Bell's Pumpkin Patch, Benington, Boston

2026 is the tenth year of Bell's, which makes it Lincolnshire's original pumpkin patch, and it has grown into what it now calls the East of England's largest and original, pulling over 20,000 visitors a season. What sets it apart from most patches is that Bell's is a grower first: every pumpkin on site is raised on the family's own Lincolnshire farm, and it grows over 300 varieties of pumpkin and squash, all of which turn up in the Pumpkin Outlet shop and the Pumpkin Market alongside the pick your own field. Admission covers a genuinely long list, well over 20 things: the pumpkin patch, the maize maze, bounce and climb areas with straw pits, a Tiny Tots play area, potato catapults, ride on tractors, an assault course, garden games, cheek art, circus skills shows from entertainer Adrian on unicycle and stilts, singing pumpkins, giant pumpkins from the annual growing competition, photo display stations and the Makers Market of local craft, jewellery, homeware and food. Extras are clearly priced: tractor rides £4, the pumpkin cannon £6 with every penny going to charity partner Haven Domestic Abuse Service, pumpkin carving £2.50 with a kit to keep, and funfair tokens at £3 or four for £10.

Bell's claims the UK's biggest pumpkin cannon, which can fire a pumpkin over a quarter of a mile. New for the tenth year are fresh photo stations, a walkabout performer and, on 17 and 18 October only, a Transported Art installation of handmade lanterns by local artists. It is busy and it is loud, with music across the site, so if your family finds that hard, aim for an early slot on a weekday. Bell's has laid hardstanding to help prams and wheelchairs, but the field areas are still field areas and turn muddy. Wellies, as the venue puts it, are always a good shout.