Pumpkin Picking at High Legh

Every pumpkin in this field was planted and looked after by the local team who run it, which is not something every patch can claim. More than twenty-five varieties are grown here, priced from £2 and rising with size, and the opening weekend brings out a limited number of genuinely huge ones.

The patch is free to visit and there is nothing to book. Where it stands out is in the sessions built around different families. On 10 and 11 October it opens an hour early, for children and adults with additional needs who find a quieter, less over-stimulating time easier to manage.

Friday evenings from 9 October turn the field into candlelit picking after dark. The paths are lit, but bringing a torch is advised. Through half term, from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, a golden pumpkin is hidden in the patch each day, and whoever finds it takes home a barrow full.

On the practical side, the field is reached straight from the parking area and should be manageable with a suitable wheelchair or pushchair, though it can get very muddy, and a member of the team will gladly help anyone struggling with access. Wellies, appropriate clothing and a strong carrier bag are worth packing. Dogs are welcome, and there is a pumpkin spa on site so you can wash everything before it goes in the boot.