By Branwen Jones
Copyright walesonline
October is nearly here, which means it is time to start planning everything you are you going to get up to this spooky season. In the lead up to Halloween (Friday, October 31), many enjoy picking their own pumpkins. There are plenty of places near Cardiff and Swansea where you can do exactly that. But if you want to make a day of it and make the most of Wales’ pumpkin patches that go the extra mile to help their visitors get into the true Halloween spirit too, there’s plenty worth a bit of a longer outside Wales two biggest cities. So get your sturdiest shoes, practise your best witchy laugh and take your pick of the best pumpkin patches you’ll find a drive from Cardiff and Swansea you won’t regret travelling to. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Cardiff Halloween Festival is back this year. It will be taking place at Alexandra Head in Cardiff Bay, and running from October 25 to October 31. To get to the mystical Halloween Island, visitors can hop aboard the Ghost Ship at Mermaid Quay and glide across the bay straight to the island’s entrance. On the island, you can explore the walk-through maze to discover the wreck of Captain Dread’s lost ship, experiment in a potion workshop, feast on Halloween-themed street food and drinks, scream on fairground rides and pick your own pumpkin from Pumpkin Village. Every child can choose their own to take home. Tickets can be found, here . The pumpkin season is back for another year at Vale Pick Your Own near Bonvilston, and this year they will be open for both daytime and twilight sessions throughout October. Their twilight pumpkin picking will include a light trail with “spooktacular” photo opportunities leading to the festoon-lit pumpkin patch. There will also be live band entertainment and a fully licensed bar every evening alongside their custom-made fire pit where you can toast marshmallows. Kids can also enjoy face painting in their daytime and twilight sessions. And well-behaved dogs are also welcome on short leads. You can find out more information and book tickets, here . This popular pumpkin picking experience in Cowbridge is back. Families can explore the pumpkin patch and pick from thousands of homegrown pumpkins. They have planted over 25 types of pumpkin, so if you are looking for white ones, blue ones or even warty ones – Forage is the place to go. As well as pumpkin picking, the farm has tractor rides, maze of maze, plenty of photo opportunities with amazing backdrops, a rodeo-style pumpkin ride and a pumpkin catapult where you’ll get three goes at hitting the ghouls. If you are more excited to see some animals, there are alpacas and piglets that are sure to put a smile on your face. Daytime tickets cost £10 per car. You can book tickets, here . Autumn fun at Cefn Mably Farm Park begins from October 11 to October 31. As well as an autumn quiz, they will have a pumpkin patch offering pumpkins of a variety of sizes and prices. There’s also a soft play centre, petting zoo, a railway trip around the farm and a mini golf adventure at the farm. You can book tickets, here . Located between Cardiff and Newport , visitors can take part in pumpkin picking during daytime and evening session. There will also be an interactive scare event at the site called Harvest of Horror, which will invite visitors to embark a maze and try and survive the night. The event includes live actors “bringing the nightmare to life”, a “haunting” pumpkin village, three scare zones to survive and immersive atmosphere with sound, lighting and effects. In other words, the Harvest of Horror is not for the faint hearted. But if you do decide to take on the spooky challenge you’ll be able to enjoy Halloween-inspired drinks and hearty hot food at the farm’s full bar and café. You can book your tickets, here . There will be daytime and twilight pumpkin picking events at Colliers Adventure Farm, with even the opportunity to go pumpkin picking with your four-legged friend. On top of the photo opportunities, there will also be a spooky woodland walk, marshmallow tasting and a pumpkin carving tent so there are plenty of activities to enjoy. Pumpkin picking starts from October 11. You can grab your tickets, here . Just over an hour’s drive from Cardiff, you can pick your own fruit and veg at Aberbran Fawr Campsite in Bannau Brycheiniog over the summer, but come October, it becomes Matthews Pumpkin Patch. For updates on when it will be opening and more information, check out their Facebook page, here . About a 50-minute drive from Cardiff, Twilight Pumpkins at Maindiff Court Farm is set in glorious rolling hillside and has stunning views on a sunny day. There are three pumpkin patches with scarecrows and two maize trails for children to explore. The farm will be open from 10am-4pm on weekends and Halloween week, starting from Saturday, October 11, until Friday, October 31. Booking is not essential, but you can book your place, here . Entry costs £3 per car or party of five on foot/bus. Located in Llangybi is Billy Bob’s Pumpkin Patch, where there are plenty of photo ops to capture family moments while you are picking your perfect pumpkin. Well-behaved pooches are also welcomed, especially if they are dressed up for the occasion. You can find out more and grab your tickets, here . Gower Christmas Tree Farm will once again be opening their farm for pumpkin picking this October. They have been running a PYO pumpkin event since 2018. From October 25 to 31, they will be hosting their Monsters Ball – Glow and Foam Party, with tickets including entry to the pumpkin patch, a magical meet-and-greet with a real reindeer, and a chance to join Beetlejuice the Zombie and Dracula for a spooktacular glow and foam extravaganza You can find out more about this event here . The Black Cat Pumpkin Patch is set in the heart of Carmarthenshire and run by a young couple. As well as pumpkin picking, there will be a corn maze and animal meet-and-greets. They even host quiet pumpkin-picking sessions for children with sensory sensitivities. You can also book an alpaca walking experience with a spooky twist, including Halloween photo ops. Get your tickets, here . While the family who run Dolau Farm spend the majority of the year farming sheep and cattle, they also open up their pumpkin patches to the public this time of year. The daytime picking sessions will take place from October 11 until October 31. Visitors can park on site, meet their farm animals, have plenty of photo opportunities and enjoy some delicious home-baked treats there. They also have thousands upon thousands of pumpkins “all waiting to be picked, carved and eaten. You can find out more here .
