Last year I heard about a pick your own pumpkin site just outside Stirling, but we didn’t know anything about it until after Halloween and the farm was shut. So this year I made sure that we knew exactly when it was open so we could pick our ow pumpkins for the first time.
The PYO pumpkin patch we visited was at the village of Arnprior, located on the A811 out of Stirling toward Buchlyvie and Balfron. Arnprior pumpkins is easy to find as the village is pretty much linear along the main road and there are plenty of signs pointing out where the parking is.
From where you park the car it’s a short walk across the road and past a giant haystack pumpkin to get to the field.
Please note that it is a farm and it’s VERY muddy, so wear wellies and kids should probably wear waterproofs in case they fall over or sit down in the mud. Wipes are a good idea too!
We were pleasantly surprised at just how much they had on offer on the day. Aside the pumpkins themselves you could pick your own turnip or dig potatoes, a chainsaw carver was carving wooden pumpkins and other items and you could get some tasty food and drinks too.
At the face painting littlest chose to have pumpkins painted on his face and there was also balloon modelling available, which we didn’t have enough money for, plus I knew with our luck the balloons would burst on the way home!
There were pumpkins littered everywhere, along the paths, stacked up on giant wooden reels and around all the haystacks and picture props. Plenty of opportunity to take great photographs if the kids are willing (ours weren’t particularly!).
There were pumpkins of all shapes and sizes ranging from small £5 ones through warty or white pumpkins all the way to £12 for the largest pumpkins. The boys spent some time choosing which pumpkin they wanted and biggest chose a medium size orange pumpkin and littlest chose a small orange pumpkin. I decided I wanted a warty one too!
Another area had some balls and a wooden board painted with giant pumpkins with open mouths, pefect for the kids to throw balls into. They will get very muddy hands here though, so this is where the wipes come in handy!
Littlest and I also chose to walk through the kale maze and got thoroughly lost wandering around and realised that we had no idea where the way out was. Fortunately his choices of directions got us out in the (if you are going the exit is at the top end of the field toward the straw bales.
You take your chosen pumpkins back to the shop where you can pay for them (credit/debit cards can be used) and buy some handicrafts and sweets.
We stayed for a couple of hours as we were a bit late arriving, but had a great time and the boys loved everything. Although I think biggests favourite part was climbing the bales!
Check out Arnprior Pumpkins Facebook page to find out opening dates and times.
J x
Plutonium Sox says
Fantastic photos of you all and this looks like a brilliant place! I was looking around to see if I could find anything like that around here but I couldn’t, might have to hit google again before Halloween!
Nat.x
Elizabeth says
What a fantastic day out despite the rain! I’ve never been to a pumpkin farm before – it looks like loads of fun! #WhatevertheWeather
David Mellor says
This looks great fun. Our local PYO pumpkin farm opens this weekend so we’re planning a mad dash as it was really bust last year. I love your muddy photos – beautiful as always.
David – Potty Adventures
#whatevertheweather
Elizabeth (Wander Mum) says
What a great activity to do – looks like so much fun despite the muddy conditions and rain. I shall have to do this one year. Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather
Sharon Parry says
Soo many pumpkins and lots of mud too! Fantastic. That face pain is great! #Whatevertheweatherkids
Sarah says
Theses places are great! I’m so glad it’s now a “thing” in the UK. We loved going last year and we’ll probably go during the half term. Great that they have other veg too. Sarah #WhateverTheWeather
Katy - Hot Pink Wellingtons says
I honestly can’t get enough of pumpkins! We absolutely loved picking our own, although I’m glad our experience wasn’t as muddy as yours, I would not have been prepared! I love the face paint too, so pretty! #WhatevertheWeather
Louise Fairweather says
My boys are getting so excited about Halloween. They would love this #Whatevertheweather
Lauren (The Helpful Hiker) says
Looks like great fun, love the photos! Will have to see if there is anything like her round here.
Clare's Little Tots says
We’re going to one this weekend (hopefully) we had so much fun last year doing it. I love how your youngest coat is coordinated with the outing!!
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope) says
Awww 2 cute pumpkins with real pumpkin! Lovely photos and looks like so much fun! #whatevertheweather
Helena says
Loving the pumpkin picking and face painting. The painter is very talented. #Whatevertheweather
Me, You and Magoo says
The face painting is absolutely amazing…it’s good they offer more activities than just pumpkin picking, it means you can stay for longer. I really need to track down a local one, they seem to be getting really popular #whatevertheweather