Best Pumpkin Picking in the North West UK in 2025
You know that first crisp Saturday when the air smells like bonfires and the kids are already asking for hot chocolate. That is your sign. It is pumpkin picking season. If you are in the North West, there are some brilliant patches this year, from full farm park days out to low key fields where you pay for what you pick. Pop these dates in your calendar now, and please pack your wellies, or you will be that parent stuck in the mud while your toddler legs it toward a wheelbarrow.
Where to go pumpkin picking in 2025
1. Cockfields Farm Park, Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester
Good for: a full day out, not just pumpkins
2025 at a glance: Mini Patch midweek sessions in early October, main patch at weekends from early October, daily through half term, plus After Dark evenings
Prices: from around £4.95 for midweek mini sessions, up to around £17.95 for peak sessions, main events usually include a pumpkin per child.
Extras: full farm park entry, animals, indoor and outdoor play, hayride, characters, photo spots, food and drink
Cockfields also host amazing Christmas events so keeo an eye out for those as they'll already be booking up.
Book online, this one sells fast
2. Libby’s Patch, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Good for: easy parking, relaxed vibe, cute photos
2025 at a glance: weekends from early October, extra sessions over half term
Prices: usually around £5 per car to book a time slot, pumpkins priced by size usually £1 to £10
Extras: wood fired pizza, cakes, hot and cold drinks, campfire marshmallows, loads of photo boards, dogs on leads welcome
Our take: we have been going to Libby’s Patch for the past few years and have had a great experience every time. There is a height board that we always make sure to take photos of Harriet, Taylor and Olivia against so we can look back and see how much they have grown
3. Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington, Cheshire
Good for: organised picking with plenty of choice
2025 at a glance: late September through October
Prices: entry usually around £2.95 per person, under 18 months free, pumpkins priced by size
Extras: farm shop, café, small play area, wheelbarrows, photo points
Booking essential at peak times
4. Windmill Animal Farm, Burscough, Lancashire
Good for: farm train fans and an all day adventure
2025 at a glance: mid October to Halloween
Prices: around £18.95 for adults, £19.95 for children, under ones free, ticket typically includes a pumpkin
Extras: farm train, animals, indoor and outdoor play, themed maize, food and drink
Book early, weekend slots go quickly
5. Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Blackburn, Lancashire
Good for: daytime patches and magical evenings
2025 at a glance: Pumpkin Festival by day from early October, Enchanted Pumpkin Nights on selected evenings
Prices: varies by date, many tickets include a pumpkin, check the date you pick
Extras: farm park access, entertainment, street food, live music and fire pits on some evenings
After dark slots feel special for older kids
6. Claremont Farm, Bebington, Wirral
Good for: budget friendly, no fuss picking
2025 at a glance: open through October, weather dependent
Prices: free entry, pay for what you pick, small gourds from about £1, larger pumpkins usually sold by weight and often come out around £2 to £4 each depending on size
Extras: café on site, wheelbarrows, dogs on leads welcome
No booking needed, but do check socials for field conditions
7. Roby Mill Pumpkin Patch, Upholland, Wigan
Good for: free entry and family extras
2025 at a glance: selected dates from early October, 10 am to 5 pm
Prices: free entry, pumpkins priced by size, weekend and half term tickets used to manage capacity
Extras: face painting, alpacas or entertainment, artisan stalls, food, photo boards
Keep an eye on announcements for exact dates
8. Pumpkin Alley, Ormskirk, West Lancashire
Good for: classic pay as you pick
2025 at a glance: typically open daily from late September to Halloween
Prices: free entry, pay for pumpkins, bring cash as some years it is preferred
Extras: Pumpkin Express mini train, photo spots, refreshments on busy days
Check Facebook for daily updates
9. Church View Farm, Lydiate, Merseyside
Good for: big displays and a lively atmosphere
2025 at a glance: early October through Halloween
Prices: free entry and parking, pay for pumpkins
Extras: fairground rides, hot and cold food, farm shop
A good one if you are juggling different ages
10. Village Pumpkins, Dronfield, Derbyshire
Good for: big fields and tasty pizza vans
2025 at a glance: dates vary each year so check before you travel
Prices: usually free entry, pumpkins by size
Extras: local caterers, photo spots, friendly team
A nice option if you are on the eastern edge of the region
Quick planning tips from one mud splattered mum to another
Put the date in your calendar. Patches often run selected dates and certain weekends only, you do not want to pitch up on a closed day
Book ahead for peak weekends and the final week of October, many places sell out
Wear wellies, even if it looks bright, fields hold water and the kids will be drawn to the squelchy bit
Check what is included. Some tickets include a pumpkin, some are entry only with pumpkins paid by size
Bring a change of socks for little feet, and a bin bag or old blanket for the boot, the mud is real
What to choose if you only pick one
Want the full farm park experience. Cockfields, Windmill and Mrs Dowsons are cracking, with animals, play and plenty of entertainment
Want low cost and flexible. Claremont Farm, Pumpkin Alley and Church View Farm are great for pay as you pick with no entry fee
Want something a bit different. Try an after dark session at Cockfields or Mrs Dowsons for a cosy candlelit feel with older kids.