With everything from pumpkin carving and pumpkin picking, to pumpkin spiced lattes, and more, that time of year has officially arrived and we’re ready for it.
Folk tradition says pumpkins ward off Stingy Jack and other spirits, and they also look good by the window and scare away the nosey neighbours too, but instead of going to your local supermarket for a pumpkin this year, how about doing things the old way and harvesting the pumpkins yourself.
It’s a wholesome activity to do this half term, so wrap up warm and let the kids run around while you fill your wheelbarrow with fresh orange pumpkins.
Here’s just some of the best pumpkin patches near Manchester to head on down to.
Grab a wheelbarrow and browse the Hewitt family’s vast field of pumpkins.
The family have been growing pumpkins for 30 years, but decided to open their patch to the public last year, and for just £5, you get entrance and parking on the site – which then gets taken off the price of any pumpkins you catch.
The fun doesn’t stop there either, as stunning scenic walks around Dunham Massey Hall and Gardens can be polished off with wood fired pizza and Dunham Massey’s homemade cider made from their own apples.
So 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.
There’s no booking needed for this one, but themed fancy dress is encouraged.
Open on weekends, Kenyon Hall Farm has a 15,000 strong pumpkin patch.
If doing the dirty work isn’t your style, pre-picked pumpkins are available and you can explore the farm shop or watch your loved ones from the safety of the café.
Book a £2 ticket online for entry, and pumpkins can vary in price.
A great place to spend a day this half term, Lancaster Park & Animal Farm in Chadderton doesn’t just stop at pumpkin carving, as there’s also costume competitions, tales in a Spooky Haunted House, and a whole farm of animals.
Alternative activities that come with the farm include mini-quads and zip lines.
Book online where tickets range from £4-£8, including the pumpkins you take away and access to the activities.
Head on down to Cockfields Farm to pick your perfect pumpkin, create your monster in the Spooky Carving Cave, and tire out the kids with fancy dress and dance competitions, fairground rides, and hand-feeding the farm animals.
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Tickets range from £4.95 to £12.95 per person, depending on ages and how many pumpkins you take home.
It’s cheap and definitely cheerful, and after welcoming thousands of families for the first time last year, Libby’s Pumpkin Patch is back and knows how to host a pumpkin party.
Tickets cost £2.50 per car, and pumpkins range from £1 for ‘minis’ up to £20 for ‘monsters’.
Affordable fun is just what we want and Roby Mill is completely free entry and parking.
Open every day from now until Halloween, pumpkins are everywhere, with prices starting from £2, so you can either dig up a cute mini one yourself, or roll your giant one home – the choice is yours.
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Tickets are advised during weekends and half term, but on quieter times, you can just turn up with shovels.
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.
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Featured Image – PublicDomainPictures
Things To Do
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is getting a new multi-million pound ride
Thomas Melia
One of the North West’s favourite theme parks, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, is receiving a brand new, multi-million pound ride next year.
The newest addition to the massive coastal amusement park will be a giant gyro swing, and work on making it come to life in the park has already started.
Although the concept of a swinging pendulum may exist at other theme parks in the UK, Blackpool Pleasure Beach reassures thrill-seekers that this will be bigger than any other – especially in terms of height. You could say this is the new rival to ‘The Big One’.
It’s certainly big in terms of cost, as estimates have construction valued at around £8.72m.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to some phenomenal rides and they’re gaining another.Thrill seekers will be able to the Pleasure Beach’s latest ride next year. Credit: Pleasure Beach Resort
The attraction is set to hold 40 riders who, if brave enough, will face outward with their legs dangling over the edge to replicate the feeling of flying.
This new ride has been on the horizon ever since Blackpool Pleasure Beach sent a digital van to their rivals over at Thorpe Park (currently closed for maintenance), which read: “We’ll just have to come up with something else then, won’t we?”
The next closest competitor at Drayton Manor is ‘Maelstrom’, which reaches nearly 74 feet, while this gyro swing will more or less double this number, racking up to 138 feet at its highest point at a 120-degree angle. Gulp.
Suspense has been building for this new addition as eager adrenaline junkies noticed the demolition of the former Bowl-A-Drome building, with no words from the park itself – until now.
CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We’re thrilled to confirm the addition of a Gyro Swing at Pleasure Beach Resort, with work already underway.” It doesn’t have an official name yet, but it’s been dubbed ‘Project MMXXVI’.
We're delighted to unveil Project MMXXVI, a colossal 138ft Gyro Swing coming to Pleasure Beach next year. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/xAtEKpcgv5
— Pleasure Beach Resort🎢 (@Pleasure_Beach) March 20, 2025
Thompson also stated, “We’re well known for doing things on a large scale, so becoming home to the largest Gyro Swing in the UK made complete sense.”
This isn’t the only attraction receiving all the love at Blackpool Pleasure Beach as ‘Wallace & Gromit‘s Thrill-O-Matic’ is adding some new scenes, thanks to its recent win at the BAFTAs.
Much-loved ride ‘River Caves’ is also going to be re-imagined, while the ‘Launch Pad’ – which recently finished an upgrade earlier this year – will be open in Spring.
The Gyro Swing will be opening sometime in 2026, and while the date for its grand debut might not be released, the park has spoken on its location, announcing it will be placed up in the north of the park.
How exciting!
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is constantly adding innovative rides.This new Gyro Swing will be joining the infamous ‘The Big One’.Credit: Supplied
The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess to host ‘Merch Market’ in aid of bands
Thomas Melia
Tim Burgess, frontman of legendary band The Charlatans, is set to launch a one-off ‘Merch Market’ event, and its core purpose is to support bands.
He might have a ‘Jesus Hairdo’ but he’s currently serving as a good Samaritan as The Charlatans‘ Tim Burgess is putting on an event solely focusing on funding bands via gig merch and other apparel.
Running across a variety of live music locations within Manchester city centre, the day-long event is called ‘Merch Market’, and it’s encouraging music lovers and bands alike to tag along.
Although ticket sales, album sales and streams are critical in funding the careers of all the artists we know and love, one key drive in securing actual revenue in the music industry is merchandise.
Expect to pick up some rare finds and own some limited edition collections.Band merch will be front and centre at this event which is hosted by The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess.Credit: The Hoot/Audio North
‘Merch Market’ is taking place at O2 Ritz as well as adjacent venues Gorilla and Dog Bowl across the road with a special appearance from ‘Tim Peak’s Diner’, the caffeinated brainchild of Tim Burgess.
The whole point of this event is to make sure that bands can receive the full 100% of merch sales without any cuts from any third party.
Fronted by The Charlatans lead singer Tim Burgess, ‘Merch Market’ is building off his 2021 gathering, which had a similar initiative with ‘Vinyl Adventure’ encouraging the sale of physical music and media.
Alongside stocking up your wardrobe with all the latest band t-shirts, hoodies and everything in between, there will be an array of interesting performances and talks happening throughout the day.
Entry to this incredible celebration of bands is completely free of charge and, better still, there are chances to win some seriously cool prizes – including some tasty festival tickets.
Gorilla is one of the live music venues that ‘Merch Market’ is taking place at.The Manc and Antony Szmierek outside O2 RItz, another venue which will be taking part in ‘Merch Market’.Credit: The Manc Group
Expect stalls, live DJ sets, interviews, panels and even a chance to bag yourself VIP tickets for UK festival, Kendal Calling, which Burgess will be returning for 2025.
Burgess is a man of many talents as he will not only be hosting this fantastic initiative, but he will also be hosting a stall of his own and singing a couple of his biggest hits.
Bands don’t have to worry about forking out a fortune for renting a stall either as tables at ‘Merch Market’ are free, the only thing musicians have to bring is their merch and charming personalities.
So whether you’re an artist with leftover stock from your last tour or a music lover who just missed out on snagging a snap back, head down to these three venues on 25 May.
Dolly Busby -
19th October 2021 
