Hatter's Farm Pick Your Own Pumpkin has everything you want from a modern pumpkin patch. We were invited to the family farm in Bishops Stortford to check out what’s happening this year and gifted entry and experiences for Instagram coverage. Hatter's Farm is in a great location and within easy reach of Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridge or even London. 

There are probably 3 main reasons to head to a pumpkin patches: get pumpkins, take seasonal photographs and to have fun. Hatter's ticks all 3 boxes.

Now updated for 2024

Find out what there is to do at Hatter's Farm Pumpkin Patch this year

What Is There To Do At Hatter’s Farm Pick Your Own Pumpkin?

The Pumpkin Patch

Hatter's Farm has a really large pumpkin patch with a variety of pumpkins spread over a large field. The pumpkin patch is what I think of as a proper pumpkin patch. These aren’t lined up rows of pumpkins on straw, but an actual field where pumpkins grow. The pumpkins are all cut from the plants, and spread across the field. 

As it's an actual field it may be muddy and bumpy in places, there are pathways covered wood chip running through the field though which make it easier to use your wheelbarrow (that you can collect at the entrance).

Throughout the field there are props for photos including a large wooden chair, Hollywood style 'HATTERS' letters, a piano and more.

As well as the fields full of pumpkins you can choose from the squash and pumpkins on display around the farm. There is a huge range to choose from including cute baby ones which are only £1. In fact all the pumpkins are a reasonable price (more than the supermarket but less than a lot of places). If you aren’t sure what size a pumpkin is ask at the tills, the staff are really helpful and have hoops they can check the sizes with. The largest pumpkins this year "whoppers" cost £12.

An actual pumpkin patch where pumpkins have grown

Prices of the Pumpkin and Squash at Hatter's Farm

Photo Opportunities

From the pumpkin house, a giant wooden chair, a giant wellington boot, hay bale spider, spooky pianos, a tractor, coffin shape boxes and squash/ pumpkin displays there are so many things to take photos of and with. 

Watch out for spiders, although this one is hard to miss

One of many pianos around the site available for you to play

There are plenty of places for photo opportunities around the site

Activities

• Hatter's Haunted Mad House: an undercover walk through with ghosts, clowns and more. It’s not super scary and my children 3, 6 and 11 were fine with it. I believe that on the evening events this is scarier with possible actor additions. 
• The Hay Bale Maze: A small maze for little people
• The Hay Bale Mountain: stacked up hay bales which children can climb up.
• The Maize Maze (additional charge). I am hugely impressed that we went in the entrance, found the middle and made it out the exit, I’m not sure how as we are generally awful at mazes. We made a few wrong turns on our way though. It’s only when you reach the middle and climb hay bale tower or cross the bridge that you’ll realise just how big the maize is. Apparently it’s over 7 acres, but if that means as much to you as it does to me: it’s big. As an extra bit of entertainment on your way round this year there are 8 signs to read, 4 of these have some finger paint on in different colours. You put one colour on each finger and then when you leave you can match this up with your fortune to depending on which order you put the colours. Bring babywipes!  There were a few emergency exits (I’m not sure if these are intentional or they have been made where people wanted to escape) so you won’t be stuck in there forever if you do get lost. The Maize Maze costs £3 per person or £2.50 if you book in advance (0-3 years/ non walkers are free). 
• Pumpkin Cannon (additional charge). The first attraction in the UK to have a pumpkin cannon. My children loved firing baby pumpkins out of a cannon at Halloween targets. Age restrictions apply (but basically supervision of children is required and small children couldn't reach the control anyway). Closes 1 hour after last arrival slot of the day. It costs £2.50 a shot or 3 for £7.
• There is Halloween themed face painting available (Additional charge)
• New for 2024 there is marshmallow toasting. Buy a giant marshmallow and stick (discount for multiples) and toast over the fire pits. 

The Halloween themed Spooky Shack is child friendly

Heading into the Maize Maze at Hatter's Farm

Firing pumpkins at targets with a purpose build cannon

What Else You Need To Know Before Visiting Hatter’s Farm Pick Your Own Pumpkin

Booking

You need to book a slot online before visiting. It costs £3 to £5 per person plus booking fee and they have some evening events as well as day time which cost £7. 

When Is It Open?

Daytime: 9:30am-4:30pm on the 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th. 10:00am-5:00pm on 23rd to 31st.
Pumpkin Nights: 5:00pm - 9:00pm on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 27th to 30th of October

How Long Will Your Visit Take?

We were at the farm for about 90 minutes of which about 20/25 minutes was in the maze (it didn’t feel like that long through). The website says you can stay for up to 2 hours (or less if closing time), but no one would be chasing you out.

Paying For Pumpkins

You can pay with cash or card, although card is encouraged. There isn’t a load of merchandise available like at some places so it’s only a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins (and squash) you'll be talked into buying by your children.

There are a huge variety of squash and pumpkins to choose from and take home

Toilets

There are portaloos available, we didn’t use them so I can’t confirm what they are like. 

Food

You are welcome to bring your own food, but there is food and drink available to buy. Local small business Waffle & Co are selling sweet and savoury waffles from their food truck as well as fries. There are hot drinks from Truckhiato and a bar selling cold and alcoholic drinks. 

Muddy Uneven Ground

On some of our visits the ground has been muddy (and a bit slippy in the maize maze). Trainers can be ok, but I definitely recommend wellies. If it has been raining a lot recently or you don’t want to get your shoes muddy then wear wellies. When we got our of the car it felt really windy and exposed, but when we were in the actual farm it wasn’t so windy. 

This also means pushchairs and people with disabilities might struggle.

Can you bring your dog?

Dogs are welcome on the farm. They need to be kept on a lead at all times. 

Where is Hatter’s Farm?

Parking 

There is a large onsite car park. 

Other Pumpkin Patches and Halloween Activities Near By

If you are looking for another pumpkin patch in Essex or a Halloween activity to enjoy this half term check out this post.