Even with grey skies, this pumpkin patch was worth every minute of the trip
Everything you need to know before visiting Tulleys Pumpkin Festival
The smell of cinnamon and smoke fills the air as families push wheelbarrows across muddy paths. Even under grey skies, this farm glows bright orange, with one million pumpkins stretching across 100 acres of countryside.
From roasting marshmallows over fire pits to riding a Ferris wheel with views of green Surrey, Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is autumn at its best.
Tulleys calls itself the UK’s number one pumpkin festival, and after visiting, I believe it. There are pumpkins in every shape, size and shade imaginable – from tiny inky black to creamy white and even ones that look exactly like red-and-white mushrooms.
Getting there from London is easy if you plan ahead. I took the train from London Bridge to Brighton, stopped at Three Bridges, and caught the 84 or 272 bus straight to the farm, which takes about an hour and a half in total. Buses only come once an hour, so check the timetable before you go.
Once you arrive at the car park, your first photo opportunity appears immediately – a giant cart overflowing with pumpkins. Inside, the festival feels like a photographer’s dream. You can snap pictures with spooky characters, weirdly shaped pumpkins, and there’s even a photo stand just for dogs!
The first thing I spotted were the massive containers full of pumpkins in every colour and texture. Then, there’s the main field, where you can pick your own straight from the ground and feel like you’re part of the harvest.
Wheelbarrows are provided for those who get carried away, which is easy to do here. Each pumpkin is priced by size, ranging from £1 to £25 depending on its shape and weight.
With more than 100 varieties to choose from, there’s something for every purpose. Staff can even tell you which pumpkins are best for carving, decorating, or turning into a pie.
But Tulleys isn’t just about pumpkins. The food and drink options are almost as tempting as the picking itself.
My favourite was the marshmallow stand, where I bought a £5.50 s’mores kit with two giant marshmallows and four chocolate digestives. Roasting them over the open fire pits was the perfect way to warm up.
If you prefer something fruity, try the hot spiced apple juice for £4.50. I drank mine inside a cosy wooden cabin that doubles as a bar, safe from the weekend’s strong winds.
The apple crumble is another hit, served in a generous pot with your choice of fruit, crumble and one topping for £7.95. There’s also many savoury options, including pizza, burgers, pasta, and a hearty pumpkin soup that fits the theme perfectly.
There isn’t a huge amount of pumpkin-flavoured food, though the £5.50 pumpkin spiced latte with cream and cinnamon dusting is a nice touch. Still, the smells of sugar, spice, and roasting marshmallows make the entire place feel like autumn heaven.
Since there was no fog when I visited, I went on the Ferris wheel, which costs £8 for adults and £6 for children. It’s not cheap, but the view over the fields made it worth it.
There are also woodland paths dotted with glowing pumpkins and fake gravestones with clever puns. It’s spooky but still family-friendly, and gives a taste of what happens when night falls.
After dark, the farm transforms into Pumpkin Nights, an evening version of the festival with live music, food stalls and twinkling lights. It runs until 10 pm, with bands starting from 6:30 pm.
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival runs until Halloween night, with some days closed. Daytime hours are 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, with last entry at 4pm.
Tickets start from £8 for daytime sessions and £11.95 for night sessions, and carers go free. Dogs are welcome too.
Tulleys isn’t just a pumpkin patch – it’s an autumn experience for all ages. I left muddy, full and smiling, already knowing I’ll be back one day if I ever have kids to bring along.
You can find Tulleys Pumpkin Festival at Turners Hill Rd, Crawley RH10 4PD. It’s open on October 10-12, 16-19, and 22-31, from 9:30 am to 10 pm.
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