Pumpkin Picking in Surrey: Where to Go and How to Carve Your Pumpkin
As the leaves turn golden and the evenings draw in, autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. One of our favourite seasonal traditions is pumpkin picking! Whether you’re planning a family day out or creating a spooky display for your front garden, pumpkins are a wonderful way to celebrate Halloween.
As a landscape gardening company, we love seeing gardens embrace the colours and textures of autumn. Here’s our guide to where to pick pumpkins in Surrey, creative carving ideas and the history behind why we use pumpkins for Halloween.
Where to pick your own pumpkins in Surrey
Pumpkin picking is a great way to enjoy the fresh autumn air while choosing the perfect pumpkin for your Halloween display. Here are some popular places to visit around Surrey:
Garsons Farm, Esher
A popular pick-your-own destination, Garsons hosts its seasonal Pumpkin Parade, offering a chance to find pumpkins in different shapes and sizes.
Location: Winterdown Road, Esher, KT10 8LS
Website: https://www.garsons.co.uk/
Crockford Bridge Farm, Addlestone
A lovely choice for a traditional pumpkin-picking experience, with seasonal pumpkins and plenty of autumn atmosphere.
Location: New Haw Road, Addlestone, KT15 2BU
Website: https://www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk/
Priory Farm, South Nutfield
Priory Farm’s seasonal pumpkin field is ideal for families looking to combine pumpkin picking with other autumn activities.
Location: Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, RH1 4EJ
Website: https://prioryfarm.co.uk/
Secretts, Milford
Known for its seasonal events and farm shop, Secretts is another option for a fun autumn outing.
Location: Hurst Farm, Chapel Lane, Milford, GU8 5HU
Website: https://www.secretts.co.uk/
Our top tips
Wear wellies, choose a firm pumpkin without soft patches and check booking requirements before travelling. Pumpkin-picking dates and availability vary each year, so check each farm’s website before visiting.
Pumpkin carving tips
- Use a washable marker to sketch your design first.
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp before carving.
- Adults should handle sharp tools, with children supervised throughout.
- Use battery-operated LED lights rather than naked flames.
- Carve your pumpkin a few days before Halloween to help it stay fresh.
Five creative pumpkin carving ideas
Once you’ve chosen your pumpkin, it’s time to get creative!
- The classic spooky face
Draw triangular eyes, a jagged mouth and a small nose. This traditional design is ideal for beginners and looks fantastic illuminated at night.
- A friendly pumpkin
Create rounded eyes and a big smile for a more welcoming look. It’s a lovely option for family-friendly garden displays.
- Stars and patterns
Try carving stars, moons, swirls or geometric shapes. For extra detail, scrape away just the outer skin in selected areas to let the light shine through.
- Spooky silhouettes
Carve the outline of a bat, black cat, owl or haunted house for a more decorative Halloween design.
- Natural autumn decorations
Prefer something less spooky? Leave your pumpkin uncarved and decorate it with autumn colours, leaf patterns or natural textures. Arrange several pumpkins beside planters and seasonal flowers for a stylish garden entrance.
Why do we carve pumpkins at Halloween?
The tradition of Halloween has links to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the transition from harvest into winter.
The familiar jack-o’-lantern comes from Irish folklore about Stingy Jack, who supposedly tricked the Devil and was left wandering with a glowing ember inside a hollowed-out vegetable. People traditionally carved faces into turnips and other root vegetables to create lanterns.
When Irish immigrants brought these customs to North America, they discovered that pumpkins were much easier to hollow out and carve. Over time, the pumpkin became the iconic Halloween decoration we know today.
Bring Autumn Into Your Garden
Pumpkins are a simple but effective way to add seasonal charm to your outdoor space. Combine them with ornamental grasses, autumn flowers, natural stone or timber planters to create a warm and welcoming display.
At Garden Care, we believe gardens should be enjoyed throughout the year. Autumn offers wonderful opportunities to refresh your outdoor space, embrace seasonal planting and prepare your garden for the months ahead.
Whether you’re visiting a pumpkin patch, creating a Halloween masterpiece or composting your decorations afterwards, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season sustainably.
Happy pumpkin picking and Happy Halloween!
