Maxey’s Farm Shop in Kirklington and Nottinghamshire 'Pick Your Own’ Pumpkins in Oxton host pumpkin picking events not far from Newark or Southwell

As the spooky season approaches, picking the perfect pumpkin is an experience suitable for all ages, and not that far from home.

Considered one of the most popular pumpkin patches in the UK, Maxey’s Farm Shop in Kirklington is open every day until Halloween (October 31).

All pumpkins on the farm are home-grown from seed, with sizes ranging from miniature to XXL and colours from orange, green, blue and white.

The P..P..Pick up a Pumpkin event began in 2012 in a small field next to the shop where employee James would wait for each customer to choose their pumpkin before going and cutting it.

Besides pumpkins, the farm also has a wide selection of squashes, ideal for cooking or creating a quirky Halloween display.

The squashes include onion squash, crown prince, spaghetti squash and Turks turban.

The farm owners advise taking wellies or boots to the field as it might be uneven and muddy.

Mini squash prices start from 50p and pumpkins from £2.

Admission to the event is £2 per person, but under 16’s enter for free.

In Oxton is the Nottinghamshire 'Pick Your Own’ Pumpkins, which has more than 40,000 pumpkins, squashes and gourds to choose from.

The free entry event is running on Saturday and Sunday (October 12 and 13) from 9.30am to 5pm and every day from Saturday (October 19) to Thursday (October 31) from 9.30am to 5pm.

The family-run business started 14 years ago with only 300 pumpkins and now grows thousands of pumpkins, squashes and gourds.

There is a wide range of colours and varieties including white, blue, green and pink with prices varying from £3 to £9.

It offers a family-friendly atmosphere, with a chance to also pick your own sweetcorn and potatoes.

Hot and cold food, seasonal drinks and sweet treats from Bank Inn and Little Schnauzer Coffee Company will be available.

No dogs or other animals are allowed.

A new pumpkin patch has also opened on the first weekend of October at the Garden Centre in Fiskerton Road, Southwell.

The free entry event is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire tops the ranking again this year as the UK’s BEST pumpkin patch according to Outdoor Toys.

With no entry fee for adults or children, Doddington Hall is one of the most popular patches on social media with over 21,000 Instagram posts and 334 on TikTok.

The patch offers thirty varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds to choose from as well as a Farm shop and café.