The Patch MK wasn’t just my first pumpkin patch review, it was my first ever trip to a pumpkin patch! Since then we’ve been back a couple of times to visit their sunflower fields, and been to multiple pumpkin patches. It’s far from Stacey Solomon’s standards, but I now have my own little autumn corner every year, and it’s all thanks to the Patch MK!
We were very kindly invited down to visit The Patch MK to do this review of their pumpkin patch, but they had no input into its contents and didn’t see it prior to publication.
Overall impressions before I start? Wow! But I’m actually going to let Hubby have the summary because I think he put it really well. “Every year the pumpkin patch at Patch MK just gets better and better, they’ve really stepped up their game again.” And this was the man who was in the car literally 5 minutes before asking why we’re going to the same place “again”?
The pumpkin patch at Patch MK
The star of the show is of course the actual pumpkin patch. I’m really pleased that it’s not all pre-cut pumpkins laid out on the grass. Here you actually have to go and get right in there to find your perfect pumpkin. Most of the vines are still there (although they have been cut back I assume so you can actually get around a bit) so you have to genuinely hunt for some of the little ones. And that’s part of the fun – the kids running around like nutters trying to find the “perfect pumpkin”.
I also noticed that the patch closest to the entrance has had almost all of the vines removed so it’s really accessible. Much easier if you’ve got little ones or you’re trying to get a pushchair around. Plus there are some areas where there’s pretty much no vines and just pre-cut pumpkins for maximum access.
This patch is now GINORMOUS. And by patch, I actually mean patches as they’re broken up by grass footpaths. Since our first review of the pumpkin patch at the Patch MK, I reckon they must have made it about eight times bigger. It goes on forever. There is an incredible variety of pumpkins in the patch. There’s orange ones, white ones, green ones, red ones, stripey ones, knobbly ones, big ones, little ones, massive ones and everything in between! This year’s favourite had to be the banana ones. Middle Child spent the entire time picking up every single one he could find until he found the biggest one. Apparently they’ve good eaters and Hubby already has his eye on a recipe for it.
Little tip though. This is a FIELD. A field full of MUD. There are vines and pumpkins EVERYWHERE! Make sure you dress appropriately (wellies, clothes you don’t mind getting messy). It’s quite an exposed location so wrap up warm. There’s limited cover so bring a brolly or waterproof coat if the weather looks iffy.
There are some really great photos to be taken in the middle of the pumpkin patch itself. Either of the kids just wandering around the patch or at the numerous creative piles of pumpkins lying around! It’s a shame I don’t post photos of the kids’ faces because I have a lovely photo of all five of us around one of these piles. You have to put up with a picture of my mug instead!
Insta Pumpkin Farm
OK – not everyone is going to be interested in getting all muddy and trying to negotiate the pumpkins and vines with a wheelbarrow. But you still want to get some cool pics and a pumpkin to carve (or even, shockingly, EAT!). That’s where the props come in. The house has had a make-over this year and the sheer number of props they have dotted around is just insane now!
It started as the pumpkin house and the massive sign in year one. Each year we have been back to review the pumpkin patch at The Patch MK they’ve added more and more props. So much so some of the old ones are now relegated to the main welcome area.
There’s also loads of other photo spots and props dotted around the patch. I’ll be honest, the patch is now so big and we’d already collected 1,000,000 pumpkins so I didn’t even explore the whole thing or all the props!
Wheelbarrows
To help you carry your massive haul of pumpkins you can borrow a wheelbarrow. It’s one per family and you pick them up from the car park. The wheelbarrows are surprisingly nimble so, even with Smallest Child sat inside (OK, this is a couple of years ago when she was still cute in a wheelbarrow) I could still get around the patch. Obviously, for safety reasons don’t let the kids sit in the wheelbarrows. That would be bad…
The play area and games
There’s a fair amount of other stuff to keep everyone entertained. There’s a bale maze, games and slides. Once again, they have stepped it up year after year. Now there’s also paint-balling (£6.50 per person) and marshmallow roasting. There’s also actors that come out throughout the day to see the kids (we met a lovely witch).
They also offer tractor rides, for £3 per person. I didn’t try them this time because last time I did I very nearly got my butt stuck and getting out was the least elegant thing I’ve ever done!
The cute beach hut has been transformed into a games hut. At one end there’s zombie operation at the other end there’s a knock ’em down game. Be warned it is NOISY in here.
You’ll also find a couple of photo boards for some really cute pics. And you can finally find out what your height is in pumpkins! Thank goodness there isn’t a find your weight in pumpkins option!!!!!!!!
Food
Whenever we’ve eaten here it’s been nice. Drinks are also available. It’s not the cheapest food, but it is quality food. There’s also a coffee cart and waffles.
Our review of the pumpkin patch at The Patch MK
As we were driving out Hubby said that the pumpkin, and the Patch MK in general is one of the best places we review. Previously it was just about the pumpkins. That’s not actually a bad thing, running around the patch itself is part of the fun, but as they’ve added more and more stuff it’s become more of a day out. It was surprising the number of people was saw leaving who had brought either no or just one pumpkin!
I thought there was a really good variety of pumpkins, and at reasonable prices. You can easily spend a couple of hours there and all of the staff we spoke to were lovely. The thought they’ve put into all the little extras do make it more of an experience than just a shopping trip.
Other local half term activities
I’ve put together a list of other local pumpkin patches (check those out here) as well as general October half term activities – which you can find here.
Admission cost and pumpkin prices
Open every weekend in October from the 5th and then 26th – 31st of October 2024. Tickets are already on sale. £4.50 per person. Under 18 months are free. As well as the pumpkin patch there will be lots of other things to do on site. They’ve also got The Patch MK after dark on the 11th/12th/18th/19th/25th-27th/29th/30th October. £10.95 per person.
Pumpkins prices depend on size and colour. They start at £2 for a little one and £10 for a massive one. (£1 for a munchkin) There are pumpkin carving kits and LED tea-lights for sales as well.
All prices correct at the time this review of the pumpkin patch at The Patch MK was published / updated. Please visit their website for the latest prices.
Parking / How to get there
Address – The Patch MK, Mount Mill Farm, Milton Keynes, Bucks. MK19 6DG
Parking – there is a car park on site. When you arrive at the farm there’s a sign posted road to the left of the main drive. Just follow that to get to the car park.
Toilets
Mobile toilet unit on-site. Even these have had an upgrade since they first opened!
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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