Where can you pick your own pumpkins in North Devon this half term?

Pick your own pumpkins at patches across North Devon and Torridge in the run up to Halloween and during October half term, such as at Pill Fields near Barnstaple, pictured here. | Pill Fields

placeholder image — Pick your own pumpkins at patches across North Devon and Torridge in the run up to Halloween and during October half term, such as at Pill Fields near Barnstaple, pictured here. | Pill Fields

Seven venues across North Devon and Torridge are opening their fields for families to choose their own Halloween pumpkins – read on for where to go, when and what it will cost…

With Halloween just two short weeks away, we’ve pulled together a round up of the region’s pumpkin patches where families can pick and choose their own ready for carving to greet the spooky season.

Pumpkin season is in full swing across North Devon and Torridge, with some patches open this weekend and most venues gearing up for October half term, which runs from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 1.

Two patches are open this weekend and by half term families will have a choice of farm fields around the area, a seasonal pop-up on the edge of Barnstaple, a school farm at Pilton and pumpkins plus a theme park day out at The Big Sheep near Bideford. Most patches don’t charge an entry fee, with visitors paying only for the pumpkins they take home.

Just a very few of the pumpkins ready to pick at Pilton Community Farm next to Pilton College and Pathfield School – the pumpkin patches will be open to the public every morning during half term week. | North Devon Today

If you’re ready to carve and create your own pumpkin designs well in advance of Halloween, there are three patches you can visit this weekend – Pills Fields at Barnstaple, Weston Farm at East Knowstone and Woolmers Farm in Bickington.

Read on for the full list of pumpkin patches across the area. Please note: Every effort has been made to research all pick-your-own pumpkin venues, but if we have missed you out, please email the details and any links to your website or social media to [email protected] and we will update the list!

North Devon pumpkins

Pill Fields, Barnstaple

Run by Jon and Jo Gay just off the A39 link road at the Bishops Tawton roundabout, Pill Fields has hundreds of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes to pick, plus a photo-opportunity sofa for the family album. There is no entry fee: you pay on the gate for what you take away.

• When: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, then daily from Saturday, October 24 to Saturday, October 31

• Times: 10am to 4pm

• Cost: Free entry. Guide prices: ornamental £2, small £3, medium £5, large £7, monster £10 (prices vary by variety)

• Booking: Not required

• Where: Bishops Tawton Road, Barnstaple, EX32 9EL (what3words: ///trend.lots.lungs)

• More info: https://pillfields.com

There will be plenty of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes to pick at Pill Fields near Barnstaple from Saturday, October 17. | Pill Fields

Woolmers Farm, Bickington

The farm on the western edge of Barnstaple pairs pick-your-own pumpkins with tractor rides, an indoor patch for toddlers, face painting, bouncy castles and hot and cold food plus a farm shop. Entry is by a £1-per-car donation, with the proceeds going to Children's Hospice South West.

• When: Sunday, October 18, then daily from Saturday, October 24 to Friday, October 30

• Times: 10am to 4pm on Sunday, October 18. Check the farm's Facebook page for half-term times

• Cost: £1 per car (donated to Little Bridge House Children's Hospice)

• Where: Woolmers Farm, North Lane, Bickington, Barnstaple, EX31 2JN

• More info: Woolmers' Farm on Facebook

Weston Farm, East Knowstone

Set on a working farm just off the A361 between South Molton and Tiverton, Weston Farm's patch comes with pumpkin carving, pig feeding, farm animals, tractors, photo spots and face painting (small extra charge). An undercover barn keeps things going in bad weather. Hot food comes from Boulangère Bros, made with the farm's own beef, lamb, pork and vegetables, with cakes from Alana's Cakes and free cold drinks for children.

• When: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, then daily from Saturday, October 24 to Saturday, October 31

• Times: 10am to 4pm

• Cost: Free entry; pay for the pumpkins you pick on the day. Cash and card accepted

• Booking: Free tickets via Ticket Tailor at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westonfarm1/2393455

• Where: Weston Farm, East Knowstone, South Molton, EX36 4ED (parking what3words: ///cracks.twitches.apples)

• Good to know: Toilets, an accessible toilet and baby changing are on site. Boots are a must and the farm may close early if pumpkins sell out

Quince Honey Farm, South Molton

The honey farm's pumpkin patch opens for three days only in half term. Bring wellies and a bag for a walk through the fields to choose your Jack-o'-lantern. Families can also visit the farm’s Apple and Honey Harvest, with apple-pressing demonstrations and heather honey extraction, or the Play Hive indoor and outdoor play areas (admission applies to both). If you’re feeling hungry or fancy a hot drink, The Nectary Restaurant will be open too.

• When: Monday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 28

• Times: 10am to 4pm

• Cost: Free entry, pay per pumpkin on the day

• Booking: Not needed

• Where: Quince Honey Farm, South Molton, EX36 3RD

• More info: https://quincehoneyfarm.co.uk

Pumpkin fun for all ages this October half term at Quince Honey Farm, South Molton. | Quince Honey Farm

West Ashford Farm, Ashford, near Barnstaple

This family-run farm between Braunton and Barnstaple opens its pumpkin patch for the whole of half term, with the farm promising a ripe crop ready to pick. Its maize maze is still standing this year too, so visitors can get lost among the crops before choosing their pumpkin.

• When: Saturday, October 24 to Saturday, October 31

• Times: To be confirmed. Check the farm's Facebook or Instagram pages before travelling

• Where: West Ashford Barton, Ashford, Barnstaple, EX31 4DB (follow the signs from the postcode)

• More info: West Ashford Farm pumpkin patch and maze on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/westashfordfarm or call 01271 375378

Pilton Community Farm, Barnstaple

The community farm, tucked behind Pathfield School and run with Pilton Community College, is inviting families to pick their own pumpkins over half term. Prices are pocket-money friendly, so this is the budget pick of the list and every pumpkin picked supports the farm, which offers education and outdoor activities for students. Other fruit and veg produce will be for sale too, as well as the opportunity to pick your own dahlias.

• When: Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31

• Times: 10am to 12pm (mornings only)

• Cost: Small £1, medium £2, large £3

• Where: Turn off Abbey Road beside Pathfield School, Barnstaple. The gates will be open during half term, with parking near the farm entrance. On foot, take the footpath just off Abbey Road beside Pathfield School, which runs past the farm entrance

• Good to know: The farm gate is some distance from the main Pilton Community College entrance, so don't follow sat-nav or signs to the college itself, head for Abbey Road instead

• More info: https://www.piltoncollege.org.uk/about-us/pilton-community-farm or the Pilton College Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pilton.community.college

Pumpkins await at Pilton Community Farm, plus other produce for sale and pick your own dahlias too. | North Devon Today

Torridge pumpkins

The BIG Sheep, Abbotsham, near Bideford

Torridge's main pick-your-own option comes as part of The BIG Sheep's Halloween half term programme. Visitors pick a pumpkin, carve it and take it home for £3, alongside Monster Glow Parties, fancy dress prizes, Halloween games, live animal shows including the Sheep Race, Duck Trials and the hilarious Sheepy Show, plus thrilling and gentle rides, jumping pillows and indoor play. A Baby Sensory Room caters for the youngest visitors.

Plus there are five days of fun with the Halloween Toddler Takeover on October 17, 18, 19, 21 and 23.

• When: Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, November 1

• Times: 10am to 5pm

• Cost: £3 per pumpkin (pick, carve and take home), on top of standard park admission

• Booking: Pumpkins should be pre-booked online with admission tickets

• Where: Abbotsham, Bideford, EX39 5AP

• More info: https://thebigsheep.co.uk

Sheep stand guard over the pumpkins at The BIG Sheep near Bideford, ready to be 'picked' and carved as part of the attraction's Halloween Festival fun. | The Big Sheep

What to know before you go pumpkin picking

• Dress for mud. Several venues are working fields in late October, so wellies or sturdy boots are a good idea.

• Check before you travel. Small patches can sell out or close early in bad weather, so check each venue's website or social media on the day.

• Bring a bag (or wheelbarrow!). Some patches may not supply bags or barrows and a monster pumpkin is quite heavy!

• Card or cash? Most venues take both, but a little cash is handy at smaller farms.

Don't bin the pumpkin insides

Thousands of tonnes of edible pumpkin go to waste in the UK every Halloween, but the flesh you scoop out before carving is good to eat too!

Chunks of pumpkin will thicken and sweeten a hearty stew or curry, blend into a warming autumn soup, or roast alongside a Sunday joint. It also works in risotto, pasta sauces and sweet bakes such as pumpkin pie, bread or muffins.

Don't throw away the seeds either: rinse off the stringy pulp, toss them in a little oil and salt and roast for 15 to 20 minutes for a crunchy snack.

But make sure you scoop and cook the flesh on carving day - once a lantern has been sitting outside with a candle inside for a week, it's best sent off to the compost heap!

If you own or know of a pick-your-own pumpkin patch in North Devon or Torridge that we've missed, please let us know by emailing [email protected]