The scent of pumpkin spice has started to fill the air, the chunky knitwear is being dusted off as we speak, and – if you listen carefully enough – you’ll likely hear the sound of the Gilmore Girls opening credits coming from every direction. The time has come, folks – autumn is officially here. And with the return of the cosy comes the return of Europe’s largest pumpkin festival – which will be swinging open its doors for the season this weekend.
Less than an hour from the capital city, spanning 100 acres of West Sussex countryside is Tulleys. If you’ve not visited Tulleys yourself, it’s highly likely that you’ve seen it splashed all over your social media feed. Because when it comes to pumpkins, the lovely lot over Tulleys take a more-is-more approach, to say the least.
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival
Over 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds will transform Tulleys into a picture-perfect pumpin paradise this autumn. Swinging open its gates for the season on Septemer 19 (this Saturday), Tulleys Pumpkin Festival boasts over 100 different varieties of pumpkin – who knew that many even existed?
The award-winning festival offers visitors the chance to get stuck into a spot of pumpkin-picking, listen to live music, tuck into a whole host of seasonal food and drink, and take some absolutely sensational snaps at one of the (over 30) photo opportunities.
This year, Tulleys is levelling up this and introducing a brand new attraction. The Pumpkin Valley will make 2026 the most immersive iteration of the festival yet, featuring winding paths, wooden bridges, peaceful ponds, humongous pumpkin sculptures, and a Pumpkin Farm House and Hobbit House to explore.
If the prospect of picking your own pumpkins after dark sounds appealing to you, you also have the option of attending one of the ‘Pumpkin Nights’. These enchanting evenings will allow guests to pic pumpkins beneath the stars, wander down illuminated woodland paths, and enjoy your seasonal street food with a delicious cocktail on the side. Sounds pretty darn dreamy, right?
Getting to Tulleys from London
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is approximately a 90-minute drive from central London, and there is plenty of free parking available on site. It’s speedier to get there on the train, though. Non-drivers can hop on a speedy service from London Bridge to Three Bridges. From there, you can take an onwards local bus or a quick cab ride.
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is will be open from September 19 until October 31. Find out more, book your tickets, and plan your visit here.
