A Suffolk pumpkin patch has been compared to the infamous Glasgow Willy Wonka experience after visitors described it as 'depressing and bleak'. The attraction in Barton Mills, which markets itself as the 'perfect family pumpkin patch', has faced a backlash within days of opening.
One visitor called it 'a load of Tesco pumpkins in a field'. The site also includes fairground rides and food and drink vans.
Visitor's Video Tour
Alex Dodman, who visited with his family, shared videos on TikTok showing sparsely scattered pumpkins, some smashed on the grass, and what he called 'questionable decor'. The patch is enclosed by a metal fence, which he said gave off 'Glasgow Willy Wonka vibes'.
In his tour, Dodman showed food vendors, fairground attractions, and the pumpkin patch itself, which requires a separate ticket. He paid just under £20 for a family of five, noting that this was 'minus any buying of pumpkins'. He said: "So when I think about it, I've just paid £19.52 to walk into a field with sparsely scattered pumpkins, questionable Halloween decor... and all surrounded by a metal fence."
Organisers Respond
The event's organisers responded on social media, saying they are 'pleased' with the event and that they are 'only human'. They emphasised that most visitor reviews have been positive.
In a post about people smashing pumpkins, they wrote: "We know that days out can be expensive for families, and as a family ourselves, we completely understand that. We try so hard to make our pumpkin patch a lovely, affordable experience that everyone can enjoy. But unfortunately, we still have bills to pay, pumpkins to replace, displays to maintain and a business to keep running."
Dodman acknowledged the organisers' efforts, saying the staff were 'actually great'. He added: "We all know trying to organise something like this would cost a bomb. Food van rates are through the roof, businesses are struggling, and the taxman will want his cut - and the prices of these places reflect it. To be honest, I don't blame the organisers or the vendors. It goes deeper than that."
Vandalism and Costs
Organisers have also revealed that the attraction has been targeted by vandals. They explained on Facebook: "Every morning, after a busy day welcoming families to our patch, we are faced with the heartbreaking sight of more and more pumpkins deliberately smashed, damaged displays and unnecessary mess left behind. And sadly, it's not just the pumpkins. We've also had displays, activities damaged and our skeletons pulled apart."
They stressed that it is a family-run operation: "We aren't a big company with endless amounts of money. People often only see the finished pumpkin patch, but what they don't see is the countless hours of work behind the scenes, the early mornings, the late nights and the financial commitment it takes to make all of this happen. When someone deliberately smashes a pumpkin, it isn't just a bit of harmless fun. That is money straight out of our family's pocket. Money we cannot get back. Every pumpkin that gets smashed is a pumpkin we can no longer sell. Every damaged display costs us more money to repair or replace. And when this happens day after day, those losses soon add up."
The post concluded with a warning that "anyone seen deliberately smashing or dropping pumpkins, or damaging our displays, will be asked to pay for the damage where appropriate and leave the site." They added: "We shouldn't have to spend our mornings clearing up deliberately smashed pumpkins after spending our days trying to create something special for everyone. To some people, it might be 'just a pumpkin', but to us, it's our livelihood, our hard work and our family's business. To everyone who visits, supports us and treats our patch with respect, we really cannot thank you enough. You are the reason we keep doing what we do."
