Pumpkin Picking at Cannon Hall Farm

Pick your own straight from a patch the farm says holds almost 10,000 pumpkins, then decorate what you have picked for free in the crafting zone. That decorating is indoors, which is useful cover on a wet October afternoon at this award-winning family farm near Barnsley.

The patch is open on selected dates in October only rather than every day, so it is worth confirming that the date you want is running before you plan the rest of the weekend around it. You can head into the patch at any point in the day before it closes, which leaves the rest of your time for the farm.

Admission also covers the indoor and outdoor playgrounds, and animal talks run through the day as part of the visit. That mix is what turns this into a full afternoon rather than a quick pick, and three or four hours is a fair allowance if you want to see the animals as well as fill a barrow.

Pumpkins are no longer included with admission and are added when you book. Every pumpkin is a flat £3 whatever its size or weight, and there is no limit on how many you pick, so the giant one costs the same as the small one. All tickets have to be booked in advance online. The farm does not discount tickets for disabled visitors but permits one carer free of charge, with proof such as a DLA or PIP letter, a Blue Badge or medical certification shown on arrival. Max Card holders get buy one get one free on up to four tickets, and the physical card has to be shown.