With just a few days left until Halloween, time is running out to pick the perfect pumpkin for carving.
Along with country music, Black Friday sales and SUV ownership, the concept of Halloween as a month-long event is seemingly another North American import that is here to stay.
The ritual often includes a trip to one of the many pumpkin patches across Britain, providing family fun or the perfect backdrop for social media content.
With this year’s Halloween falling at the same time as school half-term in many parts of the UK, interest is likely to be even higher. Internet searches for themed days out have increased by 3,100 percent over the last three months.
Google searches for maize mazes are said to have jumped by 831 percent in the last quarter, with Halloween trails recording an 860 percent rise in interest.
Avoid a monster mash with your pumpkins
However, the AA is warning drivers that they could put themselves in danger if they fail to secure their haul of picked pumpkins this Halloween.
Lee Morley, AA Patrol of the Year, explained: “The Highway Code states that drivers must secure their load, maintain proper control of their vehicle and have a full view of the road. Failing to do so can result in three penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.”
Instead of transporting pumpkins as an afterthought, the AA has recommended drivers think about how to avoid squashing their cargo, and carve out (ahem) a space in advance.
In particular, the AA recommends putting pumpkins in the boot, and to resist the temptation to place them in footwells, such is the risk of them rolling under the pedals.
Placing pumpkins into boxes or bags, rather than leaving them unsecured in the boot, is also advised. Given the weight of some biggest specimens, allowing pumpkins to roll around may affect your car’s handling.
Avoid blocking your view out of the car, adds the AA, and do not squeeze pumpkins into spaces around passengers.
The best pumpkin patches in the UK
Along with its recommendations for how to transport Halloween pumpkins without risking a spooky surprise, the AA has also compiled a list of the best places to pick them across the UK.
The company analysed a list of 370 pumpkin patches, then placed them into a ranking index. This looked at the average Google review score, the number of Instagram and TikTok hashtags, the adult entry price and whether the pumpkins were actually grown on-site.
Hatter’s Farm in Essex emerged as the overall winner, due to its low price of entry, strong ratings and the host of other attractions available. These include a maize maze and a pumpkin cannon.
Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire claimed second position, with North Yorkshire’s Stockeld Park completing the podium.
The AA’s Lee Morley added: “Whether looking for social-media-worthy scenery, highly rated attractions, the biggest variety of pumpkins or a budget-friendly day out, pick your patch and ensure you pack your pumpkin properly. It could save you from a truly gourd-awful journey home.”
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