5 reasons to visit Walby Farm Park this autumn or winter

If you’re looking for the perfect family day out in Cumbria, Walby Farm Park, just outside Carlisle, should be right at the top of your list this autumn and winter. Farms aren’t just for summer months and particularly Walby Farm Park. There are seasonal events to enjoy, indoor play areas and all the usual fun of the farm. Find more great Family days out North West here.

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Where is Walby Farm Park?

You can find Walby Farm park here – Walby, Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 4QL.

It’s an award winning, all weather attraction, with loads going on for families over the next few months.

You can read our full Walby Farm Park review here.

Here are 5 reasons why a visit to Walby Farm Park is something you need to plan in before the end of the year.

Children and an adult watch as a pumpkin is launched from a bright yellow cannon across a farm field at Walby Farm Park, with colourful flags marking the attraction.

Enjoy pumpkin picking with the kids this October

From the 4th to 31st October 2025, your day ticket includes access to acres of homegrown pumpkins. They’re growing 6 different varieties this year. Each paying child gets a free pumpkin which you can carve on the farm. I love carving our pumpkins but the mess! You get to leave that all at the farm.

Child and adult carving pumpkins together at a table during a family pumpkin carving activity at Walby Farm Park, with orange buckets and other families in the background.

Your entry to the pumpkin patch also includes all day access to the farm including indoor and outdoor play and lots of animals (more details below). There are also spooky treats and pumpkin soup in the cafe and loads of photo opportunities. Don’t forget to take aim with the Corn Cannon and Pumpkin Cannon (additional fee).

Families walk under strings of carved pumpkin lanterns at Walby Farm Park, with children pulling wheelbarrows ready for pumpkin picking.

During half term there is also the Bewitched BooGaloo Disco & Game Show which is perfect for all ages.

Adult tickets are £12.95, children £14.45, under 1s free,

Book here – Walby Farm Park | Get your tickets

Enjoy pumpkin picking after dark

You can even pick pumpkins after dark which sounds magical. They have 2 adult only evenings (the perfect date night for parents) and 2 family nights if you do want to take the kids.

isitors at Walby Farm Park select pumpkins in the evening under string lights, with a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins and staff at a wooden stall.

Friday 17th & 24th October 2025, 6.30pm–10pm – Adults only evenings

Saturday 18th & 25th October 2025, 6.30pm–10pm – family evenings

The Pumpkin Patch will be beautifully illuminated for you to pick your own pumpkin after dark. Expect twinkling lights, autumn vibes, live music, bar and food to purchase. The animal barn and indoor play areas are also open.

Tickets are £7.50 per person (pumpkins sold separately), £6.50 for annual pass holders.

Carved pumpkins lit from within and strung up as lanterns at Walby Farm Park, glowing against the night sky with designs including faces, bats, and the word “Halloween.”

Book the adult only nights here – Walby Farm Park | Pumpkin Picking After Dark 2025 Grown Ups

Book the family nights here – Walby Farm Park | Pumpkin Picking After Dark 2025 Grown Ups and Families Welcome

The perfect place to meet Father Christmas

This magical Father Christmas on the Farm experience is so much more than a simple Sant’s grotto visit. You can expect a full day of festive magic for the whole family.

Four smiling children dressed in winter clothes stand at the entrance of a festive display at Walby Farm Park, with signs reading “Father Christmas on the Farm” and “Walby Christmas 2024,” surrounded by artificial snow and Christmas decorations.

There will be interactive shows, snow time fun, toasting marshmallows, meet their real reindeer, and build your Teddy in the Teddie Tastic Workshop. You are advised to arrive two hours before your slot but I’d definitely recommend planning a full day out.

Father Christmas dressed in red with a long white beard sits in a large chair at Walby Farm Park, surrounded by wrapped presents, festive lights, and children gathered in front of him.

Your ticket includes full day access to the rest of the farm park including the indoor adventure play barn, Milecastle 62, animal barn and outdoor play areas.

Family and people dressed as elves in a wooden hut

Families and children sitting on benches at Walby Farm Park, enjoying a lively Christmas show with festive decorations and colourful lights.

Opening weekends are 12% cheaper. These are the 22nd & 23rd, 29th & 30th November 2025. The event then runs on 6th & 7th, 13th & 14th and then daily from 20th – 24th December 2025.

Adult tickets start from £22.50, children from £36.45 and under 1s £14.50. These include full day farm access, a visit to Santa, a Christmas gift for each paying child and lots of festive activities.

Book here – Father Christmas On The Farm

Enjoy bonfire night with the family

On Wednesday 5th November there is a bonfire and fireworks. Entry is from 4pm if you want to enjoy food and drink before. The event is from 6pm – 9pm.

The bonfire & fireworks display will be held in the event field (wellies advisable!), well away from the animals who will be safely moved off site or tucked away in the Animal Barn, supervised by a member of our Livestock Team.

The Cowshed Café will be open for delicious, home-cooked hot food and drinks, along with the Piglet’s Pantry. Our Indoor Adventure Play Barn and undercover Milecastle 62 will be open.

Pre-booking is essential.

Tickets are £11.50, under 1s free.

Book here – Walby Farm Park | BONFIRE BONANZA 2025

Enjoy all the fun of the farm whatever the weather

As well as all the great events above, Walby Farm Park is a great all weather attraction. Perfect for the autumn and winter when the weather can be unpredictable.

Children riding in barrel carts pulled by a farm vehicle across a grassy field at Walby Farm Park, with large white “Walby Farm Park” letters in the background.

There are lots of animals to see in both outdoor paddocks and the animal barn

The indoor adventure play barn is fun for all ages, with a dedicated area for little ones, and the 24-foot Demon Drop Slide (for daring adults as well as children!). Milecastle 62, is a three-level Roman fort undercover play area. There are walls to climb as well as ropes and ramps as well as slides and poles to slide down. There is even an under 3s area and a fully accessible ramp to the main structure.