Record Year for Southwold Pumpkin Patch
A warm summer has resulted in a bumper crop of pumpkins on the picturesque patch overlooking the Blyth Estuary.
With the return of Autumn comes a fresh appetite for family days out, and the team at Southwold Maize Maze have been busy preparing Southwold Pumpkin Patch for visitors throughout October.
Open every weekend during October, and the whole of half-term, Old Hall Farm in Southwold opens the gates of Southwold Pumpkin Patch, welcoming visitors of all ages to explore the patch and pick their own pumpkins.
Over 15 pumpkin varieties were hand planted in May and, after a very warm summer, the one-acre pumpkin patch is thriving, thanks to an on-site bore hole, which has kept the crop well-watered during the heatwave.
“The bore hole is mostly used to provide water down to the marshes along the Blyth Estuary, which are grazed by cattle during the summer months” explains Will Hall, who runs the summer maize maze attraction, pumpkin patch and events business at Old Hall Southwold alongside his mum Bella.
“It’s been really useful this year for making sure our pumpkins haven’t withered away in the heat, and it’s paid off, as this year’s pumpkin patch is our best yet in terms of quantity of pumpkins produced – there’s more pumpkins than we’ve ever seen!”
This year, Southwold Pumpkin Patch boasts over 15 varieties of pumpkins, squashes and gourds covering all shapes, sizes and colours, from the medium Mellow Yellow, to the large white Polar Bear variety, as well as the more traditional round orange varieties perfect for carving, and the edible Crown Prince and Red October squash.
The usual selection of barrows and carts will be available to help visitors find the perfect pumpkin, as well as a variety of family photo opportunities. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a lead, and Will advises wearing sensible shoes as it is a real pumpkin patch where visitors pick from the vines in the field.
While the pumpkin patch is open during every weekend in October, with the Antiques and Vintage Fair returning to the big barn on Sunday 18th October, half term week (24th – 31st October) provides a wider range of ticketed Halloween activities, including the play park with double zip lines, jumping pillows and much more, ghoulish go-karts and Boodle the Ghost’s Trick or Treat Stamp Trail.
Over in the big barn, there will be Halloween games and activities, and visitors can avoid taking the mess home by carving their pumpkin at the carving station, with tools provided.
The Golden Pumpkin Hunt will also return during half term; each day, two golden pumpkins will be hidden – one within the pumpkin patch, and one within the play park – with prizes up for grabs. From summer maize maze tickets to a pumpkin of choice free of charge, the prize will vary each day.
“We’re excited to welcome families and visitors of all ages to our unique pumpkin patch on the Suffolk coast once again,” says Will.
“There’s certainly plenty of pumpkins to choose from, and we have some exciting new photo opportunities and Halloween themed activities this year too!”
Entry to the pumpkin patch is free, with pumpkins priced according to size, ranging from £2 – £15, with free on-site parking. Tickets for the half term activities are available online in advance, and on the gate on the day (adults £3 and children £8 online, adults £4 and children £10 on the gate, under twos are free).
Southwold Pumpkin Patch is open 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th and 24th – 31st October (half term), 9:30am – 4pm. The on-site café, which is now run by Tudor Bakehouse, will be offering a seasonal menu, including pumpkin spice lattes, soups and hot chocolates.
For more information and to book half term activity tickets, visit: https://www.southwoldmaizemaze.co.uk/pumpkin-patch