Balgone Pumpkins, described as Scotland's largest pumpkin patch, has been named the only Scottish entry in a new top 10 list of the best pumpkin patches across the UK. The ranking was compiled by family holiday specialists Ski Famille, who analysed 27 pumpkin patches with at least 100 Google reviews, listing them by their exact average star rating.
Scottish site ranks 10th with 4.72-star rating
Balgone Pumpkins rounded out the list in 10th place with an average 4.72 star rating based on 116 reviews. Located on the Balgone Estate in East Lothian, just 35 minutes from Edinburgh, the site is hailed as "second to none" by visitors and has become a firm favourite during spooky season.
The massive 10-acre site is said to offer around 70,000 varieties of pumpkins and squashes, making it "the biggest" patch in the country. With around 27 varieties to choose from, families will have lots of choice for carving and making cosy autumnal recipes.
Opening dates and ticket details
The East Lothian site will run this year on October 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and 31. Tickets cost £18 per car, or per a walking group of up to five people, with the price covering the entire group. Open from 9am to 4pm each day, the pumpkin patch offers visitors hourly slot visits, with the final entry being 3pm.
Those interested in getting their slot in early ahead of its opening later this month are encouraged to do so on the Balgone Estate website. The extensive Balgone estate is said to be "curated with picturesque spots" for those autumnal memories, such as a 2.5km haunted trail around Balgone lakes. It also offers extensive on-site catering, with street food traders, the Herd café and the Balgone BBQ.
Visitor reviews praise the patch
Balgone Pumpkins' appearance on the top 10 list won't come as a surprise to previous visitors. Many of the Google reviews praise the Scottish location as an "autumn must" and "a must see."
One previous visitor wrote: "The pumpkin patch is second to none, the best spread and so much cheaper than other patches. (Some better than supermarket prices too!) The best thing is the haunted trail, can't find this anywhere else, the kids absolutely loved it and so did I, such an amazing setting."
A second review read: "A must see! Full of spooky surprises all around the Balgone Estate! Super imaginative displays which really entertain all ages. Lots of new surprises for 2025! Helpful friendly witches too!"
Another delighted customer said: "Fantastic day out with the family at Balgone Estate to pick pumpkins and squashes from their pumpkin patch. A great 'haunted trail' to follow round the loch and a good selection of food trucks. An autumn must!"
Alex Dyer, Managing Director at Ski Famille, said: "Pumpkin picking has become a proper family day out, and the cost can creep up quickly once you add entry, a pumpkin each and a tractor ride. What comes through in the reviews is that families are happy to pay when there's plenty to do and a good choice of pumpkins.
"It's paying to get in and then finding very little in the field that really annoys people. I'd always check whether a pumpkin is included in the ticket before you book, and go early in the season if you want the best choice."
Full top 10 list revealed
The Ski Famille list also revealed the top 10 lowest-rated pumpkin patches that Scotland did not appear on. Across these sites, the most common complaint was paying to get in and then paying again for the pumpkin, rides and food.
The full top 10 pumpkin patches across the UK are: Yorkshire Pumpkins, Cundall, near York (4.94 out of 5, 109 reviews); Ryman's Pumpkins, Wall, near Lichfield (4.90 out of 5, 110 reviews, joint second); The 110 Pumpkin Patch, Woodley, Stockport (4.90 out of 5, 110 reviews, joint second); Otto's Pumpkin Patch, Cressing, near Braintree (4.89 out of 5, 262 reviews); The Pumpkin Patch at Bewholme, near Driffield (4.79 out of 5, 167 reviews); Mr Pumpkin, near Derby (4.76 out of 5, 388 reviews); Rougham Sunflowers and Pumpkins, near Bury St Edmunds (4.74 out of 5, 159 reviews); Nottinghamshire Pick Your Own Pumpkins, near Southwell (4.73 out of 5, 188 reviews); Jolly Pumpkin, Silverton, near Exeter (4.73 out of 5, 146 reviews); and Balgone Pumpkins, near North Berwick (4.72 out of 5, 116 reviews).
