Pumpkin Picking in the Peak District 2025

Discover the best pumpkin picking spots in and around the Peak District. From Litton Lanterns to Pumpkin Corner, here’s where to go this autumn.

Dates and times have not yet been announced for the 2025 season

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.

1. Litton Lanterns (Litton, Peak District)

READ OUR GUIDE: Litton Lanterns

Dates and times have not yet been announced for the 2025 season

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 £2–£12 depending on size.

With wheelbarrows to borrow, spooky hay bales, a vintage tractor, and even some friendly sheep, there’s 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. It’s 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

Dates and times have not yet been announced for the 2025 season

Village Pumpkins in Barlow is a fantastic choice for families near Chesterfield or Sheffield, and although it’s just outside the Peak District boundary, it’s well worth a visit.

Entry at weekends is ticket-only, so you’ll need to book online in advance (£3 per adult and children over 12; under 12s go free). Weekday visits don’t 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

Dates and times have not yet been announced for the 2025 season

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 £1–£10 depending on size.

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 children’s 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:

🎃 Clean off all the mud from your pumpkins
🎃 Mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 litre of water
🎃 Soak your pumpkin in the mixture and let sit for 20 minutes

And that’s it! The bleach/water mix will prevent your pumpkins from rotting, and keep your pumpkin perfect until you carve it!