Pumpkin Woods at Garden King

A three hundred metre stretch of woodland does the work here. Garden King turns its trail into an autumn adventure filled with pumpkins, and you choose yours as you go rather than crossing an open field, which makes for a gentler outing with small children and a more interesting one for anyone who likes being under trees.

Along the route there are spooky scenes, face cut-outs, photo opportunities and a mysterious tunnel, with activity sheets available for children to work through as they walk. Pumpkins are picked from the trail itself and taken home, and the pricing is refreshingly simple: every pumpkin costs the same whatever its size or weight, and they are paid for on top of the ticket.

Optional extras are booked separately and cost more. They include bear making, sand art, marshmallow toasting, candy floss and bungee trampolines, and there is a combined ticket that pairs the trail with a group bear-making activity, though the choice of bears may vary. Wild Woods soft play is on the same site and is booked in two-hour sessions.

One thing to weigh up before you set off. Garden King says the woodland trail follows natural pathways and may be difficult for wheelchairs and pushchairs in places, and pushchair parking is provided for that reason. Suitable clothing and sensible footwear are advised. Dogs are welcome on the trail. Tickets are booked through Garden King's own DigiTickets portal, and setting up an account lets you change your booking up to 12 hours before your visit.