A British woman compared pumpkin patches in the USA and the UK: what turned out to be better.

Pumpkin patches in the UK: a comparison with the USA

According to The Sun: Returning home to England after 18 years in the USA, I thought things like 'pumpkin patches,' cheerleading, and country music were behind me. However, along with many other American traditions, the UK has embraced the trend of pumpkin picking, and I was curious to see if they could compete with the tradition in the USA.

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In the USA, pumpkins have become an important part of the culture, especially in the context of pumpkin pies, while in the UK, the trend of pumpkin picking has rapidly grown in recent years, thanks to social media.

On an October morning, I gathered with relatives at a farm that was previously part of an apple orchard, but expanded into pumpkin picking last year. Paying the farmer £3 for parking, we got ready and headed to the entrance, where I noticed quite a few differences.

In the USA, families visit the same 'pumpkin patch' for decades, booking tickets in advance and even planning festive outfits. However, at this farm near Canterbury, we simply walked in without queues and for free.

The food prices at the kiosk there surprised me with their reasonableness. I explained to the kids that, unfortunately, there is no hot corn on the cob.

There were also no funnel cakes or spicy pepper in a bread bowl. We opted for a bag of chips with vinegar and a pack of Ribena — cheap, but not that interesting.

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While enjoying hot chocolate, we reached the area where large pumpkins cost £2, and small ones — 50 pence. The prices were not steep, but the selection was not as interesting as I was used to.

“Where can we ride on a hayride and where is the corn maze?” — my kids asked, full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, these attractions are not typical in British 'pumpkin patches.'

I suggested they just take a cart and start picking pumpkins. While I am satisfied with this visit, I admit that Americans simply do pumpkin patches better.

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I have visited 'pumpkin patches' in Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana, and they were true places of emotion. The first time, walking among fields filled with orange and white pumpkins, I felt like I was on a movie set.

We wore cowboy hats, enjoyed the atmosphere, took pictures against the backdrop of red barns with the American flag, drank hot cider, and sang along to Dolly Parton's music. In a British village with Celtic dancing, I would feel awkward entertaining myself that way.

I am confident that the pumpkin patch business in the UK will continue to grow. While it may not be perfect yet, there are positive aspects — for example, prices are more affordable here, and family outings in the fresh air remain a beloved activity, even in the rain.

But if only something could feel less commercial and more like a full experience with attractions and festive spirit — I would start believing that they might surpass their American competitors.

However, if only someone could introduce the concept of funnel cakes to the UK...

Visiting pumpkin patches in the UK is becoming popular, combining a festive atmosphere with active outdoor recreation. Although British traditions have not yet reached the scale of the American ones, positive development indicates that these farms can play a significant role in celebrating autumn in the UK. One can only hope that over time, these events will gain popularity, and the format of visits will become even more festive, offering families new exciting experiences.