I will confess that in the past I have not been one for Halloween. Growing up, I didn’t go trick-or-treating or set up a pumpkin carving station with the family. I don’t know why, I suppose my family had always seen it as an American holiday and besides, we have always been a strictly fanatic Christmas festivities household. But 2023 feels different, like a chance to embrace a change of ways…

I researched pumpkin patches near me and many articles/blog posts raved about Tulley’s Farm. I didn’t know what to expect, but on a brisk October morning, I ventured to the place.

You are greeted at the entrance by whimsical autumnal characters and the staff are incredibly friendly. As you wander around, the place has a familiar vibe to a theme park. Fanciful sweet treats, a ferris wheel, a large gift shop and American style fast-food - and this is all before we get to the pumpkins!! The space is huge! And with so much variety of tiny pumpkins and unusual gourds, you are spoiled for choice. I pictured what my tablescape could look like for autumn dinner parties. The smaller pumpkins would also work perfectly for those fine details of your front door decorations. For my dream cottage, I imagine a haystack pile, with pumpkins, munchkins and gourds galore! My theme would be a harvest festival, adorned with fallen leaves, sunflowers and corn on the cob.

After losing a couple of hours just admiring the beginning of the farm, I finally moved myself to the actual main reason I was there - picking my pumpkin!

*Wearing Beaufort & Blake. My sherpa gilet can be found here:* *https://www.beaufortandblake.com/products/alkham-ecru-sherpa-gilet*

You have the option to roam freely or grab a wheelbarrow. It was so cute to see all the young families and couples enjoying their time amongst the rows and rows of pumpkins. For the social media lovers, don’t worry the pumpkin field offers plenty of photo ops. There are photo-taking stations available with harvest festival vibes. Alternatively, you can hop yourself in the wheelbarrow and take a cheeky snap! The day I visited, it was muddy and my clever brain opted for white jeans (I know, I know), so it was a fun challenge trying to avoid picking up muddy pumpkins. I made it through unscathed luckily and found my wonky beauty (pictured above). I like the imperfect shaped ones, because they look more authentic.

Being at the farm, I can easily see how one could spend a half-day there. You’ll have fun and there’s plenty of amusements. I will say though, I’ve been spoiled with the American pumpkin patches. The year before I visited one in Hamilton county. Both UK and American patches have similar things except - the American one had a petting farm, a corn maze and a hay ride driven by a tractor. I feel like these elements would help places like Tulley’s feel even more special. Those extra elements would probably mean you’d spend a full day there and it’s fun for all ages, not just the kids. But I am nit-picking, Tulley’s is an exceptional place and for a Halloween novice such as myself, I really enjoyed the magic of being there . It’s definitely going to be a yearly visit in my household.

Book your tickets to Tulley’s Farm here: https://www.tulleysfarm.com/

PYO Pumpkins Time!

Bath Christmas Markets