As the months get colder and the days grow shorter the familiar excitement for the seasonal change creeps in and with it comes looking forward to all our autumnal and winter holidays and celebrations. One of the first things people do to bring in the return of Autumn is to mark it with a day out pumpkin picking at a pumpkin patch near Brighton.
Borne in part to find the perfect pumpkin to turn into a Halloween Jack O’Lantern, this seasonal activity has grown in popularity every year so much so that some people start marking their calendars when August comes to a close.
This growing demand has, thankfully, been matched by an ample number of patches to choose from all easily accessible regardless of your mode of transportation. To help you in all your pumpkin-picking endeavors we’ve put together a list of all the best spots. Be warned though, it’s better to go sooner rather than later or else you risk missing out!
Where to pick pumpkins for Halloween 2023 in Sussex (near Brighton)
South Farm Rodmell
Located on the hills of Lewes lies the South Farm Rodmell. Available for pumpkin picking since the 14th of October, the farm is well versed in providing the general public with these Halloween staples, having regularly grown pumpkin patches for the past few years.
Varying in types and sizes with prices ranging from £1 to £10 with the average price of these vegetables lying around £3. With free parking available onsite and dogs welcome, provided they’re on a lead, there’s no excuse to not grab your best pair of wellies or those trainers you don’t care about anymore and get as many pumpkins as your arms can carry!
Poynings Pumpkin Patch
Another great option for pumpkin picking is taking a trip to Poynings Pumpkin Patch which is near Brighton. Pack your least favourite shoes and a warm Autumn jacket and head on over to get the best pumpkin of the year.
Open on weekends starting from October 1st, the pumpkin patch will also be available for 10 days from October 22nd until the 31st meaning that anyone who might have left the picking to the last minute can get a chance to get a pumpkin before the witching hour begins. A quick 15 minutes from Brighton and with free parking available, Poynings has covered everything for you to have the best Autumn experience.
Tulleys Pumpkin Farm
One does not simply go pumpkin picking at Tulleys. Well known for pulling out all the stops for any event, Tulleys Pumpkin Farm is definitely the place to visit to pick your own pumpkins, grab something to eat and enjoy the Autumn fun. Not content with simply offering a pumpkin patch to pick from, Tulleys have made it a festival.
With tickets available for every night up until the 29th of October, you can get access to the pumpkin fields, photo opportunities, free parking, live music and drinks vendors. Located outside Crawley and about a 40-minute drive, tickets will go fast so make sure to get everyone together and make your way there. Day tickets range between £6 – £8 and night tickets from £11 – £12.
Camelia Botner Garden Centre
Sitting on the outside of Horsham on Littleworth Lane, Camelia Botner Garden Centre is open every weekend this month for the public to get as many pumpkins as necessary to bring in the unholy holiday. Grab your wellies and a jacket and head on over on either the 14th-15th, the 21st-22nd and the 23rd – 29th of October.
Once you and your friends have picked your pumpkins take a moment to get your face painted, grab a hot drink and a bite to eat and pose for a photo with your fresh catch. With so much to do you’d be crazy not to get involved in this amazing opportunity to pick your own pumpkin this year.
Sharnfold Farm Pumpkin Picking
Sharnfold Farm takes any opportunity to celebrate pumpkin picking by opening its patch to the Sussex region every year. Located on the outskirts of Eastbourne, the farm can be found on Hailsham Road. Operating on a first-come, first-serve basis parking is available on site and entry to the patch is available for those who purchased wristbands at the farm and pumpkins picked will be sold individually.
Once you’ve picked your pumpkin though and you’re not content with going home straight away, Sharnfold also holds pumpkin carving sessions so you can perfect your pumpkin’s gruesome smile. Tickets for pumpkin carving are £6.45 and those under 2 go free.
Rogate Pumpkin Patch
About an hour to drive out from Brighton, Rogate stands with the rest in this list as a contender for your pumpkin picking needs. Open from 14th to 29th October, you can fully realise your Autumn-themed Pinterest board and pick up your favourite pumpkin for carving the creepiest face or cooking the tastiest soup.
Based on Slade Lane, tickets cost £5 – £7 with those under 2 and carers able to attend for free. Once purchased, tickets give you access to a number of attractions and events taking place as well as the pumpkin patch. These include exploring Merlin’s Wood, climbing the giant haystalk, taking a walk on the spooky Sunflower field and seeking out Dracula’s estate. With all this to do you can bet that you’ll have an amazing time on top of taking home a pumpkin or two.
Sompting Pumpkins
This family-managed farm is home to 15 acres of fresh pumpkin patches on the outskirts of Worthing and Shoreham-by-Sea on Halewick Lane. The owners of the farm have been growing and selling pumpkins for 5 years and they believe that pumpkins, though available for Halloween, are worth so much more than something you carve or to make a soup you try once.
With the pumpkin picking dates of 7th-8th October, 14th-15th October and 21st-29th October there are more than enough opportunities to get your hands on some of the freshest and finest pumpkins in the Sussex region. Follow the signs to the patch, get your hands on a wheelbarrow and pick as many as your heart desires.
