Where to get your carve on during the hallowed season
Dressing up in ghoulish costumes, going door to door for treats, and carving . . . turnips? Scottish and Irish immigrants in the late 19th century brought this custom to America, native land of pumpkins, and a modern tradition was born. With themes of harvest and Halloween, a cornucopia of pumpkin-related events are taking place in and near west London this month:
Competitive Carving
Fortnum and Mason are holding their annual pumpkin carving competitions on Halloween day, the first at 3 p.m. for children up to ten years and the second at 6 p.m. for adults (somewhat unfairly including kids from 11 up). Points are awarded for skill, scariness, creativity and luminosity, with the winning jack o’ lanterns featuring in the shop’s hallowed windows.
If you don’t have a pumpkin to carve, head over to Kew Gardens, where of course they grow their own. Stroll along the Pumpkin Parade to goggle gourds of all sorts, from the flower-shaped Moonbeam to freaky Turk’s Turban. You’ll find recipe ideas along the way (or skip the trek and try Toulouse Lautrec’s Gratin of Pumpkin recipe from Kew’s website. Then wander over to the Waterlily House to see the Pumpkin Pyramid, four metres high and composed of 75 varieties. Finally, sharpen your skills at a masterclass in pumpkin carving, each weekend and daily through half term.
Down on the Farm
Prefer to pick your own? A handful of farms in Surrey—within easy reach of west London—feature pumpkin patches, such as Crockford Bridge Farm Shop & Pick Your Own near Weybridge, whose pumpkins range from wee one-pounders to 28-pound monsters. During Halloween week events include apple bobbing and a scary performance held “in the Wicked Woods”.
At Garsons Farm in Esher perfect pumpkins are ready for plucking. During half term they’re hosting spooky story writing and colouring competitions, and on the 28th kids can meet “spooky creatures” (creepy crawlies).
Down at Priory Farm near Redhill, they have sadly suspended pick-your-own, but there are still pumpkins in the shop as well as Halloween-themed events, and kids can choose a pumpkin from the Witches Cave and Spooky Tunnel.
Pumpkin Patches and More lists pastoral joys including corn mazes, apple orchards, and pony/train/tractor rides all over the southeast.
So pick your pumpkin to decorate your house, compete for a prize, and scare off dodgy spirits with one fell swoop of the carving knife.
