Tulleys Pumpkin Festival: Is It Worth Visiting? 🎃

by | Oct 14, 2026 | Autumn, Blog, Halloween | 0 comments

Discover the colourful Pumpkin Valley, the prettiest pumpkin photo spots, pumpkin drinks, Halloween treats and everything you need to know before visiting Tulleys Pumpkin Festival in West Sussex.

If there’s one thing I love about autumn, it’s having an excuse to go ALL OUT. Think beautiful displays, pumpkins everywhere, a little Halloween magic and a fabulous pink witch outfit.

So, when it was time to plan an autumn day out, I headed to Tulleys Pumpkin Festival in West Sussex to discover whether it really is worth the trip.

From the brand-new Pumpkin Valley, with its colourful displays and turquoise streams, to witchy details, seasonal drinks and plenty of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, there’s a lot more to explore than I initially expected.

But is Tulleys Pumpkin Festival worth the money? How long should you allow? What should you wear? And is it worth travelling from London for?

Here’s my review of Tulleys Pumpkin Festival 2026, including my favourite discoveries and practical tips to help you plan your visit.

Watch my Tulleys Pumpkin Festival 2026 video below for the full tour!

What is Tulleys Pumpkin Festival?

Tulleys Pumpkin Festival takes place at Tulleys Pumpkin Farm in West Sussex, near Crawley. It’s a seasonal autumn event where you can explore pumpkin fields, discover themed displays, enjoy seasonal food and drink and take photographs among the pumpkins.

The 2026 festival introduced a new attraction called Pumpkin Valley, featuring giant pumpkin sculptures, turquoise ponds, bright pastel flowers and colourful displays. There are also photo opportunities, live entertainment, food stalls and the opportunity to choose pumpkins to take home.

The festival is designed for families, friends and couples, so you don’t need to be visiting with children to enjoy it. If you’re an adult who loves Halloween, autumn décor and a good photo opportunity, there’s plenty to appeal to you too!

For me, the biggest attraction was the combination of the displays and the atmosphere. It felt like an opportunity to spend a few hours immersed in autumn rather than simply turning up, choosing a pumpkin and heading home.

Exploring Pumpkin Valley: The highlight of Tulleys Pumpkin Festival

If there’s one part of Tulleys Pumpkin Festival I’d make sure you allow plenty of time for, it’s Pumpkin Valley.

This was my favourite part of the visit, and it’s where I found some of the most striking displays.

Rather than simply rows of pumpkins, Pumpkin Valley brings together colourful arrangements, little houses, water features, flowers and larger decorative installations. There’s a real sense of theatre to the setting, with lots of different details to discover as you wander around.

Colourful pumpkins and turquoise streams

One of the first things that caught my eye was the contrast between the bright orange pumpkins and the turquoise water.

There are pumpkins arranged along the water, colourful displays and plenty of opportunities to photograph the details as well as the wider scenery.

I loved how different the colours looked together. Autumn doesn’t always have to be about muted browns and burnt orange; these displays bring in brighter colours that make the whole experience feel playful and a little unexpected.

I’d recommend taking a mixture of photographs. Capture the full scene, then move closer to photograph the pumpkins, flowers and little decorative details.

And if you’re creating content, don’t forget a few short video clips of yourself walking through the displays. They’re lovely for capturing the atmosphere of the day.

Pumpkin houses and statement displays

There are also colourful pumpkin houses and larger statement installations, including a hot air balloon display.

These are the places I’d prioritise if you’re looking for photographs that capture the scale and creativity of Pumpkin Valley.

I found myself stopping every few minutes because there was another detail to photograph. It’s very easy to get carried away when you’re surrounded by pumpkins and beautiful seasonal displays!

My advice is not to rush straight through. Take your time, look around the corners and enjoy the smaller details rather than concentrating only on the biggest attractions.

Flowers and autumn displays

I was also drawn to the flowers.

The combination of pumpkins, colourful flowers and seasonal arrangements makes some of the displays feel almost like an autumn garden.

It’s also a reminder that you can find inspiration here beyond Halloween. If you’re thinking about decorating your own home for autumn, there are plenty of colour combinations and arrangements to take inspiration from.

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Tulleys Pumpkin Festival

The best photo opportunities at Tulleys Pumpkin Festival

One of the main reasons I’d recommend visiting Tulleys is the variety of settings for photographs.

If you love taking seasonal photographs, creating Instagram content or simply documenting a day out with friends, you’ll find lots of different backdrops to explore.

My favourite photo opportunities included:

  • Pumpkin Valley: the colourful houses, turquoise water and pumpkin arrangements.
  • The hot air balloon display: a statement backdrop that captures the scale of the festival.
  • The flower displays: particularly lovely if you enjoy combining autumn colours with flowers.
  • The witchy details: perfect for a Halloween-themed photograph.
  • The pumpkin covered hut: a beautiful seasonal setting with a more rustic feel.

My biggest tip is to take more than one type of photograph at each favourite spot. Get a wide shot of the setting, a closer portrait and a more candid photograph of yourself interacting with the display.

And don’t feel that every photograph has to be perfectly posed. Sometimes the pictures that capture you laughing, exploring or looking at something are the ones you’ll enjoy looking back on most.

What to wear for pumpkin picking

Of course, I had to embrace the occasion with a pink witch hat and a pink outfit! Click here if you want to make your own pink witch hat!

I wanted something playful and seasonal, and the pink worked beautifully against all the orange pumpkins. It was very much a case of channelling my inner Cher Horowitz from Clueless.

However, I would recommend thinking about practicality as well as photographs.

There are stony and uneven areas, and some surfaces can be slippery. My heeled ankle boots weren’t the most practical choice, so I’d opt for flat boots, wellies or chunky trainers if I visited again.

You can absolutely dress up for the photographs, but comfortable footwear will make exploring much more enjoyable

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The new Pumpkin Valley

Halloween displays and a little witchcraft

While Pumpkin Valley was my highlight, I also enjoyed the more theatrical Halloween details around the festival.

There are harvest-inspired arrangements, witchy displays, a haunted hut and plenty of seasonal touches that help create that Halloween atmosphere.

Personally, I love the combination of pretty autumn displays and a little bit of theatrical drama. I don’t necessarily need everything to be frightening; sometimes I just want an excuse to embrace my inner witch.

And by inner witch, I mean the sort who has an enormous wardrobe, flowers everywhere and a beautifully decorated house.

My rich witch era

The witch-themed displays felt like the perfect excuse to embrace a little Practical Magic energy.

Think flowers, autumn colours and a slightly magical atmosphere. All I needed was a beautiful old house and a garden full of flowers!

There are also some more unusual details dotted around the festival, including a guitar and music-note display.

And then we spotted a truck that immediately made me think of Bella’s truck in Twilight.

Tell me it doesn’t give you Twilight vibes!

For a moment, I was ready to expect Edward Cullen to appear from behind a tree, sparkling dramatically in the distance.

I love these unexpected little details because they make exploring the festival feel like an adventure. You never know what might catch your eye next.

Food and drink at Tulleys Pumpkin Festival

After exploring the displays, we took a look at the food and drinks on offer.

There are seasonal refreshments and food stalls, so you can stop for a treat while you’re exploring.

Pumpkin spice latte

What could be more appropriate for a day surrounded by pumpkins than a pumpkin spice latte?

It’s a seasonal classic, and the version I tried came with whipped cream. Very autumnal, very appropriate, and exactly the sort of thing that makes a seasonal day out feel special.

The pumpkin-shaped cold chocolate

The drink that really caught my eye was the pumpkin-shaped cold chocolate.

It’s certainly an eye-catching treat, with its pumpkin-shaped presentation making it a particularly photogenic choice.

However, it cost £12, so I’d consider it an occasional festival treat rather than an everyday drink.

Whether it’s worth the price will depend on how much you value the experience and presentation as well as the drink itself. I can absolutely see the appeal if you enjoy trying unusual seasonal treats, but it’s worth factoring into your budget.

Food stalls and burgers

There are also options if you’re looking for something more substantial.

We looked at the burgers, which were £12.50 during our visit. We did have a little hiccup with our order, and I ended up being given a chicken burger free after the order was muddled up.

So our food experience wasn’t entirely straightforward!

I’d recommend checking what food is available on the day and deciding how much you’d like to spend before you arrive. Admission isn’t necessarily the whole cost of the experience if you also want food, drinks and pumpkins to take home.

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Tulleys Pumpkins

Can you buy pumpkins at Tulleys?

Yes. Choosing a pumpkin is part of the experience, and you can find a range of pumpkins and gourds to take home.

I enjoyed looking at the different varieties, including the little white Baby Boo pumpkins, which can look lovely as part of an autumn display.

If you’re buying pumpkins for your home, think about how you’d like to use them. A mixture of sizes and colours can look beautiful arranged together on a doorstep, table or windowsill.

If you want to use a pumpkin for cooking, check that the variety is suitable for eating rather than assuming every decorative pumpkin is intended for the kitchen.

There is also a shop area with seasonal merchandise, including clothing, toys and other items.

It’s worth browsing if you enjoy seasonal shopping, although for me, the main attraction was the festival itself and the displays outside.

For current pumpkin prices, check the official booking information before visiting, as prices vary by size.

How long do you need at Tulleys Pumpkin Festival?

We spent around three hours exploring Tulleys Pumpkin Festival, and I think that’s a useful starting point if you’re planning your day.

You could spend longer if you want to take lots of photographs, stop for food and drinks, browse the shop and explore every display at a leisurely pace.

If you’re mainly visiting to take a few photographs and choose a pumpkin, you may not need as long.

However, if you love autumn and Halloween, I’d allow a good few hours rather than treating it as a quick stop.

We arrived at around 9:30am on a Saturday, and the car park was already filling up. By the middle of the day, there were noticeably more people around.

I’d therefore recommend booking an early entry slot if you can, particularly if taking photographs is a priority.

It won’t guarantee empty displays, but it gives you a better chance of exploring before the busiest part of the day.

My top tips for visiting Tulleys Pumpkin Festival

Here are the things I’d keep in mind if you’re planning a visit.

1. Book your tickets in advance

Check the official website for the latest dates, entry slots, ticket prices and any seasonal updates before you travel. The daytime festival runs on selected dates, so don’t assume it opens every day.

2. Arrive early if you can

We arrived at around 9:30am on a Saturday, and the car park was already starting to fill up.

An early entry slot is a good option if you want plenty of time to explore and take photographs before the festival gets busier.

3. Wear comfortable shoes

I’d choose flat boots, wellies or chunky trainers over heeled ankle boots. Some areas are stony or uneven, and surfaces can be slippery.

You can still wear a fabulous autumn outfit; just make sure your footwear is suitable for walking around the festival.

4. Allow time for Pumpkin Valley

This was my favourite part of the visit, and I wouldn’t rush through it. There are plenty of colourful displays and little details to discover.

If you’re visiting for photographs, give yourself time to explore rather than trying to capture everything in a hurry.

5. Budget for food, drinks and pumpkins

Seasonal treats can be part of the fun, but they can also add to the cost of your day. We paid £12 for the pumpkin-shaped cold chocolate and saw burgers priced at £12.50.

Check current prices before visiting, and remember that pumpkins you take home may cost extra.

6. Plan your journey carefully

Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is in West Sussex, near Crawley, so you’ll need to plan your onward journey if you’re travelling from London.

The official visitor information lists Crawley and Three Bridges among the nearest railway stations, with bus and taxi options available. Metrobus Route 84 also serves the festival on relevant dates.

Check the official directions and transport information before setting off, and make sure you’re heading to the Pumpkin Fields entrance rather than another Tulleys attraction.

7. Charge your phone or camera

You’ll probably take more photographs than you expect! Bring a portable charger if you have one, particularly if you’re planning to film video as well as take photographs.

How to get to Tulleys Pumpkin Festival from London

Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is located on Turners Hill Road in West Sussex, near Crawley. The postcode listed for navigation is RH10 4PD, although the festival entrance is in the surrounding fields, so follow the official directions and signs.

By car: Tulleys is accessible from the M25 and M23. Check the official directions before travelling, as the Pumpkin Fields entrance is separate from the main Tulleys Farm, Escape Rooms and Tea Room site.

By train: Crawley and Three Bridges are among the nearest railway stations. You’ll need to arrange onward transport from the station.

By taxi: You can arrange a taxi from a nearby station, but check the pickup and drop-off details carefully with the operator. Tulleys specifically advises visitors to make sure their driver knows they’re going to the Pumpkin Fields rather than another Tulleys location.

For the latest travel information, use the official Tulleys directions page.

Is Tulleys Pumpkin Festival worth visiting? My honest review

So, would I recommend Tulleys Pumpkin Festival?

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of displays and how much there was to explore, particularly in the new Pumpkin Valley.

The colourful houses, turquoise streams, flower arrangements and larger installations made it feel like a proper seasonal experience. I also enjoyed the more unusual Halloween details, the opportunity to take photographs and the little treats along the way.

If you love autumn, Halloween, photography and creative seasonal displays, I think there’s plenty to enjoy here.

However, I’d approach it as a proper day out rather than a quick visit. Admission is only part of your budget if you want to buy food, drinks or pumpkins, and travelling from London requires a little planning.

It also gets busier as the day goes on, so I’d aim for an early entry slot if possible.

For me, the biggest appeal was having a few hours to wander around, discover the displays, take photographs and enjoy the atmosphere.

Would I recommend it? Yes, if you love seasonal experiences and want an autumn day out with plenty of photo opportunities. Just plan your budget, wear sensible shoes and allow enough time to enjoy the festival.

And if you happen to find a truck that transports you straight into Twilight, well, that’s an added bonus.

Frequently asked questions about Tulleys Pumpkin Festival

When is Tulleys Pumpkin Festival 2026?

The daytime festival runs on selected dates during the autumn season. The official 2026 calendar lists dates from September into October, with the season ending on 31 October. Check the official dates and times for the latest opening information.

How much do tickets cost?

Ticket prices vary by date and ticket type. The 2026 ticket information has advertised daytime admission from £8.95, but check the official booking page for the price and availability for your chosen date.

How long should I spend at Tulleys Pumpkin Festival?

We spent around three hours exploring. I’d allow at least a few hours if you want to take photographs, explore Pumpkin Valley, stop for food and browse the shop.

Is Tulleys Pumpkin Festival suitable for adults?

Yes. Although it’s a family-friendly attraction, adults who enjoy Halloween, autumn displays, photography and seasonal days out can enjoy it too. I particularly enjoyed Pumpkin Valley and the variety of photo opportunities.

What should I wear?

Comfortable shoes are the most important thing. I’d recommend flat boots, wellies or chunky trainers because some surfaces are stony or uneven. Dress for the weather, and bring an extra layer if it’s chilly.

Can you take pumpkins home?

Yes, pumpkins are available to buy, with prices varying according to size. Check the official ticket information for current pricing.

Can you get to Tulleys Pumpkin Festival by public transport?

Yes, but you’ll need to plan your onward journey. Crawley and Three Bridges are among the nearest railway stations, and Metrobus Route 84 serves the festival on relevant dates. Check the official transport information before travelling.

Final thoughts: a little autumn magic

Tulleys Pumpkin Festival gave me plenty of colourful displays, lovely autumn details and opportunities to embrace my inner pumpkin princess.

I particularly loved the new Pumpkin Valley, and I’d recommend allowing yourself time to explore it properly rather than rushing from one attraction to the next.

It’s not the cheapest day out once you factor in all the extras, but if you love Halloween, autumn photography and seasonal experiences, it could be a lovely way to spend a few hours.

Happy pumpkin season! 🎃

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