A farming family near Milton Abbas are throwing open their gates for a second time, and inviting the public to come and pick a pumpkin.

From 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays up to Halloween, the Miller family, who have farmed in Dorset for four generations, will offer a special festive experience for visitors.

The family, who run a mixed sheep, beef and arable enterprise, started the pumpkin event last year, and the response was such they are growing twice as many pumpkins this year.

The Millers have farmed at Longclose for almost 80 years, but pumpkins were only introduced for the first time last year. Visitors were welcomed from across Dorset and beyond and they enjoyed a truly rural pumpkin picking experience. The diversification project was a success and they sold out quickly, so this year they have decided to grow a few more! No booking is required and there is no charge for parking or entry. Pumpkins are priced according to size. Dorset Lamb will be returning to sell hot food and drinks every day.

Not only will the array of gourds be swelled, the decorative displays will be bigger and better and a Munchkin Patch of mini pumpkins that children will love has been introduced. As well as the pumpkins, other attractions include a craft fair (October 23/24 only) and the new farm animal area.

Michael and Vicki Miller run the farm business alongside their sons Quenton and Justin and their daughter Georgina. The family have all worked together, ably supported by Alice and Kelly, Quenton and Justin’s wives.

The pumpkins have all been individually grown from seed in their greenhouse and planted in the pumpkin patch, without the use of herbicides or pesticides. There is a mix of varieties which have produced a lovely range of different sized orange and white pumpkins to choose from.

Go to dorsetcountry pumpkins.co.uk for more, or just go to Longclose Farm, Milton Abbas, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0BU.