Eight North East pumpkin patches you need to visit this half term

Here’s our pick of the spookiest pumpkin patches for you to visit this season.   

With Halloween screeching closer and the spooky season mirroring more of what we’re used to this year after Halloween was called off in 2020 due to Covid-19, many people are getting excited about the haunted holiday. 

This year it seems the spooky season is full of fun festivities to choose from, with booking in advance advised. We’ve compiled a list of the best pumpkin patches you can visit this half term.  

1. East Grange Farm, Durham 

Credit:@eastgrange Instagram 

East Grange Farm is found just outside of Durham in Shincliffe. The family ran farm offers pumpkin picking at just £5 per car with a £5 voucher towards your pumpkin purchase.  

Ideal for that terrifying Instagram selfie, East Grange Farm also offers scary sunflower fields for you to explore.  

East Grange Farm will be open on October 16 until Sunday, October 31 from 9am until 5pm. 

Address: East Grange Farm, High Shincliffe, Durham, DH1 2TB 

2.Brockbushes, Northumberland 

Credit: @brockbushes_farm_shop Instagram 

Brockbushes is located in Northumberland off the A69. The Farm Shop has been inviting ghoulish guests to book early this year with some slots already sold out.

Dates for pumpkin picking this year are from October 2, 3, 9, 10 and between October 16-31. Booking is just £2, and they have some fun pumpkin carving and photo spots for you to choose from.

Address: Brocksbushes Farm, Northumberland NE43 7UB 

3.Holmeside Park, Chester-Le-Street 

Credit: Holmside Park Facebook 

Holmside Park is not only offering pumpkin picking in the forbidden forest this year, but it also has spellbinding Harry Potter pumpkin carving and spooky fright nights. 

Children can learn how to become wizards and cast wicked spells admission is £22 or £7 for just the pumpkin patch and forbidden forest fun.  

Address: Holmside Park Arena, Holmside Ln, Chester-le-Street DH7 6EY 

4.Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth 

Credit: @Whitehousefarmcentre Instagram 

Whitehouse Farm’s Halloween Spooktacular will be running October 16-17 and throughout half term. Pumpkin picking and a ghost-filled grotto await guests, with a prize for those who come in the best costume.  

For each paying child, you get a free pumpkin, with entry costing £11 per child. Whitehouse Farm is full of exciting animals and spooky photo opportunities. A full day of fun for the family.  

Address: Whitehouse Farm Centre, Morpeth NE61 6AW 

5. Hall Hill Farm, Durham 

Credit: Hall Hill Farm Facebook 

Hall Hill Farm will be Running a spooktacular week of events from October 22, until Halloween. Pick and carve your pumpkin or you can attend wizarding school, explore the monster maze and take part in a scary treasure hunt.

The farm has indoor and outdoor play areas, sheep races, face painting. For those daring, enough try the creepy spider barrel ride. Tickets can be purchased on the day. 

Address: Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0TA 

6.Adventure Valley, Durham 

Credit: Adventure Valley Facebook 

The Pumpkin Festival, which will run between October 16-17 and all of half term. Invite guests to monster mash at the Pumpkin Barn, grab a pumpkin from the patch and then join a carving class. 

Tickets are £13.95 for adults and for children with a free pumpkin, booking is advised, and an arrival time will be given. You can also catch a spooky show and go corn cob catapulting.

Address: Union Hall Farm, Durham DH1 5SG 

7.Preston Park, Stockton-On-Tees 

Credit: Preston Park Museum and Grounds 

Pick your pumpkin in the park’s orchard, you can grab a ticket for just £3, and this also includes access to the museum for a full family day out.

The pumpkin patch will open from Saturday, October 23 until they run out. Preston Park also has spooky evening walks on the grounds. You can book via the website and look at the times for some spooky photo opportunities with owls and mystical animals. 

Address: Preston Park, Yarm Rd, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3RJ 

8. Laverock Hall Farm Bird Food, Blyth 

Credit: Laverock Farm & Bird Food Facebook  

Laverock Farm will be welcoming pumpkin pickers from October 9 entry is free with costs starting from as little as £2 for a pumpkin. A tractor ride can be used to reach the field just a short walk from the car park.

Guests can visit the spooky pumpkin patch from 10am-4pm until pumpkins run out wellies are recommended for the 20-acre field.

Address: laverock, Hall Road, Blyth, NE24 4HE