Pumpkin Picking at Grange Farm Lowton

Stilt walkers, fire eaters and clowns are not standard issue at a pumpkin patch. Grange Farm treats its Pumpkin Festival as a proper event, with music and shows running through the day and a fun fair alongside the field, so the picking is one part of a bigger afternoon rather than the whole of it.

Entry works by timed slot. The first slot each day is at 10am and each one lasts two hours, which is long enough to do the field, the carving tent and a circuit of the fair without hurrying anyone along. Tickets for each session are limited and pre-booking is essential; the pumpkin field itself shuts at 4.45pm.

Out in the field, pumpkins are paid for separately from the entry ticket, and there is a range of sizes to choose between, from minis upwards. A carving tent is set up on site for anyone who would rather not carry that job home. Set-piece photo spots are dotted around, and there are farm animals to meet between rides.

Food is well covered. Stalls sell autumn treats and hot drinks throughout the festival, the farm shop stays open to browse, and The Barn, the restaurant on site, runs alongside the event for anyone who wants a proper sit-down meal rather than something eaten standing up.

One piece of advice comes from the farm itself: wear wellies. This is a working field in late October, and the ground will show it.