Pumpkins light the way for new trail
Anyone who has been in or near a supermarket in the last few weeks will have already seen their fair share of pumpkins… whether real or otherwise.
Who knew we needed a pumpkin Russian doll in our lives or (I kid you not), a pumpkin-shaped disco ball?1
But down at Auckland Castle, they’re doing something rather lovely with the pumpkin theme - launching a light trail designed to “celebrate the change of seasons and the arrival of autumn” - and presumably get on board the ghostly Hallowe’en gravy train too.
Launching this weekend (October 4), visitors are invited to follow a trail featuring 600 hand-carved pumpkins on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings - and nightly from October 28-31.
Featuring a range of themes and designs, there will also be hundreds of chrysanthemums and decorative gourds peppering the newly renovated gardens of the Castle.
Meanwhile additional scarecrows and themed pumpkins will also be on display - the result of work with local schools and businesses - and there are also hay bales and other autumnal flourishes offering any number of photo opportunities alongside food and drink options to keep everyone warm.
Jared Bowers, chief operating officer at The Auckland Project, said: “Autumn is a season of beautiful colours, golden light, warming food and drink and embracing the darker and cooler evenings.
“The initial reaction to Pumpkin Forest from our preview evening has been wonderful and it’s been great to see families dressed up in their winter coats enjoying the great outdoors and exploring the trail.”
The trail, which is open from 6pm to 8pm, takes around 30 mins to complete. Tickets are £15 for adults and £11 for children under 16. Under threes and carers go free and there are family ticket options too.
For more information and bookings, visit The Auckland Project website.
Of course we don’t need them AT ALL, but this is how the consumer-facing world fills in the gap between bikinis and paddling pools and Christmas in 2024.