Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.
Pictures by Kirsty Edmonds.

IN PICTURES: Popular Northampton pumpkin farm will back open for business next month

The Harris family's pumpkin patch is opening from October 3 with five times more pumpkins than last year

One of the most popular pick-your-own pumpkin farms is making a return next weekend with 15,000 pumpkins to choose from across five acres of farmland.

Overstone Grange Farm has been a popular seasonal attraction for more than a year with blooming Spring tulips, bright summer sunflower fields and autumnal pumpkins picking sessions.

This year, Lucy and Tom Harris are throwing open their gates to the public again from Saturday, October 3 but this time with an estimated 15,000 pumpkins of various sizes and nine different varieties.

Lucy said: "We have grown about five acres of pumpkins this year, which is roughly five times the amount of last year. We have nine different varieties of pumpkins and squash and some are specifically for carving, some are great to eat and there are some little ones that are just cute.

"We loved welcoming people to the farm last year and so this year we have tried to make it a little bit more of a trip out for people. We have built a bale tower and a bale maze for our younger visitors to enjoy, there is also a mini obstacle course.

"We have tractor tyre sandpits and a new head in the hole board. There will be some pumpkin scarecrows in the field as well as hidden painted rocks. We will also have some colouring in sheets for people to take home or print off from our facebook page to keep the fun going."

There will be wheelbarrows on site for people to use when moving their pumpkins around the field but it is advised pumpkin pickers each bring a bag to carry them back to the car in and wear their wellies or boots as the field is very muddy.

There will also be three sessions for SEN children and their families on October 4th, 11th and 18th where they can enjoy time in a quieter environment.

Lucy added: "There will be a charity ‘guess the weight’ competition that people can enter for £1 for the chance to win the biggest white pumpkin from the field.

"People do not need to book but we will be monitoring numbers into the field and we will ask people to wait if we get too busy.

"We ask our customers to please remember the two metre rule at all times and to use the hand sanitizer on entering the field and the pay tent. We would recommend wearing a mask in the field but it will be compulsory for the pay tent. There are no toilets and unfortunately we can't welcome dogs to the field.

"We have lots of pumpkins so people don’t need to rush down on the first weekend."

The farm is opening to customers every weekend throughout October and during the last week of October, in the lead up to Halloween, it's open seven days a week from October 26th to 31st, with free parking and entry.

Entry to the Moulton-based farm, off Kettering Road, is free and the price of pumpkins will vary depending on the size customers pick - cash and card are both accepted.

For more information, visit Overstone Grange's Facebook page here.