One of South Wales’ biggest autumn attractions is preparing to open its gates, with Clearwell Farm transforming 12 acres of countryside into a huge pumpkin village for October.
The Cardiff farm has planted more than 60,000 pumpkins across 27 different varieties for this year’s spooky season, with pumpkin picking, live music, street food, bars and plenty of Halloween activities planned throughout the month.
But this is much more than simply heading into a field and choosing a pumpkin.
At the heart of Clearwell is its colourful Pumpkin Village, made up of six life-sized buildings covered and surrounded by thousands of pumpkins, creating one of the farm’s biggest photo opportunities.
Visitors will be able to grab a wheelbarrow and head out into the fields to pick their own pumpkins, with everything from traditional orange pumpkins to more unusual shapes, colours and varieties growing across the farm.
There will also be plenty of pre-picked pumpkins available for anyone who doesn’t fancy venturing into the fields.
Food, fire pits and live music
Clearwell has turned pumpkin picking into a full autumn day out.
Across the site there will be multiple street food vendors, alongside three bars serving drinks throughout the season.
Visitors will also be able to gather around the fire pits to roast marshmallows, while live music is planned every night, adding to the atmosphere as the sun goes down over the farm.
Families can expect face painting and plenty of photo opportunities throughout the site, while the farm’s 12-acre setting means there’s plenty of space to explore.
One of the best times to visit could be after the sun begins to set.
Twilight pumpkin picking will return, giving visitors the chance to explore the farm and Pumpkin Village as the lights come on and the atmosphere completely changes.
Things get much scarier after dark
For those looking for something considerably less family-friendly, October also sees the return of Harvest of Horror.
The farm’s nighttime scare experience returns on selected evenings, transforming Clearwell into a very different place once darkness falls.
Live scare actors, immersive sets and horror experiences take over parts of the farm, with this year’s event expanding to include a new circus and unfairground theme alongside the cursed world of the Harvest of Horror.
It’s strictly one for the braver visitors and is separate from the family-friendly Pumpkin Village experience.
Whether you’re heading down to find the perfect pumpkin, roast marshmallows around the fire, grab some street food or brave the farm after dark, Clearwell is preparing for its biggest spooky season yet.
Clearwell Farm’s Pumpkin Village opens for October with more than 60,000 pumpkins, 27 varieties and 12 acres of autumn activities to explore.
