Organisers of ‘depressing’ pumpkin patch hit out after gobsmacked Halloween visitors compare it to Wonka experience

A family-run pumpkin patch has been dubbed ‘depressing’ and compared to the infamous Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow.

Some visitors at the Suffolk Pumpkin Patch have returned their own reviews of their trips, in which one attendee said there were ‘questionable’ decorations ‘falling apart’.

Another meanwhile said the magic ‘ended at a few photo props’. A comment on Facebook said they ‘left after 40 minutes’.

The event organisers, however, have said they are up against rising costs and are ‘pleased’ with their event, adding that they are ‘only human’ and have had mainly positive reviews from visitors.

A skeleton figure and a game of connect four was seen plonked amid ‘sparsely scattered pumpkins’ in a field, along with a view of the dual carriageway, one visitor claimed in social media footage.

In a video posted by @alexdodman, he described it as the UK’s ‘most depressing’ pumpkin patch, adding that it had ‘Glasgow Willy Wonka vibes’, claiming it cost £19.52 for a family of five.

That infamous Willy Wonka experience quickly went viral back in 2024, with furious parents even calling in the police over the ‘shambles’ event.

“A real review of the UK’s most depressing pumpkin patch,” Alex is heard saying in the Instagram clip. “These things seem to be everywhere now, and they’re either your authentic family-run pumpkin farm, or they’re a ‘let’s chuck a load of pumpkins in a field’.

“But anyway, Glasgow Willy Wonka vibes aside, this is Suffolk’s Pumpkin Patch in Barton Mills.

“As you enter this place, you walk up past the food stalls into the fairground area before you can then go into the pumpkin patch.

“You’ve got to book tickets, and to be honest, it wasn’t too bad at £19.52 for a family of five… when I think about it, I’ve just paid £19.52 to walk into a field with sparsely scattered pumpkins.”

The organisers have argued that only the pumpkin patch itself has an entry free, with the rest of the attraction free. They said the rides were capped between £3 and £6 per person.

He went on to describe ‘questionable Halloween decor’ that has ‘nothing to do with Halloween’, before panning to a bizarre tiger statue and a ‘half Christmas half Halloween with a dead rat in an open shed backdrop thing’ to have snaps next to.

“But anyway after you pay for your pumpkins that are a fiver a pop, you can go and enjoy the rides and the food vans,” he added, going on to claim it was ‘nine quid’ for three children to go on one of the rides.

“To be honest, this one’s probably actually on the cheaper side to some of the other ones I’ve seen out there. This isn’t just aimed at this place.”

He went on to praise the staff, adding that he felt the issues with the site are likely due to surging organisation costs of events and vendors.

“I can’t even knock who’s decided to put this place on,” he added. “The people who worked here are actually great.

“We all know trying to organise something like this would cost a bomb. Food van rates are through the roof. Businesses are struggling and the tax man will want his cut and the prices of these places reflect it.

“To be honest, I don’t blame the organisers or the vendors. It goes deeper than that.”

Another user said the ‘magic ended’ at a ‘few cute photo props’. Others described it as ‘bleak’ and ‘depressing’ in a flurry of comments, as another user added: “This is really sad. Surely they can’t be happy with that?”

However, other people had a different experience, with one Facebook user writing about their visit: “Considering there were four adults and four children I was pleasantly surprised at just over £30 for everyone. A great afternoon out, the kids loved it.”

Another attendee wrote: “My family had an amazing time there. I even said to one of the ride owners there should be a Christmas one.”

Pumpkin patch responds to comments

LADbible contacted the family-run event for comment, to which a spokesperson said they have had ‘only a small amount of bad feedback’ on the event.

They cited that ride owners had been capped on prices and that they are ‘pleased’ with what they have achieved, especially due to rising cost pressures.

“Here at Suffolk Pumpkin Patch we have had a lot of good feedback and only a small amount of bad over the last two weeks,” they explained.

“We are the only pumpkin patch in the East Anglian area with a 44-metre observation wheel, the family favourite dodgems and the waltzers. Also small kiddies rides and attractions which we have capped the ride owners to charge between £3 to £6 for, which is good value for money compared to a lot of places.

“We have tried our very hardest to keep costs low, but with the rising cost of living and fuel we are finding things hard, but we are pleased with what we have achieved this year being our first year.

“We are a small family of three, and the guy in question is comparing us to large-scale events that have been going ten years plus.

“Any suggestions we have taken onboard and we guarantee to come back bigger and better next year, hopefully if fuel and everything comes down in price.

“The entry to the street food village and fair is free, there’s loads of Halloween props and decorations in that area. If you’re on a budget, just come and soak up the autumn atmosphere for free in that area.

“The only entry fee is for the pumpkin patch area, which is to cover the cost of entertainment on the weekends and all of next week. The money goes towards staff manning the area, security at night, hire of the fencing, the diesel generators running 24 hours a day and to replace the broken pumpkins daily.

“At the end of the day we are only humans. We open again this weekend weather depending so please check our Facebook page for updates and special announcements.”

And in a recent social media post, the event claimed that people had been ‘deliberately smashing pumpkins’ as the organisers issued a desperate plea.

“We aren’t a big company with endless amounts of money,” they said. “People often only see the finished pumpkin patch, but what they don’t see is the countless hours of work behind the scenes, the early mornings, the late nights and the financial commitment it takes to make all of this happen.

“Every single pumpkin has cost us money. Every display has cost us money. Every decoration has been bought, made or put together with care.

“We know that days out can be expensive for families, and as a family ourselves, we completely understand that. We try so hard to make our pumpkin patch a lovely, affordable experience that everyone can enjoy.

“But unfortunately, we still have bills to pay, pumpkins to replace, displays to maintain and a business to keep running.”