Happy Howloween! Best dog-friendly pumpkin patches in the South West, revealed

Now that autumn is officially underway, what better way to prepare for Halloween than taking your family to a pumpkin patch? But for four-legged members of the family, not all patches are so accommodating.

To help every member of the family get into the spooky season, leading pet food brand Fish4Dogs, has crunched the numbers to find the best dog-friendly pumpkin patches the South West has to offer. The pumpkin patches were ranked based on whether they allowed dogs, ticket cost, number of nearby dog-friendly facilities and average visitor rating.

Here are the best dog-friendly pumpkin patches in the South West to visit this autumn…

Trevaskis Farm, Cornwall

The best pumpkin patch to take your dog to isTrevaskis Farm, with a score of 7.1 out of 10.

As one of the most popular farms to visit in Cornwall, it’s not surprising the farm ranks well

for its average Google Review score (4.3) and its high number of nearby dog-friendly facilities, including 43 dog-friendly hotels and restaurants.

The farm is yet to announce when its highly anticipated pumpkin patch will open to the public, but if last year’s ‘Trevaskis Cemetery’ display is anything to go by, this year is sure to be a hit.

Gulliver’s Farm Pumpkin Patch, West Moors

Just missing out on the top spot with a score of 7 out of 10 is Gulliver’s Farm Pumpkin Patch located in West Moors, Dorset.

This pumpkin patch is rated 4.6 on Google Reviews, is free to visit, open every day from 12 October until Halloween, and near 26 dog-friendly restaurants and hotels.

It also hosts ‘West Moors Pumpkin Fest’, which is packed with extra family fun, including tractor rides, live music and a fire pit. The Pumpkin Fest is open: 12, 13 and 19-20 October.

Orway Porch Farm, Devon

In third place with a score of 6.9 is Orway Porch Farmin Cullompton, Mid Devon, the highest-rated pumpkin patch in the South West with a score of 4.8 out if 5 on Google Reviews.

Back for another year, the dog-friendly patch promises more pumpkin varieties than ever before. It is also free to attend, has games and activities, and offers plenty of refreshments onsite, as well as 12 dog-friendly restaurants and hotels nearby.

Hayles Fruit Farm, Cheltenham

The pick-your-own pumpkin patch at Hayles in Winchcombe, Cheltenham, has a score of 6.3 out of 10.

The dog-friendly patch is open on 10-11 and 17-18 of October from 9 am to 3 pm , and Halloween at Hayles runs from Saturday 24 October to Saturday 31 October.

It is £4 per ticket, and guests can enjoy a spooky walk around the lake, Tractor Ted activities, marshmallow toasting, loaded hot chocolates and plenty of photo opportunities.

Plus, there are 23 amenities nearby if you fancy a spot of lunch with your pup.

Lotmead Farm, Swindon

Completing the South West’s most dog-friendly pumpkin patches is Lotmead Farm in Swindon, Wiltshire, with a score of 6.1 out of 10.

For £2.64 a ticket, visitors can take their dog (leads required) along with them as they pick pumpkins throughout October. The price of the ticket can be redeemed against the cost of your pumpkin.

With a combo ticket which costs £6.87 for children aged 3-15 or £4.76 for those 16+, other activities are available onsite, such as a Halloween trail and access to the farm park.

Ryan Whitman, Dog Expert at Fish4Dogs, commented: “Dogs are family, so it’s no surprise dog owners want to bring them along to this season’s spooky festivities.

“Pumpkins aren’t only great for carving scary faces into – they also have a lot of digestive benefits for dogs. Packed with fibre, pumpkin is commonly used in dog food to help dogs feel fuller and aid their dog’s bowel health.

“But if you’re thinking of picking your dog their own pumpkin this year, make sure you’re not giving them raw pumpkin. The skin and stems of pumpkins are not digestible and will cause stomach irritation.

“Uncooked pumpkin flesh can also be hard on their digestion, so it’s much safer to give them cooked pumpkin or opt for foods and treats already enriched with pumpkin and paired with other delicious flavours.”

You can view the full study findings here.