Pumpkin picking has become one of our favourite ways to mark the start of autumn. There’s something about pulling on your wellies, heading out into a field and searching for the perfect pumpkin that makes October feel as though it has properly arrived.
If you’re looking for pumpkin picking near Peterborough in 2026, there are some brilliant pumpkin patches and family-friendly farms within easy reach of the city. Some offer traditional pick-your-own pumpkins straight from the field, while others have turned pumpkin picking into a full autumn day out with Halloween activities, food, play areas and plenty of opportunities for photos.
With October half term running into Halloween this year, it’s worth planning ahead. Some of the most popular pumpkin patches require advance booking and weekend or half-term slots can fill quickly.
I’ve rounded up some of the best places to go pumpkin picking in and around Peterborough for 2026, including opening dates, locations and useful things to know before you visit.
I’ll keep this guide updated as more local pumpkin patches confirm their 2026 opening information, so it’s worth checking back before October half term.
Rectory Farm Pumpkin Patch, Milton
If you’re looking for more than simply choosing a pumpkin, Rectory Farm’s Pumpkin Patch near Cambridge makes a full autumn day out of it. You may remember this one as Milton Maze from previous years, but the pumpkin event is now part of Rectory Farm.
The farm grows pumpkins in lots of different colours, shapes and sizes, from traditional orange pumpkins to white varieties and colourful squashes. Alongside pumpkin picking, the 2026 event includes tractor and trailer rides (weather permitting), mini ride-ons, interactive games, a mini sweetcorn maze, sensory play, live entertainment and plenty of autumnal photo opportunities.
There is also a café and food vendors on site, so this is one to consider if you want to make more of a day of your pumpkin-picking trip.
2026 dates: 3–4, 10–11, 17–18 and 24–31 October
Opening times: 9am–5pm, with last entry at 4pm.
Booking: Tickets are required for adults and children over two on Pumpkin Patch event days. Advance booking is recommended.
Good to know: The event continues in wet weather, so wellies and coats are a good idea. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are permitted, although this is a working farm and the ground can become uneven or muddy. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the Pumpkin Patch.
Where: Rectory Farm, A10 Milton Bypass, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6AE.
Halloween and Pumpkin Picking at Sacrewell
Sacrewell is always a good option for families who want to combine pumpkin picking with a full day out, particularly if you have younger children. We’ve visited Sacrewell many times over the years, and having the farm, play areas and other activities alongside the seasonal events means there is plenty to keep everyone entertained.
For October half term 2026, Halloween returns to Sacrewell Farm from 24th to 31st October. Children can choose a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, with one pumpkin included for each paying child, before enjoying the other Halloween activities around the farm.
There will also be spooky trails, Halloween crafts and ghost stories, alongside Sacrewell’s usual farm attractions. Costumes are encouraged, so it’s a good one if your children enjoy getting dressed up for Halloween without wanting anything too scary.
2026 dates: 24th–31st October
Opening times: 9am–4.30pm
Booking: Advance booking is recommended, particularly during October half term.
Good to know: One pumpkin is included with each paying child’s admission. As this is an outdoor farm attraction, wellies and weather-appropriate clothing are always a good idea in October.
Where: Sacrewell, Thornhaugh, Peterborough, PE8 6HJ.
Bell’s Pumpkin Patch, Benington
If you don’t mind travelling a little further from Peterborough, Bell’s Pumpkin Patch near Boston is one of the biggest dedicated pumpkin-picking days out in Lincolnshire.
This is much more than a field of pumpkins. Bell’s grows hundreds of different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds, so alongside the traditional orange pumpkins you’ll find plenty of unusual colours, shapes and sizes. You can pick your own from the patch or choose from the Pumpkin Market if you’d rather avoid a muddy field.
There is plenty for children to do too, including a maize maze, bounce and climb areas, pedal tractors, potato catapults, an assault course, circus skills and the famous singing pumpkins. There are also lots of autumn displays and photo opportunities around the site.
2026 dates: 10th–11th, 17th–18th and 24th–31st October
Booking: Tickets need to be booked online in advance and popular sessions can sell out.
Good to know: Pumpkins aren’t included with admission and are purchased separately, with prices starting from £1. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. There are undercover dining areas, although the pumpkin fields themselves can obviously get muddy.
Bell’s is also running quieter sessions from 9am–11am on Monday 26th and Wednesday 28th October 2026. During these sessions the music will be kept at a lower volume and the pumpkin cannon won’t be fired, which may make them worth considering for families who prefer a less noisy visit.
Where: Bell’s Pumpkin Patch, Lowfields Road, Benington, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 0EE.
Rusty’s Great Pumpkin Patch at Worzals, Wisbech
If the thought of trudging through a muddy pumpkin field in the rain doesn’t appeal, Rusty’s Great Pumpkin Patch at Worzals near Wisbech is a great alternative. The pumpkin patch is undercover, making it a particularly useful option when the October weather isn’t playing nicely.
Worzals grows thousands of pumpkins in different shapes, colours and sizes, alongside plenty of autumnal displays and photo opportunities. The event is designed to feel more like an autumn experience than simply somewhere to buy a pumpkin, so it’s a good option if you want to combine choosing your pumpkins with food, photos and a wander around the farm shop.
Being undercover also makes this one easier with pushchairs and wheelchairs than some traditional pumpkin fields, although it’s always worth checking current accessibility information before travelling.
While you’re there, you can visit Worzals Farm Shop and Garden Centre or stop for something to eat, which makes it easy to turn pumpkin shopping into a longer autumn outing.
Booking: Check Worzals directly for the latest 2026 opening information before travelling.
Good to know: The pumpkin patch is undercover, making it a useful wet-weather option for families.
Where: Worzals, Lynn Road, Walton Highway, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 7DA.
Fotheringhay Pumpkin Patch, Near Oundle
Fotheringhay Pumpkin Patch is a lovely option if you’re looking for a more traditional, relaxed pumpkin-picking experience close to Peterborough. Set at Stonepit Lodge Farm near Oundle, it’s a working farm where you can choose your pumpkins without needing all the extras of a larger Halloween attraction.
Alongside pick-your-own pumpkins, there are children’s activities including pedal tractors, with hot drinks, sweet treats and stone-baked pizza available too. Previous events have also included farmyard animals and vintage tractors, making it an easy autumn outing with younger children.
2026 opening: Selected dates throughout October and October half term. Check the Fotheringhay Pumpkin Patch Facebook page for the latest opening dates before travelling.
Opening times: Current local listings indicate 10am–4pm on opening days.
Booking: No advance booking is normally required and entry is free; you simply pay for the pumpkins you choose.
Good to know: This is a working farm, so sensible footwear is a must if the weather has been wet. Pumpkin availability can also affect opening towards the end of October, so it’s worth checking their latest update before setting off.
Where: Stonepit Lodge Farm, Fotheringhay, near Oundle, PE8 5HX.
Ketton Pumpkins, Near Stamford
If you’re looking for straightforward pumpkin picking without paying an entry fee before you’ve even chosen a pumpkin, Ketton Pumpkins is well worth knowing about. This family-run pumpkin patch is on a working farm near Stamford and is an easy option for families travelling from Peterborough.
It’s much more about the traditional pick-your-own experience than a big Halloween attraction. Grab a wheelbarrow, head into the field and choose the pumpkins you want to take home, with different sizes available and prices starting from £1.
Entry to the pumpkin patch is free, so you only pay for the pumpkins you choose. There are toilets and handwashing facilities on site, plus hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes and cookies if you fancy a treat while you’re there.
2026 dates: 10th–11th, 17th–18th, 24th–25th and 26th–31st October
Opening times: 10am–4pm
Booking: No booking is required.
Good to know: Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads. Wheelbarrows are available to use, although you can bring your own. This is a working farm and the field can get muddy, so wear wellies or sturdy outdoor footwear if it has been raining.
Where: Ketton, near Stamford, Rutland, PE9 3SX. Look out for the large pumpkin signs from the A6121 leading to the farm track.
Pumpkins at Freshfields Farm, Ramsey Forty Foot
For a simple, traditional pumpkin-picking trip without an admission charge, Pumpkins at Freshfields is a great option. Located at Freshfields Farm in Ramsey Forty Foot, it’s a genuine pick-your-own patch where you can head into the field and choose your pumpkins straight from where they’ve been grown.
This isn’t a large ticketed Halloween attraction, which is part of its appeal. There are pumpkins in different shapes, sizes and colours, along with wheelbarrows to help carry your finds and plenty of autumnal photo opportunities around the farm.
There is usually a coffee van and cake stall on site too, so you can grab something warm while you’re there.
2026 opening: October dates are still to be confirmed. Check Pumpkins at Freshfields on Facebook before travelling, as this is where the farm publishes its latest opening information.
Booking: No booking is normally required.
Good to know: Entry and parking are free and you simply pay for the pumpkins you pick. Freshfields is a cash-only site, so remember to take cash with you. Dogs aren’t allowed in the pumpkin patch.
As with any traditional PYO field, expect mud if we’ve had plenty of October rain, so wellies or sturdy boots are a good idea.
Where: Freshfields Farm, Benwick Road, Ramsey Forty Foot, Cambridgeshire, PE26 2XU.
Pumpkin Jim’s, Ickleton
Pumpkin Jim’s in Ickleton is another traditional pumpkin patch that’s worth having on your radar if you’re happy to travel a little further from Peterborough. Set on a working family farm just outside Saffron Walden, the patch usually opens around October half term in the run-up to Halloween.
As well as growing different varieties of pumpkins and edible squashes, Pumpkin Jim’s has previously offered children’s play areas, pedal tractors, straw bale activities and food trucks, along with the Fat Pumpkin café serving hot drinks.
The farm had to cancel its 2025 pumpkin-picking season after drought conditions resulted in a shortage of pumpkins. The good news is that Pumpkin Jim’s has said it plans to welcome visitors back for pumpkin picking in 2026.
2026 dates: Still to be confirmed. I’ll update this guide as soon as Pumpkin Jim’s announces its 2026 opening dates.
Booking: Details for 2026 haven’t yet been released. In previous years visitors have been asked to book online before visiting, so check before travelling.
Good to know: This is a genuine working farm and pumpkin field, so wellies are a good idea, particularly after wet weather.
Where: Grange Road, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, CB10 1TA.
Pumpkin Picking at Skylark Farm, Wimblington
Skylark Farm is another good choice if you want to turn pumpkin picking into a bigger family day out. During October, its Funyard gets a Halloween makeover for the annual Week of Wickedness, with pumpkin picking available alongside the farm’s other attractions.
Rather than simply visiting a pumpkin field, you can combine choosing your pumpkins with the Halloween-themed maize maze, outdoor play areas and seasonal entertainment. There’s also a daily comedy and magic show, making this one particularly suited to families who want plenty to do once they’ve finished picking their pumpkins.
Pumpkins are paid for separately according to size, so it’s worth factoring that into the cost of your visit.
2026 dates: 17th–31st October
Opening times: 10am–5pm, with last entry to the maize maze and pumpkin patch at 4pm.
Booking: Check availability and book your Funyard tickets before travelling, particularly during October half term.
Good to know: Pumpkin picking is an additional activity during Week of Wickedness and pumpkins aren’t included in your admission price. As you’ll be heading into a field, wellies are a sensible choice if the weather has been wet.
Where: Skylark Farm, Manea Road, Wimblington, Cambridgeshire, PE15 0PE.
Pumpkin Picking at Flag Fen, Peterborough
If you’d prefer to stay in Peterborough itself, Flag Fen is combining pumpkin picking with its Halloween activities again for 2026. It’s a slightly different setting from the traditional farm pumpkin patches, as you get to enjoy the autumn activities surrounded by one of Peterborough’s most fascinating archaeological sites.
Families can head out on a pumpkin-picking adventure before taking part in the other Halloween activities taking place around Flag Fen. This makes it a good option if you want more to do than simply choose a pumpkin, particularly during October half term.
2026 dates: 24th–31st October
Booking: Check the current Halloween event information and book ahead before travelling, particularly for popular half-term dates.
Good to know: Flag Fen is an outdoor archaeological site, so expect uneven ground and dress for the October weather. I’d recommend wellies or sturdy shoes if we’ve had plenty of rain.
Where: Flag Fen Archaeology Park, The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ.
Tips for Pumpkin Picking With Kids
Pumpkin picking is usually a fairly easy family day out, but a little preparation can make it much more enjoyable, especially when October weather has turned a field into a sea of mud.
Wear wellies and take spare clothes. Even if it hasn’t rained that morning, pumpkin fields can stay muddy for days. If you have younger children, I’d put a complete change of clothes in the car too.
Don’t choose the biggest pumpkin straight away. It’s very easy to get carried away when you first enter the field and then realise someone has to carry that enormous pumpkin back to the car. Grab a wheelbarrow if they’re available and let everyone have a look around before deciding.
Check what’s included in your ticket. Every pumpkin patch works slightly differently. Some include a pumpkin with admission, others charge separately for each pumpkin, and traditional PYO farms may have no admission charge at all.
Book ahead where necessary. The weekends closest to Halloween and dates during October half term are likely to be the busiest, particularly at the larger attractions.
Check social media before you leave home. This is particularly important with smaller independent pumpkin patches. Weather, ground conditions and the number of pumpkins remaining can all affect opening arrangements towards the end of October.
Take your own photos. Pumpkin patches make brilliant backdrops for autumn family photos, and you don’t need everyone perfectly posed. Some of my favourite pictures are the natural ones of the children wandering around trying to decide which pumpkin they want.
Once you’ve brought your pumpkins home, the next job is deciding what to do with them. We’ve had lots of fun with pumpkin carving over the years, from the usual wonky faces to attempting slightly more ambitious designs using printed templates.
Pumpkin picking is also one of those little autumn traditions that gives us something to look forward to as the evenings get darker. If you’re using October as an opportunity to get home and family life feeling a little more organised too, I’ve put together my October reset for a calmer autumn, with 15 simple things to tackle before the busiest part of the year begins.
Where Will You Go Pumpkin Picking This Autumn?
Whether you want a traditional pick-your-own field where you can grab a wheelbarrow and hunt for the perfect pumpkin, or a bigger Halloween day out with activities, food and entertainment, there are plenty of places to go pumpkin picking near Peterborough this autumn.
For us, pumpkin picking has become one of those simple October traditions that helps mark the change of season. You don’t need to make a huge day of it either. Sometimes wellies, a muddy field, a hot chocolate afterwards and coming home with far more pumpkins than you intended is more than enough.
I’ll continue checking the smaller pumpkin patches as we get closer to October half term and update this guide when their 2026 dates and opening details are confirmed.
As opening arrangements can change because of weather and pumpkin availability, I’d always check directly with the venue before setting off, particularly if you’re travelling any distance.
If you discover another great pumpkin patch near Peterborough that I’ve missed, I’d love to hear about it.
If September still feels a little chaotic in your house, you might also find my guide to resetting your family routine after the summer holidays useful before the autumn calendar gets even busier.