Sandwich Technician
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 The best places to go pumpkin picking near Manchester this autumn
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Pumpkin season is almost upon us – brace to have cinnamon and pumpkin spices shoved down your throat, and brace for whiplash from the heatwave to handwarmers.
I know, I know, I hear you. How can we possibly think about Halloween already?
Well with over 10,000 of you having already signed up to visit the Kenyon Hall Farm pumpkin patch, we’d hate for you to get left out.
According to folklore, pumpkins were originally carved to ward off Stingy Jack and other spirits, but these days they’re pretty effective in scaring away the nosey neighbours too.
To celebrate this year, instead of going to your local supermarket for a pumpkin, how about doing things the old fashioned way and harvesting the pumpkins yourself?
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It’s a wholesome activity for all the family to do, so wrap up warm and let the kids run around while you fill your wheelbarrow with the biggest pumpkins you can carry.
So, without further ado, here’s some of the best pumpkin patches near Manchester for you to choose from.
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Brookheys Farm, Altrincham
Head on into the heart of Dunham Massey for your perfect pumpkin picking experience, ideal for animal-mad families, friends and couples.
They’ve not released 2026 tickets yet, but in 2025 families could hop on board a tractor and trailer shuttle service Eddie’s ‘Bumble Bee’ park and ride, safely transporting you from the carpark to the farm, as well as a Maize Maze to explore and lots of farm yard animals to spot.
Brookheys Farm is easily accessible by car and public transport from Altrincham, making it a great option.
You can find out more and book tickets HERE.
Malpas Pick Your Own Pumpkins, Cheshire
If previous years are anything to go by, at Malpas you might be able to combine a maze adventure with your pumpkin picking.
If you’re up for the challenge, then somewhere at the heart of the maize maze lies a kingdom of pumpkins ready for you to rescue, while a 100 scarecrows are also hiding somewhere in the maize, along with a Harry Potter area.
Themed fancy dress is, obviously, encouraged. Dates have now been confirmed but there’s more info to come.
Open 10-4pm, Friday 2 October – midday on Saturday 31 October
Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington
Kenyon Hall Farm has a 20,000 strong pumpkin patch, with 50 different varieties to choose from. You’re bound to find the perfect shape, colour and size for you and your carving design needs.
Though if doing the dirty work isn’t your style, pre-picked pumpkins are available and you can explore the farm shop or tuck into some of the delicious seasonal treats whilst watching your loved ones from the safety of the café.
They have also promised brand-new displays to facilitate the perfect autumnal family photos, as well as new interactive elements to enjoy. Not to mention, there is a free playground for the kids to run about and exert all of that energy, before you head off home.
The pumpkin patch is set to be open every day from Saturday 26 September but don’t hang about – lots of weekend dates have already sold out.
Book a £3.95 ticket online for entry – pumpkins can vary in price.
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Lancaster Park & Animal Farm, Chadderton
Another great place to spend a day is Lancaster Park & Animal Farm in Chadderton – they truly have it all.
Fully immerse yourselves in the Halloween spirit (pardon the pun) with pumpkin picking and carving, a Wizard School show, Halloween disco, fancy dress competitions (grown ups that includes you too), and giant halloween displays for photo opportunities.
Alternative activities at the farm include mini-quads, play areas, zip lines, a whole farm of animals to pet and much more.
Book online where tickets range from £7.34 – £16.77, including the pumpkins you take away, access to the farm and Halloween event.
Cockfield’s Farm, Ashton-under-Lyne
Greater Manchester’s award-winning pumpkin patch, at Cockfield’s Farm, is returning this year bigger and better than ever.
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In addition to the regular patch equipped with pumpkin patch props, a mini-pumpkin patch for the little ones and an evening adventure available to pick your pumpkins after dark if you’re brave enough. There is also set to be a brand-new spooky walk-through, Halloween show and autumnal displays.
Your pumpkin patch ticket also includes access to adventure play areas, the Giant Bouncy Pillow, animal petting at Cuddle Corner, tractor rides, the Big Animal Barn AND the brand-new Reptile Room.
The pumpkin patch will be open every weekend and throughout the October half-term with tickets ranging from £5.95 to £16.95 per person.
Reddish Vale Farm, Stockport
Pumpkin picking is back at Reddish Vale Farm with plenty of fun to join in, but you’ll want to book quickly as it’s a popular spot.
Explore the Halloween Village, and play areas equipped with zip wires and giant bouncy pillows, meet the farmyard animals, climb aboard the Spooky Express ride or simply grab a wheelbarrow and carve your handpicked pumpkins in the Carving Cavern.
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There is also set to be a wide range of Halloween themed games and activities including making your own magical wand, enjoying the witch and wizard shows to enjoy.
Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £15 for children, with one pumpkin included per paying person, extra pumpkins are £5 each.
Libby’s Pumpkin Patch, Macclesfield
Libby’s Pumpkin Patch is set to return and she sure knows how to host a pumpkin party, with wood-fired pizzas, homemade sweet treats, campfire marshmallows and drinks.
It’s cheap and definitely cheerful – Libby has vowed to keep prices low for the third year in a row to help with the cost of living crisis meaning tickets will be costing only £10 per car starting from Saturday 3 October.
Roby Mill Pumpkin Patch, Skelmersdale
Affordable fun is just what we want and Roby Mill nearly always delivers – head on down to Roby Mill to satisfy all of your Halloween desires including photo opportunities with traditional tractors, an indoor marquee with all things witchy and locally made items.
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Open every day, prices for pumpkin and gourd typically start from £2, so you can either dig up a cute mini one yourself, or roll your giant one home – the choice is yours.
There will also be a professional photographer on the 3, 9 and 11 October for a 20-minute photoshoot at an added cost.
While booking is required during the busy dates, the event is completely free entry and parking.
Woore Fruit Farm, Crewe
Ready, set… harvest.
Woore Fruit Farm is ripe and ready for picking, and it’s open 9am to 5pm daily, so you can go down and grab a pumpkin before Halloween is here.
Read more
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Featured image – The Manc Group
High School Musical at Lowry, Salford – a night spent reliving our childhood | Review
Amy Williams
What a night spent reliving our childhood.
Now, I don’t want to exaggerate or seem biased, considering this is one of my favourite film trilogies of all time, but this could be the best stage show I’ve seen in a long while.
We all know how High School Musical goes, right? Set at East High, we follow Troy and Gabriella (the star basketball player, and the geeky new girl) who meet over New Year, and then become ‘star-crossed lovers’ when back at school as they’re part of two different ‘cliques’.
The duo mess with the ‘Status Quo’ when they audition for the school musical. But will they stick to what they know? Or become stars of the stage? I’m sure you know the ending.
From the costumes and the characters, to the memorable songs (there’s actually 52 songs in this production, including a mega mix at the end), they’ve kept right to the script of the films – and that’s exactly what we wanted to see.
Of course, the biggest throwback of them all is Kaycee Stroh – who originally featured as Martha Cox in the film trilogy – taking the role as Ms Darbus, and she was just as incredible as we expected her to be. And to see her do the iconic dance in the finale was unbelievable, 13-year-old Amy was screaming.
Also featuring Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton, Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping Sharpay, and Luke Bayer as Ryan, it was a proper impressive cast all round.
There was crowd interaction right from the off, as they taught the crowd a cheerleading routine to be included later in the show, plus for the finale, they had the lyrics on the big screen too so everyone could sing-along.
If we could go and see this show every single night, we would – it is absolutely brilliant.
Read more:
- Huge sale on Manchester theatre tickets launches, with shows from £11.70
- Cult-classic musical Hairspray to kick off UK tour in Manchester next year
- Beloved sitcom Dinnerladies to return after 25 years with new stage show in Manchester
Celebrating 20 years of the trilogy, this brand-new production is at the Lowry until 19 September, make sure you grab tickets before it’s too late.
Get them here.
Featured Image – Matt Crockett (Supplied)
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