Perfect Pick Your Own Pumpkins in Norfolk: Where to Go for Family Fun
If you’re absolutely fruit-loopy about anything autumnal or spooky, the crisp October air has probably already got you thinking about where to find a pick your own pumpkin patch in Norfolk. The nights are drawing in and nothing says “seasonal fun” quite like a trip to a pumpkin patch to nab the best pumpkin to showcase your undiscovered carving skills. Whether you’re simply after the perfect pumpkin for carving, looking to enjoy some festive family activities, or simply want to revel in the rustic charm of nature’s bounty across Norfolk, these pumpkin patches deliver it all. Here’s our pick of the best places to consider nearby in and around Norwich and Norfolk.
Ha Ha Farm Pumpkin Patch, Blofield, Norwich
HaHa Farm Pumpkin Patch is a family-run location located near Blofield and Lingwood. Known for its huge expanses of good old-fashioned muddy fields with a variety of pumpkins ranging in all shapes and sizes, this pumpkin patch is the perfect pit stop for families in the beautiful Norfolk countryside. The farm offers ample parking in their car park just beside the farm. There’s a friendly atmosphere, with plenty of crafts like creepy cookie making and potion crafting, woodland trails and numerous purveyors of food and hot chocolate, making it ideal for families with young children. We’re secretly hoping they’re still making their adult “boozy” hot chocolates too this year – perfect to warm the soul.
The team at HaHa Farm is also known for its authentic countryside charm, using the land tastefully for events throughout the year – check out their Instagram for details. Visitors are free to wander through the field, pick their pumpkins and take the opportunity just to slow down and enjoy the season’s harvest. Last year got pretty slippy in the mud, so take care with pushchairs and maybe take your wellies!
Dates for the 2024 PYO pumpkin season at HaHa are 12-31st October 2024 10am to 4pm. It’s important to note that, due to roadworks, visitors will need to turn off the A47 at the Blofield Shell roundabout and take the Yarmouth Road into Blofield. Other directions will have significant detours while the dualling of the A47 continues.
Facilities: Ample parking, family-friendly.
Activities: Pick-your-own pumpkins, face paints, storytime, spooky crafts, scavenger hunts and a scenic countryside escape.
Food & Drink: A selection on site, or bring your own to enjoy a picnic.
Wroxham Barns, Hoveton, Norfolk
A favourite with families all year round, Wroxham Barns offers a wonderful free to enter Pumpkin Festival that’s not to be missed on the weekends of 12th/13th October and 19th/20th October 2024. Their pick-your-own pumpkin patch provides a wide selection that are priced individually, and the setting is perfect for a varied family day out. Not only can you find your perfect pumpkin, but you can also enjoy plenty of other activities for kids, including the Junior Farm, which lets little ones get hands-on with farm animals. There’s also a great selection of crafts and shopping in the onsite barns and a warm, inside cafe away from the elements if it gets too cold.
Wroxham Barns is a fully equipped family-friendly destination with parking, toilets and baby-changing facilities, and a fantastic restaurant serving up hearty seasonal fare to warm you up after a busy day of pumpkin picking.
Facilities: Substantial parking on solid ground, indoor and outdoor dining options, wheelchair-accessible, shops.
Activities: Junior Farm, mini-golf, crafting and carving areas and shopping options.
Food & Drink: Café serving hot food and seasonal snacks.
Pettitt’s Animal Park, Reedham, Norfolk
Pettitt’s Animal Park in Reedham takes pumpkin picking to the next level by combining it with a day out at the zoo. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and range of fun activities, including animal encounters, fairground rides, miniature train rides and shows, Pettitt’s is a great all-in-one day out for kids of all ages. Having grown up in this neck of the woods, I highly recommend visiting this venue at least once, especially if you’re looking to take in a stroll by the riverside in Reedham or visit the Humpty Dumpty Taproom next door for a half pint of their amazing brews – they’re celebrating 25 years, this year! During the autumn months, Pettitt’s transforms with Halloween decorations and a fun pumpkin patch where kids can pick their own pumpkins to take home.
The park offers plenty of facilities, including a huge parking area on a field nearby (approximately a 1-minute walk to the park gate) and food options, making it easy for families to enjoy the day without the hassle. It’s a perfect place to get into the autumn spirit while also experiencing the excitement of the animals housed within.
Facilities: Extensive Parking, toilets, wheelchair accessible.
Activities: Animal encounters, fairground rides, shows, pick-your-own pumpkins.
Food & Drink: Onsite café with a variety of meals and snacks.
The Tacons, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
For a more traditional pumpkin-picking experience, head to The Tacons in Rolesby near Great Yarmouth. This family-run farm has been a staple of Norfolk for generations, with a variety of PYO experiences for Norfolk explorers hosted throughout the year. They open up their fields at weekends, 10am to 4pm, for pumpkin picking throughout the whole of the October spook season. Additionally, they extend their access to daily for the school holidays onwards. The farm offers a wide selection of pumpkins, including different sizes and varieties, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your Halloween display.
Alongside pumpkin picking, The Tacons also offers freshly harvested vegetables and local produce in their farm shop. Parking is free and convenient, and the farm’s relaxed atmosphere makes it a great spot to enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the countryside.
Facilities: Parking, farm shop with local produce.
Activities: Pick-your-own pumpkins, fresh produce shopping.
Food & Drink: Local produce available for purchase.
Algy’s Farm, Bintree, Dereham
Algy’s Farm in Bintree, near Dereham, is another popular dog friendly PYO destination for pumpkin picking in Norfolk. Algy’s prides itself on offering a wide variety of pumpkins, including ten delectable varieties of squash for eating. Inflation here is also on the sensible side of things, with 75p being the price entry point for even the smallest of pocket money budgets.
Visitors can enjoy the farm’s seasonal favourites such as homemade cakes, soups, and hot drinks, making it an excellent pit stop after a fun session of pumpkin picking with a special pizza provision over the half term hols too! The 2024 season opens up here from 1st October, Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Sundays see them closing at 4pm.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, farm shop.
Activities: Pick-your-own pumpkins, fancy dress welcomed, farm shop for local produce.
Food & Drink: Café offering seasonal homemade treats, hot dogs, pizzas (select days) and hot drinks.
Pensthorpe Pumpkin Festival, Fakenham
The Pensthorpe Pumpkin Festival in Fakenham is more than just a place to pick your own pumpkins — it’s a relaxing opportunity to slow down and enjoy the wonders of the autumnal outdoors. Pensthorpe, known for its beautiful nature reserve, creates a magical setting for its pumpkin festival. The festival, open from 25th October to 3rd November 2024, includes not only a huge array of PYO pumpkin options but also a variety of seasonal activities, such as pumpkin carving, photo opportunities, nature talks, and nature trails that immerse you in the beauty of the surrounding countryside.
Perfect for families, Pensthorpe offers plenty of parking and excellent facilities, ensuring a comfortable day out. Visitors can pack their picnics or enjoy a vast array of food options on offer both inside and outside at the venue. We highly recommend grabbing a hot drink or a snack from the park’s café and taking a long, slow walk around the gorgeous landscape. It’s worth visiting throughout the year as Pensthorpe is one of our recommended places to see bluebells in Norfolk in the Spring.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, baby change, café, a nature reserve with accessible paths.
Activities: Thousands of pumpkins, nature trails, den building, crafts and indoor play at Hoots.
Food & Drink: Café offering hot drinks and seasonal snacks.
Undley Pumpkin Patch & Maize Maze, Bury St Edmunds
Though just outside Norfolk, the Undley Pumpkin Patch & Maize Maze near Bury St Edmunds is well worth the short drive for those in search of autumnal fun. With one of the largest selections of pumpkins in the region available to pick either from the vine or a pre-picked selection, Undley is the place to go if you’re looking for a variety of shapes and sizes. The halloween-themed maize maze is a major attraction here, offering a fun challenge for kids and adults alike.
In addition to pumpkin picking and the themed maze, Undley offers face painting, huge inflatables, animal-themed “walking” balloons, hayrides, and a farm shop stocked with seasonal produce. The venue is celebrating over 20 years of trading and there’s ample parking, and the festive atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for families looking to embrace the Halloween spirit. Undley is open from now, each weekend, and then daily throughout the school holidays until 31st October 2024. Tickets can be booked via their website.
Facilities: Parking, toilets, farm shop.
Activities: Pick-your-own pumpkins, maize maze, hayrides, face painting, balloons, carving and giant inflatables.
Food & Drink: Seasonal snacks and refreshments are available onsite.
Hirsty’s Halloween Hoot, Hemsby
From 19th October, Halloween adventure is on offer packed with family-friendly fun at Hirsty’s Halloween Hoot in Hemsby. The event runs at the weekends and then daily from 26th October to 3rd of November 2024 and features an impressive variety of pumpkins alongside many other activities. There’s a giant maize maze, tractor rides, zip lines, an outdoor play park and pumpkin-themed games, it’s a fantastic day out for kids.
The farm also provides plenty of parking and an onsite café where you can grab a bite after an action-packed day. Things are done slightly differently here with each paying entrant getting a free pumpkin to take away after enjoying their time on the farmland.
Facilities: Parking, Toilets.
Activities: Maize maze, tractor rides, pumpkin-themed games, pick-your-own pumpkins, play park.
Food & Drink: Onsite café with hot meals and seasonal snacks.
The Pumpkin House, Thursford
The Pumpkin House in Thursford is one of the most unique and Instagrammable pumpkin patches in Norfolk. With its iconic Pumpkin House structure made from hundreds of orange pumpkins stacked high within a timber-framed structure, this dog-friendly location makes for an incredible photo opportunity and experience.
The Pumpkin House is located in a remote spot where the focus here is very much on creating a magical pumpkin-picking experience with all pumpkins handily priced by size. Open every upcoming weekend in October 2024, and then 24th to 31st inclusively, the venue is a wonderful stop for anyone looking to spook up their autumn. A special fancy dress competition is in play here from 11am on 31st of October, alongside other joyful activities like face painting, spooky shops, a maize maze and even vendors for hot soup and a farm-to-fork inspired pumpkin cake.
Facilities: Parking, photo opportunities.
Activities: Pick-your-own pumpkins, seasonal photo spots.
Food & Drink: Some popup food and drink offerings, but plenty of options nearby in Thursford.
Sustainable PYO Pumpkin Fun in Norfolk
Pumpkin picking in Norfolk offers more than just a fun day out – it’s a chance to embrace the autumn season, connect with the countryside, and bring home a piece of the harvest. Whether you visit a traditional farm like The Tacons or indulge in a wider family experience at Pensthorpe, each pumpkin patch offers its own unique charm and a great opportunity for families to get muddy, have fun and make memories.
But as you pick your perfect pumpkin, remember that these autumnal treasures don’t have to be just for decoration. Many of the varieties you’ll find are edible and perfect for cooking up seasonal dishes that help reduce food waste. Once Halloween is over, try making warming spiced pumpkin soups from the flesh, crunchy pumpkin crisps from the skin, or even sweet pumpkin cakes from your leftovers. Not only does this make the most of your pumpkins, but it also ensures they don’t go to waste once the festivities are done.
By getting creative in the kitchen, you can enjoy the full bounty of the season while doing your bit for the environment. So, pack up your wellies, enjoy the pumpkin patches, and when you’re done, be sure to let us know how you turn them into tempting treats.
