Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Hatter’s Farm in Essex

Pumpkin picking in Essex

We were invited along for pumpkin picking at Hatter’s Farm in Essex and we had such a brilliant time! Situated in Takeley in Bishops Stortford, Hatter’s Farm really is the perfect place to pick your pumpkins. They have lots of fun activities for the kids to enjoy which makes this a great family day out for Halloween 2023.

I was really impressed by Hatter’s Farm, I loved the fact there was a large barn with picnic tables to relax with a snack or drink, or maybe keep out of the rain. There was plenty of space to play, lots of photo opportunities and characters to meet and a huge selection of pumpkins that were reasonably priced! It was fabulous and we loved it! A definite highlight was the Hatter’s Fun House!

If you’re looking for other fun Halloween days out or half term activities, then check out some of our favourite Halloween Days out in Essex.

Everything you need to know about pumpkin picking at Hatter’s Farm in Essex:

Hatter’s Farm Pick Your Own Pumpkin experience

Hatter’s Farm are open on the following dates for pumpkin picking:

1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th October from 9:30am – 4:30pm (last entry 3:30) and from 21st to 29th October 10am-5pm.

They also have Pumpkin Nights where you can enjoy it lit up by fairy lights, running from 21st to 29th October, 5pm-8:30pm (last entry 7:30pm).

Hatter’s Farm is super easy to get to, whether you’re coming from London, Essex, Hertfordshire or Cambridge CM22 6NP. On arrival, you are directed to a free parking space, before being greeted at check in.

Hatter’s Farm have lots of activities to enjoy at their pumpkin including:

• Pumpkin Picking
• Hatter’s Fun House
• Pumpkin Cannons
• Maize Maze
• Spooky Live Characters
• Bale Mountain
• Face Painting
• Plenty of photo Opportunities

The Pumpkin Patch at Hatter’s Farm

Hatter’s Farm Pumpkin Patch is a great spot for pumpkin picking in Essex with so many varieties to choose from. It has a huge array of pumpkins and squash in all colours, arranged in groups to make them easy to find. You can grab a wheelbarrow and head into the fields to pick your own pumpkin, or select one from one of the displays. You are spoilt for choice.

There are plenty of great photo opportunities dotted around the field for you to find, including a giant wellie boot, an enormous chair and floral door.

Once you have made your selection, your pumpkins are measured and priced on checkout and were extremely reasonably priced. I bought some squash too, as they are great for an autumnal dinner and keep for absolutely ages.

Hatter’s Fun House

We began our adventure at the Hatter’s Fun House, a walkway immersed in a spooky clown theme. It was an absolute blast to navigate through, filled with delightful surprises at every turn. The ‘glow in the dark’ rooms, eerie ghosts and mischievous clowns added to the excitement. The creators did an outstanding job decking it out with creepy characters and props. What’s particularly fantastic about it is that it offers entertainment for both younger and older children alike. We loved this!

Other activities

There were plenty of photo opportunities and several Halloween characters roaming around the pumpkin patch to join in with the fun. They all kept in character and were so friendly and interactive. We loved the friendly scarecrow who happily jumped in a few pics with us and entertained the kids!

There is a huge bale mountain to climb, a hay bale maze, the maize maze and the pumpkin cannon.

The Pumpkin Cannons were great fun! Extremely loud but you get issued with ear defenders. Your cannon is loaded and once your given direction on how to use it, you aim and shoot at one of the fun spooky character targets. If you get lucky and hit you target, your pumpkin explodes! The kids thought this was fun. There is an extra charge for this.

During your visit you can get lost in the Maize Maze. Spread over 7 acres and full of all sorts of twists and turns. You can purchase a game card on site,, you then walk around the maze, solve the clues to find letters to make up a Halloween related word! If you solved the clues, you then get a chance to enter a competition. There is an extra charge for this, it is £3.50 per person or 4 for £12 (Under 3 yr olds / non-walkers go free). 

Catering options at Hatter’s Farm:

In the pumpkin patch area the have a couple of catering vans with some seasonal food and drinks options. Including some yummy looking waffles from the Waffle & Co.

Ticket Prices

Tickets cost £2-£4 depending on what date you book for.

Toilets and free parking on site.

Thank you for reading ‘Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Hatter’s Farm in Essex’.

We were gifted this experience but please note that all comments and opinions are strictly my own.