IN PICTURES: Autumnal fun at Bell’s Pumpkin Patch

It has been a record-breaking opening weekend at Bell’s Pumpkin Patch this year.

Enjoying the pumpkin patch is Amy Wolfe-Gill with James Wolfe-Gill, aged one. EMN-211018-102826001
Enjoying the pumpkin patch is Amy Wolfe-Gill with James Wolfe-Gill, aged one. EMN-211018-102826001
Enjoying the pumpkin patch is Amy Wolfe-Gill with James Wolfe-Gill, aged one. EMN-211018-102826001

The event kicked off on Saturday with families flocking to the Benington site to enjoy the various autumnal activities on offer and pick their own pumpkins.
The popularity of the attraction - now in its sixth year - has seen the pick-your-own patch and the events field double in size for 2021.

Two records were also broken this year, according to Bell’s. The first being the number of visitors - with ‘several thousand’ attending at the weekend - and the second being the largest pumpkin ever weighed in at ‘Lincolnshire’s Great Pumpkin Weigh Off’.

Bell’s Retail director Holly Bell said: “After selling out on every session last year, and having to turn a large number of visitors away, we spent a long time in the months that followed planning the expansion and changes needed to allow the event to continue to grow.

Rebecca Cobb and Gracie Crooks pick their own at Bell's Pumpkin Patch. EMN-211018-102813001
Rebecca Cobb and Gracie Crooks pick their own at Bell's Pumpkin Patch. EMN-211018-102813001
Rebecca Cobb and Gracie Crooks pick their own at Bell's Pumpkin Patch. EMN-211018-102813001

“This year we have created even more elaborate displays and photo stations, and the effort has paid off, with the patch already being named one of the UK’s top patches by Country Living Magazine, The Daily Mail and Wanderlust.”

Along with the autumnal photo opportunities, attractions included the maize maze, a pumpkin-firing cannon, potato catapults, children’s bounce and climb, pedal tractors, pumpkin carving, a giant pumpkin display, an indoor pumpkin market, and ‘singing pumpkins’.

Holly added: “Looking at ticket sales, it’s clear we’re no longer just attracting local visitors, with people travelling from Peterborough, Gainsborough, Cambridge and the North. There are groups of young people who come just for the photos and food, and we even have lots of couples coming on dates.”

Len Saint’s monster pumpkin was the record-beating whopper, weighing in at 286kg. Holly said: “It took eight men to grapple the over sized fruit onto the scales.”

Picking a pumpkin for Halloween: Leah Bridger, of Boston, with Lilly Woods, 4. EMN-211018-103909001
Picking a pumpkin for Halloween: Leah Bridger, of Boston, with Lilly Woods, 4. EMN-211018-103909001
Picking a pumpkin for Halloween: Leah Bridger, of Boston, with Lilly Woods, 4. EMN-211018-103909001

She added: “We strive to be the absolute best patch to visit each autumn, and we have a brilliant team who work hard to create it all each year. Reading the reviews and seeing the photos posted on Instagram makes it all worth while”

Trying out the pumpkin carving is Elland Tyzack-Morley, 4, Leah Sheldon and Briana Tyzack-Jackman, from Boston. EMN-211018-102442001
Trying out the pumpkin carving is Elland Tyzack-Morley, 4, Leah Sheldon and Briana Tyzack-Jackman, from Boston. EMN-211018-102442001
Trying out the pumpkin carving is Elland Tyzack-Morley, 4, Leah Sheldon and Briana Tyzack-Jackman, from Boston. EMN-211018-102442001
Woody Rowbotton, 3, Josh Rowbotton, William Gibbard, 11 months, and Ben Gibbard. EMN-211018-102513001
Woody Rowbotton, 3, Josh Rowbotton, William Gibbard, 11 months, and Ben Gibbard. EMN-211018-102513001
Woody Rowbotton, 3, Josh Rowbotton, William Gibbard, 11 months, and Ben Gibbard. EMN-211018-102513001
Natasha Doggett, 13, and Jack Doggett, 10, of Sleaford, watch the pumpkin cannon being fired. EMN-211018-102553001
Natasha Doggett, 13, and Jack Doggett, 10, of Sleaford, watch the pumpkin cannon being fired. EMN-211018-102553001
Natasha Doggett, 13, and Jack Doggett, 10, of Sleaford, watch the pumpkin cannon being fired. EMN-211018-102553001
In the maize maze: Jaleena Toyne, 2, Kaysleigh Toyne, Sarah Heffernan, and Taaliora Lucy Grace Toyne, 6. From Boston. EMN-211018-102712001
In the maize maze: Jaleena Toyne, 2, Kaysleigh Toyne, Sarah Heffernan, and Taaliora Lucy Grace Toyne, 6. From Boston. EMN-211018-102712001
In the maize maze: Jaleena Toyne, 2, Kaysleigh Toyne, Sarah Heffernan, and Taaliora Lucy Grace Toyne, 6. From Boston. EMN-211018-102712001
Clare Murphy with Leon Murphy, two, of Boston. EMN-211018-102738001
Clare Murphy with Leon Murphy, two, of Boston. EMN-211018-102738001
Clare Murphy with Leon Murphy, two, of Boston. EMN-211018-102738001
Pictured from left: Henry Bothamley, 6, Elsie Bothamley, 2, and Arthur Bothamley, 4, of Heckington. EMN-211018-103856001
Pictured from left: Henry Bothamley, 6, Elsie Bothamley, 2, and Arthur Bothamley, 4, of Heckington. EMN-211018-103856001
Pictured from left: Henry Bothamley, 6, Elsie Bothamley, 2, and Arthur Bothamley, 4, of Heckington. EMN-211018-103856001
Kate Tait and Adam Carter of Sleaford with Jack Tait, four. EMN-211018-103743001
Kate Tait and Adam Carter of Sleaford with Jack Tait, four. EMN-211018-103743001
Kate Tait and Adam Carter of Sleaford with Jack Tait, four. EMN-211018-103743001
Vaida Ringyte, Jessica Pogwild, 8, and Lukas Pogwizd of Fishtoft EMN-211018-102457001
Vaida Ringyte, Jessica Pogwild, 8, and Lukas Pogwizd of Fishtoft EMN-211018-102457001
Vaida Ringyte, Jessica Pogwild, 8, and Lukas Pogwizd of Fishtoft EMN-211018-102457001
There are plenty of autumnal activities on offer this year. Photos by David Dawson.
There are plenty of autumnal activities on offer this year. Photos by David Dawson.
There are plenty of autumnal activities on offer this year. Photos by David Dawson.
Lucas Marsh 7 of Gosberton EMN-211018-102541001
Lucas Marsh 7 of Gosberton EMN-211018-102541001
Lucas Marsh 7 of Gosberton EMN-211018-102541001