Now that we have well and truly let go of the last of summer, it’s time to look forward to the joys of autumn.

With the change in weather comes big cosy jumpers, gorgeous red and orange leaves falling from the trees, hot mugs of tea – and of course, pumpkins.

Ahead of Halloween, farms and attractions across Bucks are growing bumper pumpkin harvests ready for fun family picking.

Here is a round-up of some of the best pumpkin patches you can visit this autumn.

Peterley Manor Farm

All Peterley Manor Farm’s pumpkins are grown on site in Great Missenden and they are excited to have a “bumper crop” this year.

The pumpkin patch will be open on the following days:

  • Saturday, October 16 – 9am to 4pm
  • Sunday, October 17 – 9am to 2pm
  • Saturday, October 23 – 9am to 4pm
  • Sunday, October 24, 9am to 2pm

And if there are any left after that, they will be open on selected dates during Half Term – but once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Pre-booking is not required and there is no entry fee. You weigh and pay for the pumpkins you pick at the end.

Pumpkins are priced at 99p per kilo, but it drops to 69p per kilo if the pumpkin is over eight kilos.

The farm has a limited number of wheelbarrows available to use.

You could get muddy, so make sure you wear something suitable – and fancy dress is definitely welcomed.

See www.peterleymanorfarm.co.uk/october-half-term-on-the-farm for more information.

Odds Farm

Head to the Oddllotment to pick your own pumpkin ready to carve as Odds Farm brings back its Halloween festival from October 23 to 31.

If you want to get ahead of the game, Odds Farm in Wooburn is running two extra pumpkin picking and carving-only dates on Saturday, October 16, and Sunday, October 17 – but there will be no other Halloween events on those days.

If you want to get into the spooky spirit, there will be Halloween fun over Half Term, there will also be a “tricky trail” to explore, among other surprises.

Little ones will be able to take a mini wheelbarrow around the oddllotment to pick their very own pumpkins, before heading to carving corner to get creative.

There is a small extra charge for the pumpkin and oddllotment is weather permitting. Don’t forget to bring a small reusable bag to take your pumpkin home. You can also collect a pumpkin to carve at home instead.

See www.oddsfarm.co.uk/halloween-festival for more information and to book general admission tickets for Half Term.

Farmer Paul’s

Farmer Paul’s at Weedon Hill Farm in Buckingham Road, Weedon, is a major attraction for families throughout the year, but it really comes alive at Halloween.

From October 9, head to the farm and see a huge selection of giant pumpkins, the classic orange jack-o-lantern, unusual gourds and other quirky types.

The pumpkins are displayed in the ‘Pumpkin Barn’, so it’s an activity you can enjoy even when it’s raining.

The pumpkins are priced according to their size and will start from 50p.

These are the opening times:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – closed
  • Thursday and Friday – 2pm to 4.30pm
  • Saturday and Sunday – 9.30am to 4.30pm
  • Half Term – 9.30am to 4.30pm (or until they sell out)
  • A Night in the Pumpkin Barn, October 15 and 16 – 6.30pm to 9pm (weather permitting) and October 22 and 23 – 6.30pm to 9pm (weather permitting and if pumpkins have not sold out already)

See www.farmerpaul.co.uk/pumpkins for more details.

Nathan’s Farm, Chalfont St Giles

Shire Lane Farm in Chalfont Road offers a ‘Pick Your Own’ option every day from Saturday, October 16, until Halloween.

The farm is open every day from 10am to 4pm and there’s no need to book in advance.

Entrance fee is £10 per car and includes feeding and petting animals, and pumpkins are £5, with various sizes available.

Nathan’s Farm also has a carving barn available.

Christmas Tree Farm, Chesham

Despite its name, Christmas Tree Farm in Amersham Road also has a pumpkin patch ripe for picking.

In 2021, the patch will be open on Saturday, October 16, and Sunday, October 17, from 10.30am until 4pm and then every day from Saturday, October 23, until October 31 (or until they’ve sold out of pumpkins) from 10.3am until 4pm.

All of their pumpkins are homegrown and come in a range of sizes. There is no need to book and there’s no entry fee.

They also pride themselves on not using HGVs to move them around and they use no packaging in the harvesting or selling of their pumpkins.

You can follow their adventures on their Instagram page @christmastreefarmchesham or head to their website thepumpkinfarm.co.uk

Copas Farms Iver and Cookham

Copas Farms in both Cookham and Iver plant their pumpkins and squash in mid May, ready for picking in October.

They will be open to ‘pick your own’ on October 16 and 17 and then from October 23 until October 31, or until they sell out.

Copas Farms have an online booking system – you need to purchase a voucher online at thefruitfields.co.uk before visiting for £1.50 per adult and child (although babies in pushchairs or strapped to adults don’t need a voucher).

The voucher will allow entry at your chosen time and you can stay for up to an hour – giving you the perfect amount of time to take some Instagram-worthy photos and choose the best pumpkin to take home and carve.

Pumpkin prices are 90p per kilo and Halloween decorations can be bought in the shop.

There will be some barrows available for those who need more pumpkins than they can carry – but make sure to bring your own carrier bags as they can get heavy.

After booking online, you’ll be sent a barcoded voucher that you need to show to gain entry – either by smartphone or printed.

Only seven people per car/household – including an adults and children – are allowed on site and only card payments are being accepted.

See www.thefruitfields.co.uk for more.

Green Dragon Eco Farm

The Green Dragon Rare Breeds Farm and Eco Centre is a little further away – in Hogshaw, between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury – but is well worth the trip for a special day out.

There will be a Halloween takeover during Half Term – from October 23 to 31, you can pick your own pumpkin and decorate it, take part in spooky slime-making workshops, enjoy a scarecrow trail, get your face painted and meet some dressed-up characters.

The messy barn will be transformed into a spooky spectacular. If you book a slot for the pumpkin experience, wizards will be on hand to guide you through the pumpkin patch.

All staff will be in fancy dress – so why not prepare you best scary outfit and join in the fun?

The Pumpkin Experience is included for paid child farm admission tickets. For Under 2s or Members, a £1.50 per pumpkin charge will apply. Farm admission is £11.50 for adults and £10.50 for children.

See greendragonecofarm.co.uk to book tickets.