Grange Farm in Lowton, Warrington, is launching its Pumpkin Festival this weekend, with visitors able to add on a trip to meet the venue's Highland cows. The event begins on Saturday, October 10, when families will have the pick of the crop, and the first weekend is usually quieter than most, giving guests more time for photos.
Highland cow experience at Grange Farm
The farm, just off the East Lancs Road, has been home to Highland cows for more than 10 years and welcomed some baby calves earlier this year while investing in a new purpose-built building for them. This summer it launched an experience for visitors to meet them, brush their hair and feed them, as well as meeting some of the other farm animals.
That can now be added to the pumpkin event, which includes fairground rides, a country music band, face painting, live shows and more. Visitors book on for a two-hour slot, with sessions beginning at 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm. Dogs are welcome on site but must be kept on a lead and aren't allowed on the pumpkin patch itself or the eating tent.
Dates, tickets and other patches
A variety of food and drink will be available, including pumpkin-themed treats and hot drinks. The festival runs across the weekends of October 10/11, 17/19 and 24/25, then daily from October 27 to 30 during October half term. Tickets cost £5 each, with pumpkins sold separately, and can be booked online. Tickets to meet the cows cost £12.50 and can be bought on the day, subject to availability.
Other pumpkin picking events this year include Kenyon Hall Farm in Warrington, home to 50 different varieties; Summerseat Garden Centre in Bury, with a free indoor pumpkin patch and trail; and Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm in Altrincham. All-American Billy Bob's Diners in Lancashire and Skipton are offering pumpkin picking, haunted trails and barn bounce houses. Farms across Greater Manchester include Lancaster Park and Animal Farm in Chadderton, Reddish Vale Farm in Stockport and Cockfields Farm on the border of Oldham and Ashton.
Full list of pumpkin picking venues
Here is the full list of places to pick pumpkins this season: Lancaster Park and Animal Farm (Chadderton), Kenyon Hall Farm (Croft), Roby Mill Pumpkin Patch (Up Holland), Jersey Girls (Bury), Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm (Altrincham), Cockfields Farm (Ashton-under-Lyne), Reddish Vale Farm (Stockport), Brookheys Farm (Altrincham), Magical Malpas PYO Farm (Whitchurch), Summerseat Garden Centre (Bury), The Hayloft (Great Sankey), Bates Farm (Croft), Windmill Animal Farm (Burscough), Farmer Bertie's Pumpkin Patch (Glazebury), The Lambing Shed (Knutsford), Smithills Open Farm (Bolton), Haigh Woodland Park (Wigan), Tatton Park (Knutsford), Libby's Patch Farm (Gawsworth), High Legh Pumpkin Patch (High Legh), Pye Ash Farm (Bosley), Snugburys (Hurleston), Farmer Ted's Adventure Farm (Ormskirk), Birchall's Pumpkin Patch (Rainford) and Mrs Dowsons Farm Park (Blackburn).
