I don’t remember PYO pumpkins being a thing but it is apparently. That said, although lots of farm shops sell pumpkins, I found surprisingly few Sussex PYO pumpkin farms and was saddened to learn of the demise of the epic Slindon Pumpkin Festival. But undeterred and as pumpkin picking does seem to be a popular, wholesome, and worthy pursuit, here are five PYO sites that I managed to find spread nicely across our county.
Sompting Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch
Just off the A27 in between Worthing and Brighton at Lychpole Farm, the Sompting Pumpkin is described as, “For the budding pumpkinologists, there are 25 acres of pumpkins to pick, and for the crafty, lots to create, make and take home.“. Their 2023 picking dates are: 7th and 8th, 14th and 15th and 22nd to 29th October 2023. Sompting Pumpkins are on Instagram.
Manor Farm, Bignor
Open weekends from the 7th of October 2023 and daily from 21st to 31st of October 2023 from 10 am until 3.30 pm. Admission is free and there are refreshments on the Pumpkin Barn. More details on their Facebook page.
Rogate Pumpkin Patch
Rogate Pumpkin Patch is halfway between Midhurst and Petersfield on the A272. Picking is open from 13th to 29th October 2023 (10 am to 3 pm). Booking is required. They also have “Merlin’s Wood to explore, Halloween décor, haystacks to climb, barrel rides and go-karts to whizz around in and maize to run through plus lots of pumpkin fun!”
Camelia Botnar Pumpkin Patch
Just outside Horsham and Cowfold, you can pick your own pumpkin at Camelia Botnar on the 14th and 15th, 21st and 22nd and 23rd to 29th of October 2023.
Tulleys Pumpkin Farm
Just outside Turners Hill on the road to Crawley, Tulleys Farm hosts a pumpkin experience /festival that includes costumed characters walking amongst the pumpkins. Their picking days are: 23rd, 24th and 30th September, and 1st, 7th, 8th, 13th to 15th, 18th to 29th October 2023. They offer daytime and nighttime picking sessions but you need to book.
South Farm at Rodmell
At the wonderfully named Cricketing Bottom, from Lewes go through the village of Rodmell, and after about 100 metres turn right down a farm track. The folks here are also raising money for The Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance Charity. Their pumpkin picking starts on the 14th October 2023 and they have a guess the weight of the pumpkin competition.
Stonehill Farm, Chiddingly
Last but not least of our Sussex PYO pumpkin farms, on the road between Horam and Chiddingly, Stonehill is a good old-fashioned PYO farm. They will be open on the 14th and 15th of October and 21st-29th of October 2023. No booking is required.
Happy picking folks, or more importantly, happy carving and souping thereafter!
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