Essex pumpkin patch named Britain’s best before half term

Hatter’s Farm, in Takeley, announced the achievement as it prepares to welcome families during the busy half-term week.

The team said it had put a huge amount of “effort and love” into the attraction this year, including improving parking, providing more food and adding more displays.

Owners Ross and Grace said they were “absolutely chuffed” with what they had achieved.

Patch - Hatter's Farm owners Ross and Grace are 'absolutely chuffed' (Image: Hatter's Farm)

Best in Britain - Hatter's Farm pumpkin patch at night (Image: Hatter's Farm)

They said: “We have put so much effort and love into the patch this year, making sure we can deal with weather, more food, better parking, more displays and are absolutely chuffed with what we have achieved!

“Thank you to everyone who has visited so far this season and excited to welcome many more of you in over a busy half term week.

“It really does mean the world, our patch is 7 years old this year and here's to MANY MANY more.”

The pumpkin patch is celebrating its seventh year.

Owners Ross and Grace are celebrating the ranking as a "double whammy" as it builds on its recent high-profile recognition as the UK’s Number One Pumpkin Patch ranked by the AA.

Its attractions include more than 100,000 home-grown pumpkins across dozens of varieties, indoor and outdoor mazes, pumpkin cannons, a Haunted Mad House and evening "Pumpkin Nights".

The family-run farm is located in Takeley, near Bishop's Stortford and the Essex-Hertfordshire border.

Bosses began the journey into pumpkin and squash cultivation in 2015 and in 2020 opened the doors to the pumpkin picking experience for the first time.