UPDATE: Village Pumpkins in Barlow is now closed for the season.
Pumpkin picking has become a big tradition for many families on the build up to Halloween (nicely timed with October half term), and we absolutely love it! Dressed in wellies, it’s guaranteed fun for littles one as they weave their wheelbarrow through the fields in search of that perfect pumpkin to then bring it home to carve into their Halloween masterpiece. Plus, picking your own pumpkins from a farm is much more rewarding than adding it to your online supermarket delivery; you know that your money is going direct to the farmer.
If you are closer to the Chesterfield/Sheffield side of the Peak District, Village Pumpkins in Barlow is a good option for pumpkin picking, although this patch is technically one mile outside the National Park boundary.
If you’re looking for a pumpkin patch within the National Park, then check out Litton Lanterns, which is the only option.
If you are based in or around the South of the Peak District, we would usually recommend you visit Pumpkin Corner, near Ashbourne. Sadly, however, Pumpkin Corner will not be open for the 2024 season due to the poor growing season.
Peak District October half term events guide
From the fireworks and bonfire at Chatsworth and the stunning displays of Matlock Bath Illuminations, to pumpkin picking and Halloween trails, there is a lot going on in an around the Peak District October half term and we’ve rounded up all the events right here for you.
Arriving to Village Pumpkins
Click here for google map location. Address is: Johnnygate Ln, Barlow, Dronfield S18 7SE.
The easiest way to get to Village Pumpkins is by car. As you approach the farm you will notice lots of signs to point you in the right direction, so don’t worry about getting lost!
Parking is on the field adjacent to the pumpkins. This can get very muddy towards the end of the month.
It is also possible to get to Village Pumpkins via bus. Stagecoach service 16 between Chesterfield and Dronfield via Holmesfield goes along New Road and stops at the bottom of Johnnygate Lane, only 5 minutes walk from Village Pumpkins. It runs roughly hourly throughout the day, Monday to Saturday (not Sunday). Click here to check the bus timetable.
Booking your 2024 ticket
Village Pumpkins PYO has got very popular in recent years, so an online booking system was introduced last year to ensure the patch doesn’t get too busy. Indeed at weekends, it is ticket booking only. You cannot gain access without a ticket. During the week (Monday to Friday) no booking are necessary, but there will be an entrance fee on arrival.
Tickets are £3 for adults & children over 12 (children under 12 go free) and include:
- Car parking & entry to farm
- Entry to the pumpkin patch
- Farm animals to see
- Plenty of different pumpkins to pick
- Sit on tractor
- Photo opportunities ~ new & old!
- Colouring sheets for children
- Picnic area with benches and grass to sit on
- And the hay bale slide is staying for the pumpkin event, along with Sheldon the Snail
Please note that your ticket does not include a pumpkin.
Click here to book tickets online.
Your pumpkin picking journey
Make sure you’re all wearing wellies as it gets very muddy, especially if it’s raining. We dress our boys in waterproof jackets and trousers. Gloves and hats are a good idea for colder days.
Once you’ve checked in, grab a wheelbarrow and off you go in search of that perfect pumpkin! The perfect selection may take some time as there are so many to choose from in varying sizes and colour (there are even bluey-grey ones – my fave! – as well as classic orange ones).
Along the way there are some fantastic photo opportunities: hop on the Village Pumpkin giant chair, sit on the vintage tractor, or just become a pumpkin. These make for lovely keepsake photos to look back on in years to come.
And make sure you don’t miss seeing the chooks in their pen and animals in the barn!
Once you’ve finalised your selection (this can take time, of course), return to the hut at the entrance where you can reward your efforts with a hot chocolate and try some pumpkin cake or pumpkin soup! There’s likely to be food stalls here too!
This is also where you need to pay for your pumpkins (payments by card are preferred, but you can still pay by cash).
To give you an idea, prices for 2023 were:
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!
2024 Opening times at Village Pumpkins
🎃 Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October (9am to 5pm)
🎃 Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th October (9am to 5pm)
🎃 Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October (9am to 5pm)
🎃 Then every day from Monday 21st October until there are no pumpkins left
Follow the Village Pumpkin FB page for up to date information.
You may also like to read:
What to do on a Peak District rainy day
Peak District October half term events
Peak District Christmas events