๐ October half term is creeping up! See whatโs on across the Peak District.
TThereโs been a little pumpkin-patch expansion in the Peak District for 2026, with two new pumpkin-themed experiences opening within the National Park. However, poor growing conditions have meant that two of the usual pumpkin patches wonโt be opening this year.
For a traditional pumpkin-picking experience at a farm, your best option is Village Pumpkins, just outside the National Park boundary on the Sheffield side. But there are two other options to consider, both offering a different take on the pumpkin-patch experience.
Sadly, Litton Lanterns wonโt be opening for the 2026 season due to the poor growing season, while Pumpkin Corner in Ashbourne has closed its doors for good.
Hereโs what to expect from the pumpkin experiences taking place this autumn, including dates, prices and whatโs on offer.
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And donโt forget your pumpkin carving kit to create spooktacular designs after your pumpkin-picking adventure.
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1. Village Pumpkins (Barlow, near Chesterfield/Sheffield)
READ OUR GUIDE: Village Pumpkins
Open every Saturday and Sunday from 3rd to 18th October, then from Thursday 22nd October until stocks last
Click here for more information and ticket
Village Pumpkins in Barlow is a fantastic choice for families near Chesterfield or Sheffield, and although itโs just outside the Peak District boundary, itโs well worth a visit.
Entry at weekends is ticket-only, so youโll need to book online in advance (ยฃ3 per adult and children over 12; under 12s go free). Weekday visits donโt require booking, but there is a small entry fee.
Tickets include parking, access to the patch, farm animals, play areas, and plenty of photo opportunities, from vintage tractors to giant pumpkin props. Once inside, grab a wheelbarrow and explore the wide selection of pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and even colours, before warming up with hot chocolate, pumpkin cake, or soup.
Prices vary by pumpkin size. Parking is on-site, and the patch is accessible by bus.
2. Enchanted Pumpkin Farm at Hassop Family Farm
24th & 25th October ONLY
Click here for more information and to book tickets
Thereโs a new pumpkin-picking experience coming to the Peak District this October, as Hassop Family Farm launches its Enchanted Pumpkin Farm for two days only, on 24th and 25th October 2026.
Alongside choosing their own pumpkin from the enchanted pumpkin patch, children can make their own wand, create magical potions with a spell master witch, enjoy live storytelling in the Straw Bale Theatre and explore the Pumpkin Playground.
They can also head to Broomstick Academy to train with Wizard Bramblewick and put their flying skills to the test. With more magical surprises still to be announced, this promises to be more than just a pumpkin-picking trip.
3. Halloween Festival and Pumpkin Patch at Matlock Farm Park
Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November (or until pumpkins run out)
FREE pumpkin with entry (subject to availability)
Click here for more information and to book
Matlock Farm Park has a pumpkin patch as part of its Halloween season, but pumpkin picking is just one element of a much bigger Halloween event. Families can also enjoy a Spooky Woodland Trail, Ghoul Games, Halloween characters, craft workshops and all the usual farm park attractions.
Every child with a paid park entry ticket receives a free pumpkin, subject to availability. You can choose your pumpkin from the patch and either take it home to decorate or carve it at the onsite carving stations.
4. Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Festival, Castleton
October weekends and all of half term
Bottom of Winnats Pass, Old Mam Tor Road, Castleton
Tickets are ยฃ4 per person aged 3+, with parking included.
Click here for more information and to book
Thereโs another new pumpkin-picking experience arriving in the Peak District this autumn, with The Patchworks in Castleton offering a three-hour family session from 4th October 2026. The pumpkin patch has a huge variety to choose from, including traditional orange pumpkins, ghostly white, speckled and warty varieties, as well as pumpkins ranging from tiny Munchkins to much larger gourds.
Thereโs plenty to keep children entertained beyond pumpkin picking, with activities including pumpkin bowling, treasure hunts, giant puzzles, Quacky Races, a Black Hole Slide and the rather intriguing Needle in a Hay Stack. Activities are included in the ticket price.
You can also pre-book marshmallow sticks for toasting over the fire pit, with coffee, locally brewed beer and freshly prepared sweet treats available on site.
Want your pumpkins to last until Halloween?
We tend to pick our pumpkins in the first week of October. Some may say that’s a little early, but it means we get the best choice and the pumpkin patch is usually quieter.
If you want your pumpkins to last until Halloween, there are a few simple things you can do to slow down mould and rotting:
๐ Clean them well: Remove any mud and dirt from the outside of your pumpkins and allow them to dry thoroughly.
๐ Disinfect them: A diluted bleach solution can help kill microorganisms that cause mould and rot. It’s also recommended to wash or spray pumpkins with a 10% bleach solution, then allow them to dry.
๐ Keep them somewhere cool and dry: Avoid leaving pumpkins in direct sunlight or somewhere warm and damp, as this can speed up deterioration.
Once you’re ready to carve, remove all the seeds and stringy flesh from inside the pumpkin, as this gives mould fewer places to grow. If you’re carving ahead of Halloween, you can also rub the freshly cut edges with a little Vaseline to help slow moisture loss.
