Last Updated on 10 September 2026 by Colette
[I am updating this post regularly with suggestions of where to go pumpkin picking in York and the surrounding area in 2026 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 Sunday 27th September through October 2026
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 26th September then Friday 23rd to Friday 30th October 2026
Spilmans Pumpkin Patch near Thirsk will celebrate their 10th anniversary this October with 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 – October 2026 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
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 – every weekend in October and daily from Saturday 24th October to Saturday 31st October 2026
There are thousands of pumpkins waiting to be picked at Stockeld Park this half term! You must buy a ticket to the Halloween event to be able to access the pumpkin patch at Stockeld Park.
Entry to the Pumpkin Patch is included with your Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure ticket, along with a tractor-trailer ride out to the patch. You can also walk to the pumpkin field, which takes around 5–7 minutes. Pumpkins themselves are not included in your ticket price and are available to buy for an additional charge.
Your Halloween Adventure ticket also includes the Woodland Witches trail through the Enchanted Forest, the Monster Maze and six outdoor playgrounds. Zombie Laser Tag is available as an optional extra.
Tickets for Halloween at Stockeld Park go on sale on Friday 4th September 2026.
Yorkshire Pumpkins, Lodge Farm, Cundall, York, YO61 2RN – Weekends from Saturday 3rd October and then daily from Thursday 22nd to Saturday 31st October 2026
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 £2 per person.
Halloween Spooktacular at Piglets Adventure Farm, YO32 9ST – October 2026 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
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 2026
Bert’s Barrow at Austfield Farm, Hillam is a family-run PYO pumpkin patch within easy reach of Leeds, York and Wetherby. The family are already growing their pumpkins ready for the 2026 season, although opening dates and prices haven’t yet been announced.
Bert’s Barrow Farm grow a wide variety of pumpkins to pick (over 80,000) as well as a mini scarecrow trail, a pumpkin carving barn and mini fairground.
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.
Dogs are welcome at the pumpkin patch but must be kept on a lead and, as this is a proper working field, wellies are definitely a good idea!
For more information: www.bertsbarrow.co.uk.
Mallard Grange Farm, Aldfield, Ripon HG4 3BE – from Friday 2nd October 2026
Whilst not quite York, I think it’s close enough to be included!
Mallard Grange Farm kick off their PYO Pumpkin Patch season on Friday 2 October 2026 with an Oktoberfest-themed event and twilight picking from noon until 8pm. Further October dates are still to be announced.
It’s a relatively straightforward PYO rather than a huge Halloween attraction: lots of pumpkin and gourd varieties, pumpkins priced £1–£15, no booking required, refreshments, parking and toilets. It’s dog friendly, although dogs aren’t allowed amongst the pumpkins.
The Pumpkin Patch At Bewholme, Homeland Farm, Bewholme, Driffield YO25 8DX – weekends from 3rd October then daily from 22nd to Saturday 31st October 2026
This is a little further from York out towards the East Yorkshire coast but it’s a substantial proper pumpkin farm with 45+ varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squashes, all grown there so definitely worth a look.
Make sure you check out the pizza and pumpkin specials too!
Admission is £2 per person, under-2s free, with no booking required.
Web’oween at The Web Adventure Park, YO32 2RH – Selected dates from Saturday 10th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
Head to The Web Adventure Park in York this October for Web’oween, a full day of Halloween fun including a pumpkin patch where you can choose your own pumpkin, take plenty of pumpkin patch photos and carve your pumpkin on site too.
Pumpkins are not included in your admission ticket and are available to buy separately, but the rest of the Web’oween activities are included.
Web’oween is designed to be fun rather than frightening, making this a good pumpkin picking option for families with younger children.
Book tickets for Web’oween at The Web Adventure Park
Below you’ll find a list of places which had pumpkin patches in York last year which I have not yet confirmed for 2026 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 2026 not confirmed
The information below relates to a previous event and will be updated as soon as information becomes 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.
- Pumpkin Patch at Yorkshire Lavender, Terrington, YO60 6PB – No event for 2026
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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