The stuff of Instagram dreams and ideal for those looking for spooky things to do, pumpkin picking may seem hard to find in the capital. But don't let that stop you, as we've located all of the closest spots. From week-long festivities with themed menus and fun decor in Milford to orange wonderlands in Kent, here are the 5 best pumpkin patches near London, plus a few pubs to visit after. Wellies at the ready, city slickers.

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Secretts of Milford and The Weyside 

1hr15 drive or 50 min train from Waterloo to Milford, followed by a leafy 15 min walk.

Home to the ultimate Halloween-themed event, Secretts of Milford will once again be running their legendary pumpkin week from the 22nd to the 29th of October. Make sure to get your tickets online before you go, as well as bring a strong bag for carrying your freshly picked produce home. There will also be a fancy dress competition, pumpkin-themed menu, biscuit decorating and so much more. If you visited by car? Pootle up the road to gorgeous Guildford and you’ll find The Weyside, a waterside pub that comes complete with original beams, roaring fires and one of the prettiest terraces in the biz. 

Expect fun Halloween decor and a range of beaut pumpkins ripe for the picking.

Garsons PYO Farm and The Bear

1hr drive or 30 min train from Waterloo to Hersham, followed by a 35 min walk.

Head to Garsons PYO Farm and you'll find a year-round crop calendar, rustic shop and vibrant garden centre - just make sure to book your farm pass in advance online. Wander through the laden pumpkin patches, or fill your boots with cabbages, carrots and sweetcorn. And after all that hard work, you'll be in need of some food; stroll into Esher to find the cosy country pub, The Bear. With a gorgeous beer garden and rustic interiors, it’s the perfect place to curl up and dig into a bowl of goose-fat roasties.

Whether you fancy a pumpkin for carving, making soup or anything else, Garsons PYO Farm is a great shout.

Lathcoats Farm and The Golden Fleece

1hr10 drive or 35 min train from London Liverpool Street to Chelmsford, and a 15 min bus ride.

Found just a 15-minute bus ride away from Chelmsford, Lathcoats Farm offers a fantastic pumpkin patch in Essex. It's a lovely spot to spend an afternoon exploring and getting your dose of that fresh countryside air. The family-owned farm grows over 40 varieties of apples, along with strawberries, cherries and raspberries in the summer months. But when October strikes, it’s all about the orange - with pumpkin picking and carving galore. Better yet? Chelmsford happens to be home to the charming Golden Fleece pub.

While you may assume Essex is all about the glitz and glam, it's also home to gorgeous rolling hills and cosy pubs aplenty.

Tulleys Farm and The Crown

1hr30 drive or a 30 min train from London Bridge to Three Bridges, followed by a 15 min bus to The Crown and a pretty 25 min walk.

When it comes to pumpkin picking, Tulleys Farm is a popular choice - and it's not hard to see why. Pop along in the day to choose your favourite one, with Instagrammable photo ops and live roaming characters to really set the scene. Or if you fancy making a night of it? You can also visit later in the evening, to find yours under the moonlit sky, then soak up the atmosphere with drinks, US-inspired food and live music. But if you just fancy the warmth of a traditional pub, head back to the bus stop to find The Crown at Turners Hill.

For a Halloween-inspired extravaganza, Tulleys Farm is the place to be. 

Hewitts Farm and Bunch of Grapes

1hr drive or 45 min train from London Bridge to Knockholt and then a 15 min walk.

Looking for pumpkin picking in Kent? Hewitts Farm can be found by just hopping on a train from London Bridge to Knockholt. October sees this place erupt into a wonderland of orange - with field upon fields of pumpkins just waiting to be chosen. And when you're all harvested out, we recommend heading back to London Bridge for dinner at Bunch of Grapes - a gorgeous pub located a 30-second stroll away. Be sure to grab yourself one of its 'ultimate roasts' - a feast of beef, pork and chicken doused in velvety gravy.

Get Halloween-ready with this countryside escape.

Pick-your-own stocks are all seasonally dependent, so be sure to check with individual farms on their pumpkin availability before setting off. For more spooky shenanigans, check out the best Halloween events in London here and sign up to our newsletter.