Best Places for Pumpkin Picking in the North East

If you follow me on Instagram you will know we do love a good pumpkin in our house. I’ve always admired the Pinterest-worthy snaps of picturesque Pumpkin patches over in the US and have spent the last few years trying to emulate those beautiful scenes here in England. Let’s face it, ‘Fall’ isn’t quite as beautiful over here as it is in slightly warmer climates – it’s often a case of slightly-more-soggy, slightly-less-bronzed babes searching for their fave orange veg, but hey, we make it work.

I’m yet to find an actual pumpkin patch (where you actually pick them from the plant!) within a couple of hours of our home here in Teesside but the beautiful spots we have found still make for a super cute few hours out and a perfect photo opportunity!

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1. The Whole Hogg Farm – Maltby, Yorkshire

We’ve visited the lovely folks over at The Whole Hogg in Maltby for two years running now. Here you’ll find a beautiful tea room (the carrot cake is amazing, just ask Nora), a traditional butchers and a huge selection of home grown and locally sourced produce. They also have the sweetest little paddock filled with llamas, shetland ponies and my absolute fave, pygmy goats. Here are some of our snaps from this year and last, including my absolute favourite, the white and green pumpkins. All of the pumpkins are pre picked and available to buy, I’ve also spotted on their Facebook that they’ve set up a field so you can head there and select your own, almost like the real thing!

On our visit to the Whole Hogg this year we also filmed a little video. This is my first venture into vlogging so go easy on my editing skills but it was such a lovely day out and I’m glad we have this to look back on!

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2. North Shire – Saltburn by the Sea

North Shire is a bit like something you conjured up in your fairytale-loving mind as a kid. Think gypsy caravans, hay bales, an actual hobbit house you can stay in – and obviously an abundance of pumpkins! Again, these pumpkins have been carefully placed in a field and you can borrow the most adorable green cart to collect your most favourite orange friend in. Who am I kidding, you can also pop your babes in there and get some super cute snaps! Definitely wrap up warm though, that sea breeze is a killer! North Shire Pumpkin Patch is open throughout October from 10.30am and they even have a barn dedicated to spooky pumpkin crafts and some tasty treats thrown in too.

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3. York Maze – York

We bloody love York Maze! It’s amazing in the summer but I think it totally comes into it’s own at Halloween. Opening tomorrow, 21st October and running throughout half term you can really get into the halloween spirit. Check out the biggest pumpkins you’re ever likely to see in your entire life (and take numerous pictures of your child sat on one, obv) at their annual pumpkin growing competition, enter the pumpkin carving competition and follow the spooky maize trail. We haven’t been for a couple of years but we really had so much fun here! Each child gets a free pumpkin on entry which you select from their beautiful man-made pumpkin patch. There’s also a solid gold pumpkin hidden somewhere amongst the patch so keep your eyes peeled for that little treasure.

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So those are my top picks for the best places to pick up a pumpkin in the Teesside and North Yorkshire area. I hope to find an actual pumpkin patch at some point – the kind where you can choose one and harvest it yourself! But until then, these lovely places will do. I’m not going to lie, I’ve totally looked into how easy it could be to grow my own patch. You can all visit me there next year, ha!

Do you know of any top places to pick up a pumpkin in the North East? Do let me know, we’d love to visit!