Pumpkin Picking at Arnprior Farm

Scotland's original pumpkin patch has been drawing families out to the village of Arnprior, twenty minutes west of Stirling, for years, and it has grown into a proper autumn day out rather than a quick stop to grab a pumpkin. One ticket covers the car, so a family of five pays the same as a couple, and everyone inside gets the run of the field, the barn and the activity area.

The patch itself is the main event. Rows of pumpkins run across the field in every size from munchkins at £1.50 up to the big carving pumpkins at £12, and you pick straight from the ground with a barrow. Paths through the field are gravel, so wellies are the sensible call after rain, though the catering area and barn are firm underfoot and fine for prams and wheelchairs.

Beyond the picking there is plenty to keep children busy. The indoor straw barn is the wet weather backstop, there is a bale mountain to climb, and the pumpkin cannon, at £2 to £5 a go, is the thing most children want to do twice. Quad pod rides run at £3.50, and the crafting area covers face painting, glitter tattoos and badge making. A bouncy castle rounds it out.

Food is a genuine strength. Nine or so vendors set up across the season, from Lutis Pizza and Skinners burgers through to Fallen Tree coffee and Duncans Donuts, and they cater for dietary requirements.

Dogs are welcome on a lead. Book a slot in advance, because weekends sell out, and pick an early one if you want the field before it gets busy. Accessible toilets and baby changing are on site, and disabled parking is available if you flag it on arrival.