Autumn has arrived in South Devon, and with it, one of the region's biggest family fixtures. Pennywell Farm's annual Pumpkin Festival is running from 26 September to 1 November, open every day from 9am to 4pm, so it's a good shout for a half-term day out. The farm sits at Lower Dean in Buckfastleigh, about halfway between Plymouth and Exeter and a short drive from Dartmoor, which makes it an easy reach from either end of the South West.
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The first thing to know is that you can't just turn up. All tickets must be booked online in advance, and there's no entry or payment at the gate, so sort yours before you set off. Prices are £24.95 for adults, £21.95 for concessions and £19.95 for children over 90cm, and that covers a lot more than just the pumpkins. The headline attraction is the pumpkin patch, where you pick your own pumpkin and pay for it separately by size, but the ticket itself unlocks the rest of the farm.
For younger visitors, the day is built around a series of trails and games: the Fabulously Fun Pumpkin Trail, Paddy the Pumpkin's games, Spot the Golden Pumpkin, and a couple more that earn you stickers along the way. There's piggy cuddling with the miniature pigs, animal encounters where you can feed goat kids, pamper ponies and meet Highland cattle, alpacas and heavy horses, and a set of rides including the Red Rocket for anyone over 90cm, the Tractor and Trailer ride with views over Dartmoor and the Rainbow Railway for the little ones. The indoor play barn, bouncy castles and giant slides keep things going even when the weather turns. On weekends and school holidays, the Big Show adds magic, comedy and juggling to the mix.
Food is well covered, too. The Coffee Cabin is open every day with pasties, sandwiches and snacks, while weekends and school holidays bring out hot dogs, pizza, fresh donuts and marshmallow toasting. Noah's Barn does stone-baked pizzas, Treetops Takeaway serves gourmet hot dogs with vegan and gluten-free options and loaded fries, and the Horsebox Bar pours beers from Salcombe Brewery. You can bring a picnic, but you can't bring your own alcohol or toast your own marshmallows on the bonfires.
If you're planning your visit, a couple of practical notes are worth knowing. The farm runs on a half-hourly schedule, so there's something new to do every 30 minutes, from ferret racing and goat milking to pig racing and bottle feeding. Dogs are welcome with free kennels in the car park, and there's accessible parking and toilets with baby changing. The farm sits at 650 feet with views over the Dart Valley, so warm clothes and sturdy boots are a good idea, and there's a rainy-day guarantee: if it rains continuously for 30 minutes or more, you can claim a free return pass valid for seven days from the shop. There's no direct bus, so the car is your best bet, with the A38 only a few minutes away. If you'd rather go after dark, the separate Pumpkin Nights run on selected dates in October from 6pm to 9pm, with pumpkin picking under the stars, live music and marshmallow toasting by the fire pits.
Published Date
27 September 2026
