February half term is just around the corner. Check out our guide for a full round-up of events and activities.
Discover the best pumpkin picking spots in and around the Peak District. From Litton Lanterns to Pumpkin Corner, hereโs where to go this autumn.
Pumpkin picking has become one of the most anticipated autumn family activities in the UK, and families in and around the Peak District now have a few fantastic options to choose from. Whether you want to make a day of it in the heart of the National Park or visit a patch on the outskirts, each spot offers a fun-filled way to embrace the season and pick the perfect pumpkin for carving or cooking.
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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. Litton Lanterns (Litton, Peak District)
READ OUR GUIDE: Litton Lanterns
Opening Saturday 4th October
Litton Lanterns, which opened in 2024, is the very first pumpkin picking patch within the Peak District National Park. Set in the scenic valley of Litton Slack, between Bakewell and Buxton, this friendly patch offers a fun autumn day out for families.
Entry is free, and you only pay for the pumpkins you take home, priced between ยฃ2โยฃ12 depending on size.
With wheelbarrows to borrow, spooky hay bales, a vintage tractor, and even some friendly sheep, thereโs plenty to keep little ones entertained while choosing their pumpkins. Refreshments are on hand from Derbyshire Oatcakes, serving warm filled oatcakes, sweet treats, and hot drinks, with picnic benches and a gazebo for enjoying the views.
Parking is free, dogs on leads are welcome, and toilets are available onsite. Itโs best to wrap up warm and bring cash as the card reader can be unreliable.
2. Village Pumpkins (Barlow, near Chesterfield/Sheffield)
READ OUR GUIDE: Village Pumpkins
Saturday and Sundays from 4th to 19th October and then daily from 20th October until stocks last.
Tickets need to be purchased for the weekends.
ยฃ3 per person aged 12+, free for under 12s
Click here to book tickets
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.
3. Pumpkin Corner (near Ashbourne)
READ OUR GUIDE: Pumpkin Corner
Open every Saturday and Sunday throughout October (10am to 4pm)
Free entry, free parking, no booking required
Pay for what you pick
Pumpkin Corner, just three miles from Ashbourne, is back for 2025 after being closed last year due to a poor growing season. Run by Andy and Meg, this friendly pumpkin patch has grown in popularity each year thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and fun seasonal touches.
Entry is free and no booking is required; you simply pay for the pumpkins you pick, with prices ranging from ยฃ1โยฃ10 depending on size. But once the pumpkins are gone, they’re gone!
Families can collect a wheelbarrow and explore the fields, where pumpkins come in a wide range of shapes, colours, and varieties, including tasty pale blue ones ideal for cooking. Expect plenty of photo opportunities, props, and childrenโs activities, such as trails and fancy dress, plus refreshments from local vendors serving hot drinks, waffles, and gluten-free treats.
Free parking is available onsite, but dogs are not allowed in the patch.
Want your pumpkins to last until Halloween?
We tend to pick our pumpkins the first weekend of October. Some may say that’s a little early, but it means we get the best pick, and it’s quieter.
But how to make them last until Halloween? Well there’s a clever trick:
๐ Clean off all the mud from your pumpkins
๐ Mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 litre of water
๐ Soak your pumpkin in the mixture and let sit for 20 minutes
And thatโs it! The bleach/water mix will prevent your pumpkins from rotting, and keep your pumpkin perfect until you carve it!
You may also like to read:
What’s on October half term
Matlock Bath Illuminations guide
Bonfire Night and Firework events in the Peak District