here are some places you can head to if you want to follow suit:
Manor Farm Fruits, Watling Street, Hints
The farm’s annual Pumpkin Fest is back, and bigger than ever this year, running every weekend from October 1, and daily from October 20 to 31. Stretching across some 20 acres, the farm’s 85,000 shiny orange pumpkins, knobbly gourds and quirky shaped squashes will be a sight to behold. Pumpkins will range in price from 50p for the Mini Munchkins to £15+ for the Monster pumpkins.
As well as the pumpkins, there will be a wonderful Bounce and Climb, including Straw Pyramids, Mini-Mazes and Space Hoppers for the children to enjoy – it’s a great outdoor day out for all the family and is incredibly popular.
Tickets for the Pumpkin Fest are £3 for adults and £4 for children aged two to 12, with under twos going free. Tickets must be booked in advance online at www.manorfarmfruits.co.uk/pumpkin-fest
Spooky pumpkins are a must for Halloween.
Canalside Farm, Shop and Cafe, Mill Lane, Great Haywood
Canalside Farm’s Pick Your Own Pumpkin experience will be open on selected days from October 8 until October 29. There is a bumper crop of pumpkins this year including some interesting new varieties in all shapes and sizes such as Queensland Blue, Polar Bear, Goosebumps and Magic Lantern.
There will be family games alongside the Pumpkin Patch and plenty of fun photo opportunities for all the family as you make your way around the Farm. The Maize Maze will be spookified, with a Witches Cottage and Potion Station, and there are other fun activities as you find your way around. For an added spooky experience, there will be late-night pumpkin-picking by candlelight on Friday, October 14 and 21.
Tickets are £3 per person, with children aged two and under free. Your ticket will gain you entry into the Pumpkin Patch, plus all of the attractions on the day and pumpkins are charged by weight at the end. For full details visit www.canalsidefarm.co.uk
Rymans Pumpkins, Wall, Lichfield
Choose your pumpkin and make lots of mess carving your pumpkins at the farm. There will be help everywhere and so much fun to have. Rymans are a family run, small arable farm in the village of Wall, Lichfield. They diversified into Christmas trees five years ago and, last year, started growing pumpkins. The field full of beautiful pumpkins has been grown and looked after with care. Some are humongous, and pumpkins are priced by size.
The pumpkin patch in Wall will be open from 10am until 5pm between October 17 and 31. As well as pumpkin-picking, there are trailer rides, potato picking, games, refreshments, flower arranging workshops, evening pumpkin picking by torchlight, evening adult carving sessions and a warm(ish!) carving area with lots of help on hand. Warm drinks and delicious nibbles are also available at the farm’s food shack. Tickets are priced at £3, with under twos going free. Visit www.rymanspumpkins.co.uk for booking details.
