A Swindon farm has made it into the South West’s top five places to go pumpkin picking with the dog this autumn.
Lotmead Farm has been ranked as one of the region’s best dog-friendly pumpkin patches in new research looking at places where the whole family – including its four-legged members – can enjoy a trip out this Halloween.
The Wanborough farm took fifth place in the South West rankings, scoring 6.1 out of 10 in research carried out by pet food company Fish4Dogs.
It puts the Swindon attraction alongside farms in Cornwall, Dorset, Devon and Gloucestershire in the regional top five.
Lotmead makes the South West top five
Pumpkin picking has grown considerably in popularity over recent years, becoming something of an October tradition for families.
For dog owners, however, finding somewhere that welcomes their pet isn’t always quite so straightforward.
Fish4Dogs looked at 67 pumpkin patches across the UK which allow dogs, comparing factors including the cost of admission, Google review ratings and the number of dog-friendly restaurants and hotels nearby.
Lotmead Farm came out as one of the strongest options in the South West.
Dogs are welcome to join their owners pumpkin picking at the Swindon farm, although they must be kept on leads.
According to the study, pumpkin-picking admission costs £2.64, with the ticket price redeemable against a pumpkin.
Those wanting to make more of a day of it can also buy a combination ticket giving access to additional activities, including the farm park and a Halloween trail.
Combination tickets are listed at £6.87 for children aged between three and 15, and £4.76 for those aged 16 and over.
The South West’s most dog-friendly pumpkin patches
Taking the number one spot was Trevaskis Farm in Cornwall, which achieved an overall score of 7.1 out of 10.
The Cornish farm has a Google rating of 4.3 and the research identified 43 dog-friendly restaurants and hotels nearby.
Just 0.1 points behind was Gulliver’s Farm Pumpkin Patch in West Moors, Dorset, with a score of 7 out of 10.
The Dorset attraction has a 4.6 Google rating and is free to visit, with 26 dog-friendly restaurants and hotels identified nearby.
Orway Porch Farm in Cullompton, Devon, was third with 6.9 out of 10. It had the highest Google rating of the five farms, at 4.8 out of five.
Hayles Fruit Farm in Winchcombe, near Cheltenham, was fourth with 6.3, leaving Swindon’s Lotmead Farm to complete the South West top five with 6.1.
Pumpkin can be a treat for dogs – but not straight from the field
Although taking the dog along for pumpkin picking can make for a great autumn day out, owners are being warned not to simply let their pet tuck into a freshly picked pumpkin.
Ryan Whitman, a dog expert at Fish4Dogs, said it was understandable that owners wanted their dogs to be part of the family’s Halloween activities.
He explained that pumpkin can be beneficial to dogs because it contains fibre and is commonly included in dog food to support digestion.
However, raw pumpkin isn’t necessarily a suitable treat.
The skin and stems can be difficult for dogs to digest and may cause stomach irritation, while uncooked pumpkin flesh can also be hard on their digestive system.
Owners wanting to give their dog pumpkin are instead advised to use cooked pumpkin or choose dog food and treats which already contain it.
An autumn day out close to home
For Swindon dog owners who don’t fancy travelling across the South West to get their pumpkin-picking fix, having one of the region’s five highest-ranked locations on the doorstep certainly makes things easier.
And with the October weather doing its usual best to remind everyone that summer is well and truly behind us, wellies might be as important as the dog lead.
Lotmead Farm’s place in the top five also gives Swindon another reason to make the most of the farm during one of its busiest times of the year.
Just don’t let the dog choose the pumpkin.
