THE countdown is on for Halloween and many in Dorset will be preparing to decorate their houses for the scariest night of the year.

Pumpkins are also staples for the spooky season and a must-have for householders looking to welcome trick-or-treaters on their doorsteps.

Many supermarkets have them in stock, however many people like the experience of going out to a farm and picking their own.

Luckily, Dorset is no stranger to great places to pick your own pumpkins. 

Here is a list of pumpkin patches and pumpkin-related activities to seek your fangs into this month! 

Washingpool Farm

The much-loved farm can be found at: DT6 5HP

Newlands Farm:

Based at Mosterton Cross in Beaminster, visitors can not only enjoy pick their own pumpkins but they can also enjoy various Halloween activities such as a maize maze, a farm machinery display and find the golden pumpkin and see farm animals 

It will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday October 19 and Sunday October 20 and then from Friday, October 25 to Thursday, October 31. 

Entry is free, you just have to pay for the pumpkins you pick.

Postcode: DT8 3QU

Bincombe Bumps 

At West Farm, Bincombe in Weymouth, people can enjoy pumpkin picking, a haunted house, trick or treating and more.

It is free to enter and dogs on leads are welcome.

This will be from 10am to 4pm on October 12 and 13, 19 and 20 and 26 and 31. A special Halloween party will also be held on October 31. 

More details about the party will be posted on the farm's Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3BzxUat

Postcode: DT3 5PS

Dewflock Farm

At Winterborne Monkton in Dorchester, visitors can not only pick their own pumpkin but can also enjoy a maize maze, bouncy castle and meeting donkeys, goats, lambs and the new alpacas.

Entrance is ticketed with three two hour sessions a day at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm every Saturday and Sunday in October. 

Postcode: DT2 8NP

Gorcombe Pumpkins

At Gorcombe Farm near Blandford Forum, you can find large, small, funny shaped, traditional, giant, white and even blue pumpkins.

There will also be a Halloween party at the Happy Farmer Café on site on Saturday, October 26 with extra surprises in the pumpkin field. 

It is open from 9am to 4pm. 

Postcode: DT11 9AG

Pumpkin Fest at Gullivers Farm

An annual festival celebrating autumn will be held at Gullivers Farm at Station Road, West Moors near Ferndown.

It will be held on October 19 and 20 from 10am to 3pm. 

There will also be children’s craft activities, a nature trail, tractor rides, live music, a maze, farm animals and a pumpkin bowling alley!

There will also be the Pick Your Own Pumpkin patch, which will be open 7 days a week 9am - 4pm until sell out.

Postcode: BH22 0NF

Farmer Palmers Farm Park

Families can pick their own pumpkins at Farmer Palmers at Wareham Rd, Organford near Poole during October half term. 

The farm park is designed specifically for under 8’s and their families, with activities such as tractor rides, witches races and a maize maze. 

Tickets for pumpkin picking are in addition to the standard admission tickets at £15 with children under two going free.

The event will be from October 26 to 31 from 10am until 4pm.

Postcode:BH16 6EU