Review: Wasing Estate pumpkin patch and woodland trail

While many pumpkin patches are just that - fields with pumpkins to pick - Wasing Estate has taken this (newish) family tradition to the next level.

The estate in Aldermaston has set up the cutest family-friendly trail through its woodlands, complete with a life-sized Cinderella-style pumpkin carriage. It seemed like a good place to head for our first pumpkin patch experience and find out if we’ve been missing out on this popular trend.

READ MORE: First look: Magical woodland trail with pumpkin patch and life-size carriage opening

(Image: Emily Roberts) Upon arrival, visitors are invited to grab a wheelbarrow to push along the trail ready to collect a pumpkin at the end.

It was a particularly miserable day weather wise when we visited, down to the ferocities of Storm Ashley.

As is always the case with booking outdoor activities in Britain, the weather stands a strong chance of ruining your fun. It seemed particularly unfair given the previous day we had enjoyed unseasonably warm sunshine.

I did question my life choices when turning up and realising that, yes, we were going to walk through a forest of trees in a storm.

Thankfully, Ashley wasn't quite as ferocious as threatened - he may have caused the Great South Run in Portsmouth to be cancelled, but he wasn't going to stop us from pushing our wheelbarrow along a muddy woodland path to choose a (rather wet and slippery) pumpkin from a damp field.

Determined to make the most of it, we wrapped up in wet weather gear and welly boots to follow the trail through the woods.

It was both magical and enchanting and the forest location was the best choice for the weather as the trees offered some protection and shelter from the incessant drizzle.

Around every corner was a different surprise, including fairies, giant mushrooms, large autumnal leaves, a wishing well, spider’s web, and of course the giant pumpkin carriage.

(Image: Emily Roberts) A remembrance wall had been created to light a candle for a loved one, and when I asked my son who he would like to light one for, I felt rather touched when he chose "my great grandma" (my own grandmother whom he never met).

After an obligatory photo inside the pumpkin carriage, we made our way to a field dotted with hundreds of orange pumpkins nestled in the undergrowth.

The pumpkin carriage photographed by Wasing Estate (Image: Wasing Estate) My son painstakingly walked around the entire pumpkin patch to find 'the best' one, which turned out to be a brute of a pumpkin he could barely pick up. My enthusiasm waned at the thought of the carving effort involved, but there was no way I could tempt him with a smaller, more perfectly formed alternative.

So, we heaved it into the wheelbarrow and made our way to the tent for a hot chocolate and coffee to warm us up before heading home.

Would I visit a pumpkin patch again? I don't think I'll have a choice now my son knows what’s involved – he’ll be asking to go back next year.