Last Updated on 21 October 2025 by Colette
[I am updating this post regularly with suggestions of where to go pumpkin picking in York and the surrounding area in 2025 as information and reviews become available but do check with individual venues!]
Pumpkin picking has become a real trend in recent years – a definite October half term / Halloween activity that has become tradition for many families in recent years!
Pumpkin picking experiences can vary wildly – I’ve seen some places literally just lay out rows of nice clean pumpkins in the field for you to pick up and buy whereas others are a more “genuine” experience where the pumpkin has grown in said field and actually is now ready to be removed from the plant! Either way, it’s a step up from grabbing a pumpkin from Tesco at the last minute and a great seasonal day out.
Some pumpkin picking places literally offer you a “pick your own” experience with maybe a cafe serving snacks and hot drinks however, increasingly picking your pumpkin is part of a wider experience involving carving the pumpkin on site and taking part in other Halloween themed activities. (Check out this post about Halloween days out in York)
Don’t forget – pumpkin picking is very much an outdoor activity and usually based in muddy feels so dress appropriately! (You can read about our favourite outdoor clothing brands here!)
If you’re looking for a pumpkin picking adventure in York and the surrounding area, here’s what’s on:
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The Balloon Tree, Gate Helmsley, YO41 1NB – from late September through October 2025
The Balloon Tree is a fantastic place to pick all sorts of seasonal fruit and veg – strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries and of course pumpkins! For me, the Balloon Tree feels like a true pick your own experience rather than an over hyped Halloween event – you go into the field to choose your own pumpkin and pay according to size – this year The Balloon Tree will have a range of special varieties of pumpkin including Polar Bear which are bright white, Gladiator which grow very large and Spitfire which are tiny. (you can even borrow a wheelbarrow to get your pumpkin to your car if you need to!)
While you’re there, I recommend popping into the Farm Shop for a nose and enjoying a cake in the café. There’s also a small play area for little ones.
Tickets for pumpkin picking at The Balloon Tree need to be pre-booked online – there is a £1.50 per person entry fee. Do check with The Balloon Tree for further details.
Pumpkin Fest at Spilmans, Church Farm, Thirsk YO7 3NB – Weekends from Saturday 27th September then Friday 24th to Friday 31st October 2025
Spilmans Pumpkin Patch near Thirsk have got 125,000 pumpkins grown on site a their family-run farm, ready for you to pick! They’ve planned out plenty of photo opportunities for you around the farm too – because have you even been to a pumpkin patch if you haven’t posted about it on instagram?!
Spllmans host their Pumpkin Fest, special “Pumpkin Nights” with live music and a more stripped back “back to basics” event for those who simply want to enjoy the pumpkin patch.
If you book now, you’ll receive a £5 per person credit to spend on pumpkins or activities.
Pre-book your PYO experience at Spillmans from £7.50
You can read more about pumpkin picking at Spilmans here:
Spilman’s Farm Pumpkin Picking Tips – North East Family Fun
PYO Pumpkins at Westfield Farm, Sutton on the Forest, YO61 1EN – weekends from Friday 3rd then daily from Friday 17th to Friday 31st October 2025
Westfield Farm’s Pop Up Pumpkin Patch is open through October with plenty of pumpkins in a range of sizes (including giant pumpkins!) There are refreshments available in the shop to warm up afterwards too!
Previously there was no booking or admission fee for Pop Up Patch however you are now required to book a Pumpkin Picking Day Pass priced at £1.50 per person.
Keep an eye on @popup.patch for more updates.
Pumpkin Picking at Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AN – Weekends from Saturday 4th October and then every day from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025
There are thousands of pumpkins waiting to be picked at Stockeld Park this half term! Each child will get a free pumpkin with their entry into the Halloween Adventure event – You must buy a ticket to the Halloween event to be able to access the pumpkin patch at Stockeld Park.
Extra pumpkins are available to purchase. Only £2.50 for any size!
Tickets for Halloween at Stockeld Park can be booked now.
Yorkshire Pumpkins, Lodge Farm, Cundall, York, YO61 2RN – Weekends from Saturday 4th October and then daily from Thursday 23rd to Friday 31st October 2025
For a traditional pumpkin picking experience without all the trappings of Halloween, why not visit Yorkshire Pumpkins who have have thousands of pumpkins to choose from and delicious refreshments for all ages to enjoy. (The pumpkins will be pre-cut for safety!) Pumpkins are priced from £1 to £10 depending on size!
Tickets for pumpkin picking at Yorkshire Pumpkins can be booked now. Tickets cost £1.50 per person.
Halloween Spooktacular at Piglets Adventure Farm, YO32 9ST – October weekends from Saturday 11th October and then daily from Saturday 25th to Friday 31st October 2025
This October you can have lots of fun at Piglets Adventure Farm picking your own pumpkin from the the huge homegrown pumpkin patch – there’s over 10,000 pumpkins to choose from and a range of varieties from Ghost Pumpkins and Atlantic Giant Pumpkins to some funny shaped ones too! You can carve them on site in the special Pumpkin Carving Tent too!
Every paying child receives a voucher for a small pumpkin from Farmer Ed’s Pumpkin Patch (worth £2.00).
*Larger pumpkins are available to purchase at an additional cost.
Tickets for Piglets Adventure Farm Halloween Spooktacular must be pre-booked online and are priced from £16.95 for children including a pumpkin and from £15.95 for adults.
Bert’s Barrow Farm, Hillam, North Yorkshire, LS25 5NQ – throughout October 2025
Bert’s Barrow Farm at Austfield Farm, Hillam have a PYO pumpkin patch with a wide variety of pumpkins to pick, a mini scarecrow trail, a pumpkin carving barn and mini fairground this October.
There is no charge for entry to the PYO pumpkin, you just pay for what you pick (with pumpkins priced from £1). Entry to the pumpkin activity barn is charged at £4 per child. The event is not currently ticketed but do keep an eye on the website and social media as they may change this depending on the weather conditions or pumpkin availability.
For more information: www.bertsbarrow.co.uk.
Below you’ll find a list of places which had pumpkin patches in York last year which I have not yet confirmed for 2025 but I’m updating this post as quickly as possible! If you know of a PYO Pumpkin event in York that I’ve not included, please let me know!
Pumpkin Picking at Castle Howard, Malton, YO60 7DA – October 2025 not confirmed
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
The Castle Howard Pumpkin Patch returns for autumn 2024 and is open daily from Tuesday 1st October offering the perfect autumnal expedition for all the family, whether your carving one up to scare the neighbours, or cooking one up for a pie!
Castle Howard have a range of small, medium and large pumpkins priced at £3, £5 and £7 or micro-pumpkins (which frankly are my favourite) are £1.50 each.
Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is free of charge, and can be accessed through the Castle Howard Garden Centre. There’s no need to book, just turn up, pick up a wheelbarrow and then head off in search of your pumpkin.
- Web’oween at The Web Adventure Park, YO32 2RH – No event details for 2025
- Pumpkin Patch at Yorkshire Lavender, Terrington, YO60 6PB – No event for 2025
Where else can I go pumpkin picking near me?
If you know of a fabulous pumpkin picking experience in the York area then let me know and I’ll add all the details in! And why not check out these list of spooky Halloween days out in York or Halloween days out in Leeds next!
If you fancy travelling further afield then you’ll find recommendations for pumpkin patches near Manchester here.
Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of publishing but do check directly with individual venues to confirm!
If Halloween isn’t really your thing, why not check out our suggestions of things do this half term that are nothing to do with Halloween! or if you’re already looking ahead to the festive season you’ll find details of the best places to visit Father Christmas in York here or some great ideas for festive days out in Manchester here.
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