Pumpkin Picking at Hallcourt Farm

Ten thousand seeds went into the ground here in the spring, across five acres, and what comes out of it in October is a field of Racer, Polar, Becky and Fireball pumpkins with Goosebump and Winter squashes mixed in. That is a lot of choice for a child with firm views about shape.

Carving and decorating come with the ticket, which is less usual than it sounds, and they happen inside a Halloween-dressed, oak-framed barn rather than at a trestle table in the wind. Outside there is giant hay bale play, outdoor games, photo spots, a fancy dress competition and a homemade trail of roughly half a kilometre through the woods, decorated by hand. Wheelbarrows are provided, which matters once a four-year-old has chosen something they cannot lift.

The farm reckons the event best suits children aged roughly two to ten, and the shape of a visit backs that up. Arrival is by timed slot, parking is free and on site, and baby changing is available if you ask. Wellies and waterproofs are worth packing, because this is a working field in late October.

Dogs are not normally allowed, with two exceptions: dog-friendly days run on Sunday 25 and Wednesday 28 October. Pumpkins are paid for separately by size, and pumpkin slingshots, face painting, marshmallow roasting and the cafe are all paid extras on the day, so it is worth deciding in advance how much of that you are saying yes to.