Pumpkin Picking Near London: Your Family Guide to Hobbledown's First Pumpkin Picking Event
15th Sept 2026
Looking for pumpkin picking near London? This autumn, Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park and Zoo in Epsom, Surrey is opening its very first pumpkin picking event, and it comes with a whole adventure park attached. From 26 September to 1 November 2026, you can pick your pumpkin, meet the Hobbledown characters, toast marshmallows and then let off steam in the indoor play barns. Rain or shine, it's a full day out.
What's on at Hobbledown's Pumpkin Event 2026
Pumpkins, Play and Family Adventure is Hobbledown Epsom's first-ever pumpkin event, running from 26 September to 1 November. Here's what's waiting for you:
- The Lawn of Orange. Thousands of pumpkins in every shape and size. Wander, compare, and pick the one that's yours.
- Photo points galore. Themed autumn displays dotted around the park, made for the family album.
- Trick or Treat Trail. Follow the trail with the Hobbledown characters every day of October half term, Monday 26 to Friday 30 October.
- Marshmallow toasting. Gather round the fire for a gooey treat (small extra charge).
- The whole park. Your ticket includes everything Hobbledown does best: indoor and outdoor play, the Imaginarium, the animals and daily keeper talks.
Most pumpkin patches are a field and a wheelbarrow. This event is a pumpkin festival inside an adventure park, with a zoo, indoor play barns and the Imaginarium thrown in, so a wet forecast doesn't wreck the day.
Dates, times and prices at a glance
| Event dates | 26 September to 1 November 2026 |
| Opening times | 10am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 5:30pm Friday to Sunday. Open 10am to 5:30pm every day from 26 October |
| Closed days | Wednesday 7 and Wednesday 14 October. Open every day from 15 October |
| Trick or Treat Trail | Every day from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October |
| Park admission | From £16.50 per person |
| Open-dated tickets | From £26.50 per person |
| Ultimate Family Ticket | From £95 for families of 3 to 5, includes meals and souvenirs |
| Pumpkins | Priced individually and paid for on the day. Not included in admission |
| Marshmallow toasting | Small additional charge |
| Booking | Book online in advance. Half-term dates are super peak and expected to sell out |
Is pumpkin picking included in the ticket price?
Entry to the pumpkin event is included with your Hobbledown park ticket. The pumpkins themselves are priced individually, so once you've found the one, you pay for it on the day and take it home. That means you can visit for the whole park experience and pick a pumpkin as the cherry on top. Or the pumpkin on top, if you like.
How to pick the perfect pumpkin
Choosing a pumpkin is half the fun, and little hands can do it all. Here's our five-step guide:
- Look for even colour. A deep, all-over orange means it's ripe.
- Give it a tap. A hollow sound is a good sign.
- Check the stem. Firm and dry is best. Never carry a pumpkin by its stem, as it can snap.
- Feel for soft spots. Press gently around the base. Firm all over means it'll last.
- Pick one you can carry. Or one a grown-up can carry. We won't judge.
How long will my pumpkin last?
A whole, uncarved pumpkin will usually keep for several weeks if you store it somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun. So one chosen in late September should still be looking its best for Halloween. Give it a firm squeeze and check the stem before you choose, and it'll last longer.
Once carved, a pumpkin lasts around three to five days. We don't carve at Hobbledown, so take yours home whole, carve it as close to Halloween as you can, keep it out of the rain, and pop it somewhere cool overnight to stretch its life.
What to wear and bring
Wellies or sturdy trainers are a must. It's a farm park in October. Layers beat one big coat, because children run hot in the play barns and cold on the lawn. Bring a change of clothes for little ones, a bag or tote for your pumpkin, and a fully charged phone for the photo points. Pushchairs are welcome throughout the park, and if the heavens open, the indoor play areas mean the day carries on regardless.
Make it a full October half term day out
Hobbledown's pumpkin picking event is a perfect family day out for October half term in Surrey. From Monday 26 October the park is open 10am to 5:30pm every day, and the Trick or Treat Trail runs daily through to Friday 30 October. Here's a day that works:
- Arrive at 10am. Head straight to the animals while it's quiet and catch the first keeper talk.
- Late morning. The Lawn of Orange. Pick your pumpkin before the lunchtime rush.
- Lunch. Refuel at the café, or bring a picnic.
- Afternoon. The Trick or Treat Trail with the Hobbledown characters, then marshmallow toasting.
- Last hour. Indoor play to burn off the final bit of energy before the drive home.
Looking for Halloween events in Surrey that aren't too spooky for small children? The trail is designed for families, so toddlers and teens can join in together.
Getting to Hobbledown from London and Surrey
Hobbledown Epsom is on Horton Lane, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8PT, with free on-site parking. The nearest station is Epsom, around two miles away, with regular trains from London Waterloo and Victoria, then a short taxi or bus ride to the park.
We're an easy drive from Sutton, Kingston, Leatherhead, Wimbledon, Croydon and Guildford, and well inside an hour from most of south and south-west London. Pop KT19 8PT into your sat nav and follow the pumpkins.
Pumpkin picking at Hobbledown: your questions answered
Book your pumpkin day
Pumpkins, Play and Family Adventure runs 26 September to 1 November 2026 at Hobbledown Epsom. Pick your date, pick your pumpkin, and make an autumn memory the whole family will talk about.