Europe’s Largest Pumpkin Festival Opens in Sussex
Europe’s largest pumpkin festival returns to West Sussex this weekend, with Tulleys Farm opening its 2026 season on 19 September. Spread across 100 acres near Crawley, the event combines pumpkin picking with seasonal food, performers, rides and the new Pumpkin Valley. More than 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds are expected across the site, making it a full autumn day out rather than a quick farm visit.
What to Know Before You Go
- Where: Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill Road, near Crawley, West Sussex.
- Dates: Selected dates from 19 September to 31 October 2026.
- Tickets: Daytime entry from £8.95; prices vary by date.
- Children: Under-twos enter free.
- Pumpkins: Charged separately, from £1 to £25 depending on size.
- Opening: Day sessions generally begin at 09:30 and finish around 17:00–17:30.
- Parking: Free.
- Payment: Cashless.
- Booking: Timed entry slots are sold online in advance.
New for 2026, Pumpkin Valley adds giant pumpkin sculptures, a farmhouse, bridges, ponds and themed displays alongside the main picking fields. The 33-metre observation wheel gives views across the Sussex countryside, while roaming performers, musicians, street theatre and seasonal food stalls fill the rest of the site. Some attractions, including the observation wheel, cost extra, so entry does not cover everything once inside.
The closest railway stations are Crawley and Three Bridges, with the final leg possible by taxi or Metrobus 84. Gatwick Airport is around 15 minutes away by taxi, while drivers can reach the site via the M23. There is no daytime time limit once inside, so it is easy to spend several hours there rather than rushing through the pumpkin fields. Dogs are allowed during daytime sessions if kept on a lead, making it more flexible for families planning a full day out.
Peak weekends and school-holiday dates can sell out, so booking ahead is worth considering if you have a fixed day in mind. Waterproof shoes are also worth bringing after rain, as the fields and paths can become muddy. The mix of picking, rides, food and new attractions makes this more useful as a planned autumn day trip than a stop purely for photos.
