Doddington Hall and Gardens, near Lincoln, was named the best for the third year running in research carried out by Outdoor Toys – a children’s toys and play equipment company
A beautiful stately home has the best pumpkin picking in the UK, and it’s completely free.
Doddington Hall and Gardens, located near Lincoln, has been crowned the UK’s best pumpkin patch for the third year in a row by Outdoor Toys, a company specialising in children’s toys and play equipment. The study took into account various factors such as entry prices, location, social media popularity and Google search data.
With an overall ‘patch score’ of 9.49, Doddington Hall managed to surpass competitors like Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight, Millets Farm Centre in Oxfordshire and Lathcoats Farm on the Isle of Wight.
A big reason for its dominance at the top of the pumpkin-picking charts is that it’s free for adults and children to come pick. You just pay for the produce that you decide to go home with at the end of the day. That means you can soak up the delightful scenery of Doddington Hall and its gardens for free, if you don’t fancy taking home any pumpkins.
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“I can’t claim to be a pumpkin patch connoisseur, but having visited Doddington Hall several times, I can see why it’s a crowd-pleaser. The sheer beauty of the grounds is enough to draw visitors in, and it’s no surprise that the venue has become a social media sensation,” wrote Joe Griffin of Lincolnshire Live.
Joe stopped off at Doddington Hall in October last year and left laden with the autumnal vegetables and having had a great day out.
“The selection at Doddington Hall is truly impressive, boasting thirty different types of pumpkins, squash and gourds. The prices are quite reasonable too, starting from just £3 depending on size. Adding to the charm of the venue is their golden bottom competition. Each year, a certain number of pumpkins are sprayed gold underneath,” he wrote.
“If you’re lucky enough to find one, not only do you get the pumpkin for free, but you also win a family ticket to the Christmas in the Hall event and a 4ft homegrown Christmas tree from Doddington.
“What makes Doddington Hall such a draw for me, and I’m sure many others, is the opportunity to make a full day of it. You can browse the Farm Shop, visit the Bauble Barn or indulge in some incredible food at the Farm Shop Café or Grain Store Café. Plus, there are some stunning autumnal walks to be enjoyed around the estate grounds.
“The grub at Doddington Hall is top-notch. Without exception, my other half and I always pop into the Farm Shop Café during our visits to savour the delightful homemade dishes cooked fresh to order.”
If you fancy checking out the Lincolnshire pumpking patch yourself, it’s open from 1 to 31 October, 10am to 4pm daily, but only while stocks last. Pumpkin prices start from £4.
The UK’s 10 best pumpkin patches
- Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire
- Millets Farm Centre, Oxfordshire
- Lathcoats Farm, Essex
- Kenyon Hall Farm, Cheshire
- Darts Farm, Devon
- Charleton Fruit Farm, Angus
- Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Swansea
- Mr Pumpkin, Derbyshire
- Orway Porch Farm, Devon
- Garson’s Farm, Surrey