I’ve been to review a few pick you own pumpkins farms now, and we visited Lillingstone strawberry patch in the summer and I was impressed. Now autumn is here, it was time we checked out the pumpkin patch too! The farm itself is just north of Buckingham, Buckinghamshire. (It’s actually also quite close to Silverstone and on the day of our visit you could hear the racing in the background.) There’s lots to do on site, you’ll easily be here for a few hours. Most things are included with admission, but some activities do have an additional charge.
Our visit to Lillingstone pick your own pumpkins patch was very kindly gifted to us by the owners. They had no input into its contents and didn’t see the review prior to publication.
The pumpkin patch
I’ll start off with a review of the actual pumpkin patch at Lillingstone before I get to the other stuff. First up, it’s a good size and there’s a decent variety of pumpkins. I could have found out how big it is, but I doubt the acreage actually means very much to most of us. The first year that we went they didn’t have lots of massive ones because it was a terrible year for pumpkins. We went back for their torchlight session this year and they had some whoppers. It’s almost like growing conditions are important! They have the type of patch where the pumpkins are actually out in the field – which is my favourite kind.
It was surprisingly easy to get around the patch. I think they must have cut the vines back or something because there wasn’t loads to trip over like in other patches I’ve been to. They also have lots of photo props dotted around the site.
Prices range from £2 to £12 per pumpkin. White pumpkins are £1 extra.
Spooky tractor rides
There are optional spooky tractor rides for £4 per child and £2.50 per adult. This includes an activity booklet, spooky trail and prize. When we were given the booklet I thought it was going to be for the maize maze, but actually you’ll need it on the tractor ride. I was surprised how long the tractor rides are – nearly 10 minutes each.
As you go around it’s not just a ride in the tractor. They’ve actually put various props out along the route which help you answer the quiz questions.
Last year, just before we went Middle Child was having a little moan that he was a bit too big for trails now. Once we started to spot all of the stuff he was loving it! Turns out he’s not too old after all. This year there was none of that nonsense. The fact it he was on a tractor at night was cool enough for him!
The maize maze
I used to like mazes. I have a good sense of direction in the real world. Apparently I’ve recently lost all sense of direction when it comes to maize mazes and we got completely lost in here. Which is pretty special of us.
I also made the mistake of taking the wheelbarrow full of pumpkins into the maize maze with us. If I were you, I probably wouldn’t do that. It’s an absolute pain hefting a massive wheelbarrow around narrow corners trying to figure out where the hell you are! Particularly when it’s an unseasonably warm 18 degrees and you’re wearing a thick jumper!!
If you do successfully manage to navigate the maze then you’re looking for five hidden ingredients for the witches’ potion. We found four before we had to leave because we were late to meet some friends.
Everything else
On top of all this there’s also a hay bale fort, mud kitchen, Halloween themed games, mini-tractor rides and lots more photo opportunities. There’s also a cafe selling lots of treats and a little shop.
They also have pony rides available (£10 per person) and professional mini photo-shoots.
Lillingstone pumpkin patch by torchlight
Most of this review of Lillingstone pumpkin patch is based on a daytime visit last year, but we went back for a torchlight session this year. Exactly the same things are on offer, although you can also roast MASSIVE marshmallows for £2. I’m not sure if they’re available during the day and I forgot to ask. The tractor right by night is really good fun. It’s spookier, but it’s not scary, even for little ones.
Picking pumpkins by night is an experience. According to the kids it’s better than picking them during the day. I have no idea if the patch is bigger than last year because I couldn’t see it and it’s in a different place. It seemed to me that most of the pumpkins were the standard orange ones and it was fairly hard to find any of the funkier varieties. Because of the darkness that could just be because all of the funkier ones near us had already been picked and we needed to wander further in. I have no idea. I’d consciously only gone for a few pumpkins this time as a top-up to my pumpkin corner so I decided not to explore too hard. By the time we got anywhere near the patch we had been on site for well over an hour anyway. It did feel a bit like a magical mystery tour. Normally you can see if there’s a good bit and head straight for it. In the dark you really have to hunt, which adds to the experience.
Our Lillingstone pick your own pumpkins patch review
Out in the field is always going to be my favourite kind of pumpkin patch. I just don’t get the point of ones where they cut them all and stick them in a barn or (which somehow feels worse) cut them and lay them all out in lines on the grass! That’s definitely not how pumpkins grow and I always like the kids being able to see where their food actually comes from.
The tractor ride really surprised me. Not only was it a lot longer than I thought it was going to be, but the little features they’ve added made it really interesting. If you can make a 10 year old (who had just declared himself too old for this) smile the whole time, and try to rationalise if the witches in the hedge counted or not because he really wanted to get the right answer, then you’ve done a good job!
For the price you get an awful lot for your money. And, because they charge per car, bigger families like mine get an even better deal. Yes, the pumpkins themselves are not as cheap as you’ll find in a supermarket. But they’re not supposed to be. It’s not about mass production and I’d much rather the money went directly to an actual farmer than a massive supermarket anyway!!!
Admission cost
£8 per car (either pre-book or pay on the day). Pumpkins chargeable. Activities such as the tractor rides, pony rides and photo-shoots are at an additional charge. Torchlight sessions are £5 per person and only open on selsected dates.
Prices correct at the time this review of Lillingstone pick your own pumpkins patch was published / updated. Please visit their website for the latest prices and availability updates.
Parking / How to get there
Parking – Free, on-site
Address – Stockholt Farm, Lillingstone Dayrell, Buckingham, MK18 5AF
Toilets
Temporary loo block on site
Food
Small cafe on-site
What else is there to do nearby?
Both Silverstone Interactive Museum and Stowe gardens are nearby.
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Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook
