Pumpkin picking is rising in popularity each year, so we’ve compiled the ultimate list of pumpkin hotspots to help you get your spooky season fix.

Whether you are hoping for the perfect autumnal Instagram photos, or you want to treat the kids to a spooky-themed family day out, we have got you covered.

These pumpkin patches on Swindon’s doorstep offer the classic ‘pick your own pumpkin’, as well as other spooktacular activities for all the family.

Lotmead Farm

Located just four miles from Swindon Town Centre, Lotmead Farm is the closest pumpkin patch for Swindon locals who don’t want to travel far.

The farm already boasts 14 different pick your own fruits and vegetables, but the addition of their home-grown pumpkins have proved to be very popular.

But it’s best not to wait, as Lotmead Farm pumpkin picking will open on Saturday, October 7, and run 9.30am to 5pm every day until the pumpkins are all gone.

You don’t need to pre-book, and the patch is free to enter, so customers will only pay for what they pick.

Farmer Mark’s pumpkin patch

Farmer Mark has been getting ready to open up his Marlborough field for the third year running.

Located just off the A4, the patch will be open to the public on the weekends of October 7 and October 14, and then every day from October 19 to 29.

You can come and pick your own pumpkin from just £2 with no booking necessary, as well as trying out their bale maze or hopping on a tractor for a ride.

If you want the authentic country bumpkin experience this autumn, this is the place to go.

Roves Farm

For those who want a pumpkin-themed day out without the effort of actually picking the pumpkins, Roves Farm might be the place to go.

Located just 7.5 miles from the town centre, the farm are offering ‘pumpkin carving’ in their barn, as well as spooky arts and crafts, an autumnal activity trail and tractor rides.

The barn will be open from Thursday, October 19, to Sunday, October 29, with pumpkins ready for you to carve your designs into.

Prices for these different activities vary and pre-booking is essential, so make sure you check out their website before you go.

Cobbs Farm

Anyone passing through Hungerford might want to try out Cobbs Farm instead, based 17 miles from Swindon.

Open from Wednesday, October 18 until Sunday, October 29, this farm is inviting locals to grab a wheelbarrow from the farm shop and pick from their acres of pumpkin fields.

Booking for the pumpkins isn’t required, but they recommend that you book a table if you’re hoping to also pop in to the café on site, as this can get quite busy.

They are open 10am-4pm on Monday to Saturday, and 10am – 5pm on Sunday.

Millets Farm

Millets Farm is the furthest from Swindon on our list, but definitely worth the 30 minute drive out.

Home of the well-known ‘Millet’s Maize Maze’ in Abingdon, the farm boasts one of the region's biggest pumpkin patches with over 80,000 pumpkins.

Pumpkin picking is available now every weekend, and will then run daily from October 14 until October 31. Entry costs between £1.50 to £2.50 per person (you’ll need to book in advance), and pumpkins are priced from £1.

Real Halloween enthusiasts can also attend their ‘pumpkins at night’ event at £9.95 per person, which will feature pumpkin picking like no other.

You can follow along a spooky woodland trail with live actors, and then top off the night with face paint, food trucks and local ale.