When you think of pumpkin picking, you might picture families with little ones choosing pumpkins to carve for Halloween. But what if you’re looking for a lovely autumn day out as a couple?
As a child-free couple in our mid-thirties, we wanted to find something a little different to do together this autumn. Pumpkin picking seemed like the perfect excuse to get outdoors, embrace the season and enjoy a date day that didn’t revolve around the usual meals out or trips to the cinema.
Neither of us had ever been pumpkin picking before, so on 10 October 2026, we headed to Horncastle Farm in Havercroft, West Yorkshire, to give it a go.
Honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better place for our first experience. We started with hot chocolate, grabbed a wheelbarrow and spent a happy afternoon wandering through the pumpkin field in search of the smallest, strangest and most unusual pumpkins we could find. There were photo opportunities along the way, plenty of pumpkins to choose from and even time for a second wander before we headed to The Tatie Shed for burgers and a glass of wine.
It turned out to be so much more than simply picking pumpkins. The combination of a beautiful setting, a relaxed atmosphere and somewhere to enjoy food and drinks afterwards made it feel like a proper autumn date.
If you’re looking for pumpkin picking in Yorkshire and wondering whether Horncastle Farm is worth visiting, here’s what our first experience was really like.
Where Is Horncastle Farm?
Horncastle Farm is located in Havercroft, West Yorkshire, and hosts seasonal events including its annual pumpkin festival.
We visited specifically for the pumpkin picking, but one of the things that made our trip so enjoyable was the opportunity to turn it into a whole afternoon out. We could explore the field at our own pace, stop for drinks and finish with a meal at The Tatie Shed.
For us, that combination made Horncastle Farm particularly appealing as a couples’ autumn activity. It offered the fun of doing something seasonal and a little different, without feeling as though the experience was exclusively designed around children.
Our First Time Pumpkin Picking
Neither of us had been pumpkin picking before, so we were really looking forward to seeing what it was like.
We went in early October, which turned out to be a lovely time to visit. It wasn’t overly busy, so we could take our time exploring the field without feeling rushed or having to navigate around lots of other people.
We started with a nice hot chocolate before heading out to the pumpkin patch. Once we’d finished our drinks, we grabbed a wheelbarrow and set off on our pumpkin-picking mission.
Our plan wasn’t to find the biggest pumpkins for carving. Instead, we wanted to pick smaller, unusual-looking pumpkins that we could use to create an autumn display outside my home.
Luckily, Horncastle Farm had plenty of choice!
Picking Pumpkins at Horncastle Farm
One of my favourite things about Horncastle Farm was the variety of pumpkins available.
There were pumpkins in all sorts of shapes and sizes, which made wandering around the field and deciding which ones to take home part of the fun. Some were still growing on the vine, too, giving it that proper pick-your-own feel rather than simply choosing from piles of pumpkins that had already been harvested.
We spent our time walking through the field, looking for the most unusual pumpkins we could find. Rather than picking the first ones we spotted, we enjoyed taking a proper look around and seeing what caught our eye.
We were particularly impressed by how easy it was to find the smaller, more unusual varieties we wanted. If you’re looking to create an autumn display rather than carve traditional Halloween pumpkins, there was plenty of choice.
Of course, we couldn’t resist a little bit of competition to see who could find the weirdest-looking pumpkin!
Photo Opportunities in the Pumpkin Patch
As well as the pumpkins themselves, there were some lovely photo opportunities dotted around the field.
I’m always a fan of places that give you the chance to capture a few seasonal photos without the whole experience feeling like one big photoshoot. We stopped at several of the photo spots as we made our way around the patch.
With the pumpkins, autumn colours and countryside setting, it was a lovely place to take photos. I’d definitely recommend taking your phone or camera with you, particularly if you enjoy capturing memories from your days out.
Drinks in the Marquee and Another Wander Around the Field
Once we’d had a good look around the pumpkin patch and filled our wheelbarrow, we headed into the marquee for a Hawkstone cider.
We could easily have called it a day at that point, but we were enjoying ourselves so much that we decided to head back out for another wander.
Naturally, a few more pumpkins found their way into the wheelbarrow!
We also had a go at finding some of the biggest pumpkins we could, just to see how heavy they were to lift. It was a fun way to spend a little more time exploring, and it reminded me that the best days out don’t always need a packed itinerary. Sometimes, it’s just about having somewhere lovely to wander around, enjoying each other’s company and seeing where the afternoon takes you.
By the time we finished, we’d collected a lovely selection of pumpkins for our autumn display.
Lunch at The Tatie Shed
After paying for our pumpkins, we headed over to The Tatie Shed, Horncastle Farm’s restaurant.
This was another highlight of our visit. We sat outside in a beautifully decorated barn and enjoyed a glass of wine and a burger.
The setting was lovely, and it was the perfect way to round off our afternoon. After spending time outdoors exploring the pumpkin patch, sitting down for something to eat and a drink made the day feel even more special.
It’s also one of the reasons I’d recommend Horncastle Farm to couples looking for an autumn date idea.
As a child-free couple in our mid-thirties, we sometimes find ourselves looking for seasonal activities that aren’t exclusively geared towards families with young children. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with family-friendly attractions, but it’s nice to find somewhere where you can enjoy a grown-up day out, too.
Horncastle Farm struck that balance beautifully for us. We could enjoy the fun of pumpkin picking, take photos and embrace the autumn atmosphere before finishing with a relaxed meal and a glass of wine.
It felt like a proper date day, and I loved that.
Is Horncastle Farm Worth Visiting for Pumpkin Picking?
If you’re looking for an autumn activity that’s a little different from the usual weekend plans, I’d definitely recommend considering Horncastle Farm.
What I particularly liked was that we could make the experience our own. We weren’t rushing around trying to fit everything in or following a set itinerary. We could take our time, enjoy the atmosphere and spend the afternoon doing as much or as little as we wanted.
I also think it’s a great option if you’re not particularly interested in the traditional Halloween side of pumpkin picking. We went in search of small, unusual pumpkins to decorate our home for autumn, and it was lovely to have the freedom to browse until we found exactly what we wanted.
For couples, the option to combine pumpkin picking with a drink and a meal makes it especially appealing. You can turn a seasonal activity into a proper date, rather than treating it as a quick stop on your way somewhere else.
Of course, the experience you have will depend on when you visit and what you’re hoping to get out of it. We went in early October and enjoyed a relatively relaxed visit, but I’d recommend checking the farm’s current event information before planning your trip.
Would I go back? Absolutely. It was a lovely introduction to pumpkin picking, and I’d happily make it part of our autumn plans again. I’d definitely go back! We’ve already talked about another date night at the Tatie Shed.
Tips for Visiting Horncastle Farm
If you’re planning a visit to Horncastle Farm during pumpkin season, here are a few things I’d recommend.
Visit earlier in October if you can. We visited on 10 October and found it wasn’t overly busy. We really enjoyed being able to explore the patch at our own pace.
Have an idea of what you’re looking for. We wanted small, unusual pumpkins for an autumn display rather than large pumpkins for carving. Knowing this helped us enjoy the search, although there were so many varieties that it was tempting to pick even more!
Take photos. There were some lovely photo opportunities around the patch, so it’s worth having your phone or camera ready.
Leave time for a drink. We enjoyed a hot chocolate before heading into the field and a Hawkstone cider afterwards. These little extras helped make the experience feel like a full afternoon out.
Make a meal of it. If you have time, consider visiting The Tatie Shed as part of your trip. We loved finishing our visit with burgers and wine in the beautifully decorated barn.
Dress for the weather. Pumpkin picking takes place outdoors in a field, so sensible footwear and layers are a good idea, particularly if the weather has been wet.
Check the latest event information before travelling. Pumpkin festival dates, ticket availability and activities can change each year, so check the farm’s official information before booking.
Final Thoughts: A Lovely Autumn Day Out in Yorkshire
Our first pumpkin-picking experience at Horncastle Farm was everything I’d hoped it would be, and more.
I loved the variety of pumpkins, the chance to pick our own, the photo opportunities and the relaxed atmosphere. But what really made the day special was being able to enjoy the whole experience together, from our first hot chocolate to our final glass of wine.
It’s easy to think of pumpkin picking as something primarily for families with children, but we had such a good time as a couple. Finding unusual pumpkins, wandering through the field and finishing with a meal made it feel like a lovely autumn date.
If you’re looking for a seasonal day out in West Yorkshire, I’d definitely recommend adding Horncastle Farm to your list.
I think Horncastle Farm will be our go-to pumpkin patch every year now!
Have you been pumpkin picking at Horncastle Farm, or is it something you’d like to try? Let me know in the comments!
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