Pumpkin Picking In Kent – PYO At Stanhill Farm

As the crisp, amber-tinted days of October roll in, it’s time to immerse ourselves in one of fall’s most cherished activities and head to Kent for some Pumpkin Picking. In this post, I’m thrilled to take you through a delightful escapade at one of Kent’s treasured locations for this autumnal tradition – Stanhill Farm. Tucked amidst the picturesque landscapes of Kent, Stanhill Farm stands out as an enchanting destination for everyone looking to partake in pumpkin picking. Whether you’re planning a family outing, an excursion with friends, or a peaceful solo adventure, this farm offers a splendid array of pumpkins amidst a backdrop of stunning fall scenery. So, pull on your welly boot, and let’s embark on a journey to discover the joys and wonders of Pumpkin Picking in Kent at the charming Stanhill Farm.

As the spirit of Halloween casts its mystical spell, I embarked on a journey to Kent, the Garden of England, to immerse myself in the seasonal festivities at the Stanhill Farm pumpkin patch. Join me in this article as I guide you through the farm’s rich history, a visit to its renowned pumpkin patch, and a scenic circular walk that showcases the bucolic beauty of Kent’s countryside.

Will you dare follow me?

All You Need to Know about Stanhill Farm

Before you set foot in the pumpkin patch at Stanhill Farm, here is what you need to know about the place.

General Information

Contact

Hello, are you there?

Address: The Farm House, Birchwood Rd, Dartford DA2 7HD

How to get there: By car, by bus 49 or B12, by train from Bexley, Swanley or Dartford and then take a taxi or walk

Website: www.stanhillfarm.co.uk

Phone: 01322 669 711

Email Adress: info@stanhillfarm.co.uk

Opening Hours of the Pumpkin Patch

Throughout October

Monday to Saturday: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Subject to change each year, please check the website for more information

Admission Fee of the Pumpkin Patch

Booking Required

Entrance Fee: £3.50

The price includes parking charge and use of the wheelbarrow

Pumpkin Cost

Let’s go shopping!

Full wheelbarrow: £37.00
Mini: £1.00
Small: £1.50
Medium: £3.50
Large: £5.50
Giant pumpkins: Individually priced

You can pay by card or cash

Facilities

What can I expect?

Farm Shop

Corn Field Maze

Coffee Shop

Burger Trailer

Toilets

PYO strawberries field

Outfit

What to wear to visit the Pumpkin Patch?

Well, it depends on the weather.

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear. The terrain can get extremely muddy when it has been raining so waterproof footwear is advisable.

On the other hand, the pumpkin patch is exposed with no shade, so if you are going on a bright day, make sure that you carry a head cover with you. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also advisable.

Bring gloves! Whatever the weather, bring a pair of gloves with you as the stems of the pumpkins are spiky.

A little bit of History

The 150-acre expanse you are exploring today is cultivated by two brothers, Toby and Max William, who took stewardship of the land in 2004. Initially, the farm was a modest enterprise, producing cabbage, beans, and courgettes primarily for supermarket chains and wholesalers. Within five years, the Williams brothers broadened their horticultural horizons, diversifying the fruits and vegetables grown and nurturing their Pick-Your-Own (PYO) venture. As the appetite for farm-fresh produce grew beyond the PYO season, an innovative ‘honesty box‘ system was introduced. Its success led to the birth of a farm shop in October 2009, with a coffee shop soon following to cater to the visitors.

Today, the shop stands as a testament to their efforts, offering an array of locally sourced produce including fruits, vegetables, eggs, artisanal bread, and cheese. It’s a local treasure trove that’s well worth your visit!

The Pumpkin Patch

Our adventure today is to revel in the rustic charm of the pumpkin patch. What wonders await us there?

Grab your wheelbarrow at the entrance and venture on the main path to the first pumpkin patch. The path leads you to a display of pumpkins and squashes of various colours nestled on a bed of golden straw. A straw bench offers a moment of rest and a picturesque spot for a seasonal snapshot.

Venturing further, you’ll discover an array of Halloween-themed cut-out boards, perfect for capturing memories, especially for the little adventurers among us. And let’s not forget the star attraction: a giant pumpkin cut-out board with scary teeth.

Deeper into the patch, traditional orange pumpkins lie in wait. They vary in size and character, each one with its own imperfections. Gently turn them to inspect from all angles, ensuring your chosen pumpkins are as pleasing from the back as they are from the front.

A word of caution: Despite their benign appearance, pumpkin stems are deceptively prickly. It’s wise to handle the pumpkins by their solid flesh or come prepared with gloves to safely grasp the peduncle.

Happy pumpkin picking!

Walk to Stanhill Farm from Swanley

Do you feel adventurous and want to walk to Stanhill farm? Here is the detailed walk you can do from Swanley to Stanhill and back.

Logistics of the Swanley to Stanhill Farm Walk

Highlights of the Swanley to Stanhill Farm Walk

Swanley

Our walk starts at Swanley Train Station, established in 1861, which transformed this once sparse collection of homes and farms into a flourishing town. Now a hub for local enterprises, parks, and education—including the Orchard Academy—it’s a suburban gem for London commuters.

From the station, take a right onto Station Approach, continue straight past the first roundabout, then left, ascending the pedestrian path to the second roundabout, where you can see the St Mary The Virgin Church. This edifice stands where St Paul’s Church once did, back in 1894.

Turn right and continue walking straight until you reach Swanley Park

Swanley Park

You soon arrive at Swanley Park, a green oasis in the middle of the town. The 60-acre (24 ha) park offers a wide range of activities from water attractions such as a splash pool or pedallos on the lake, to a soft play barn for the little ones.

You also find a cafe serving hot and cold drinks as well as a selection of meals and sandwiches.

Circle the lake, exiting between the paddling pool and the soft play barn. Cross the road and embark on the footpath straight ahead. At the crossroads, choose the right path, marked by the imposing cast iron gate of Hextable Parish Council.

The trail here is a picturesque blend of wooden palisades and lush hedges. A gap in the foliage reveals golden fields—don’t miss this turn, or you’ll end up at a dead end.

Once you reach the end of the field, you arrive face to face with 2 meadows, take the footpath going along the meadow on the right of the trees. The hedge of trees separating the 2 fields should be on your left-hand side. Continue straight and at the end turn left onto a footpath bordered by hedges on both sides.

You have arrived at the Stanhill Farm. Ready for a pumpkin-picking experience in the beautiful Kent countryside?

Southwark Cathedral to Otford Trail

After visiting the farm, you can:

• Take a taxi back to Swanley Station
• Go back to Swanley Station the same way you came
• Go back to Swanley Station via a different route (recommended)

We are opting for the third option.

Get back on the main road where the entrance of Stanhill Farm is located. Turn left and saunter down to Leydenhatch Lane. Here lies a challenge: a 100-meter stretch without sidewalks. If sharing the lane with vehicles isn’t your cup of tea, it may be wise to backtrack the way you came.

For the bold, time your crossing wisely and traverse the ‘tree tunnel‘ that lies ahead. Once past this, the sidewalk reappears, and safety resumes. Remember that you won’t be the only one doing this, I even saw families with pushchairs doing it.

The sidewalk restarts after the tree tunnel and you can continue your walk down Birchwood Lane safely. At the crossroad with B2173, London Road turn right and follow the road until you reach the roundabout with St Mary the Virgin Church we saw at the start of the walk.

Continue along Birchwood Lane, then at the B2173, London Road, take a right. The church you encountered at the journey’s outset signals you’re nearing the roundabout, and Swanley Train Station is just a stone’s throw away.

After a day spent in Swanley and pumpkin picking aplenty, a 40-minute walk to the station is a welcome finale. It’s not the quaintest return—with roads bustling beside you—but it’s efficient.

Interestingly, London Road is part of the Southwark Cathedral to Otford trail, a historic 21-mile pilgrimage route. Once you’re at the roundabout, retrace the familiar route back to the station.

Here’s to a safe return to London!

Map of the Swanley to Stanhill Farm Walk

Do you want to do the same walk? Simply download the GPS map below for free. You can learn how to upload it onto your navigation app by following my guide on How to Easily View GPX files.

Final Thoughts on Pumpkin Picking in Kent

As our day of pumpkin picking in Kent draws to a close, we leave with not just armfuls of plump, colourful pumpkins, but hearts full of joy and memories that epitomize the spirit of autumn. Whether you’re here for the perfect pumpkin to carve, a picturesque backdrop for your autumnal photos, or simply to bask in the seasonal splendour, Stanhill Farm delivers an experience as rich and varied as the pumpkins themselves. So, as we bid farewell to the rolling fields and the shades of orange and gold, we carry with us the essence of fall, eagerly awaiting our return to this magical place next year.

And you, where is your favourite pumpkin picking pocking patch? Let me know in the comments below.

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