Newlands farm pumpkin picking

Autumn at Newlands Farm means one thing: pumpkins everywhere. The farm near Crewkerne opens its fields for pick-your-own sessions, and it's the sort of outing that works brilliantly if you've got kids who actually enjoy getting their hands dirty rather than staring at screens. You wander through the patch, find a pumpkin that doesn't look like it's been gnawed by something, twist it free, and head to the barn to pay. Dead simple.

The whole experience takes maybe an hour, depending on how fussy you are about your pumpkin and whether the children keep stopping to examine every slug. Families absolutely lap this up - there's something about choosing your own that makes kids far more invested in the outcome than if you'd just bought one from the supermarket. Walkers will find it a bit limited as a standalone attraction, but it works as a half-day activity when you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like Dorset Forest Garden or Swallowfield.

Go in October when the season's in full swing and the weather's usually still decent for mucking about outdoors. Muddy boots are basically mandatory. It's not free - expect to pay per pumpkin - and you'll need to bring a bag or box because you're carrying your haul back to the car yourself. Not a destination in its own right, but exactly the sort of proper farm experience that makes a countryside holiday memorable rather than just pleasant.