Meet Pete and Sophie Davey
We’re Pete and Sophie Davey, and we live on our family farm in Rogate with our three children—who, much like our pumpkins, range from munchkin size to monster-sized fun!
We have grown pumpkins on our farm for over 15 years. Soon after, we decided to grow our first Patch in a small corner of the field and invite people to pick their favourite pumpkin.
The very first morning we opened we started at 4am with hot chocolate carried down in big thermal flasks from the farm to keep the pumpkin pickers happy and warm.
You came, and you supported us all those years ago, and many of you have returned year after year. As Rogate pumpkin Patch has grown, so have your families. We love seeing new faces each year, and those who have been coming to The Patch from the start.
Each June, we plant many varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Come September, our pumpkins are handpicked—yes, one by one—from our fields and carefully stored. That’s when the magic begins.
Throughout the year, our happy herd of cattle graze the fields. But for a few special weeks in autumn, the fields are transformed into our pumpkin-themed outdoor experience -Rogate Pumpkin Patch’—a celebration of autumn, family, and imagination. Then, almost as quickly as it appeared, The Patch disappears. The cattle return, and we’re left wondering… was it all a dream?
In addition to our autumn event, we also supply pumpkins to wholesale and retail distributors across the UK, sharing a little piece of the Patch far and wide.
Whether you’re visiting our fields or stocking your shelves, we’re so glad to share a bit of our magic with you.
Meet the team
Our event is lovingly brought to life by a local team of friends, family and talented creatives, who reuse and recycle materials to build every attraction and installation from scratch. From concept to creation, each scene is dreamt up and handcrafted in storage lock-ups right here on the farm.
Our ethos is simple: To create a joyful day out for all ages, full of wonder and magic!
Creative Team
Our creative team gather and recycle old materials. They conjure up new magical installations by bringing these discarded items back to life, reimagining them with careful restoration and unique transformations throughout the year.
The Artists
Our super-talented artists use their unrivalled hocus pocus to create all the signage and amazing details which set our Pumpkin Patch apart from other events and make it such fun.
Event Team
Our amazing team of helpers make sure that everything runs smoothly on the day. They are the faces who welcome you and ensure that your day is as magical and enchanting as you hoped.
Production Team
The event takes months to plan and build. The team carefully organise the build of each themed attraction and area so they are perfectly staged for your visit.
Pumpkin Sellers
Our pumpkin sellers are hugely knowledgeable and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about all the squashes to ensure you choose the right pumpkins.
Wheelbarrow Warriors
We have plenty of wheelbarrows on site for you to fill and transport from the Patch to your car. Our Wheelbarrow Warriors are there to help and support you on the day and help keep the site tidy and looking spick and span for your visit.
Established in 1923 by Bill (William) Davey, Slade Farm is a third-generation, family-run farm nestled in the South Downs in Rogate, on the borders of Hampshire and West Sussex.
In 2007, we introduced Slade Farm Pumpkins and we are now one of the leading suppliers of pumpkins throughout the UK to wholesale and retail distributors. We supply anywhere in the UK. Here on our farm, we grow asparagus, sweetcorn, pumpkins, maize, and cereals. In addition, our herds of beef cattle are reared in the most natural and sustainable way possible.
Working with nature
As custodians of 2,000 acres of farmland, we are committed to looking after every acre so it not only meets the needs of today but for future generations which means favouring techniques that emulate and support nature.
Every year we plant sections of our fields with Phaecelia, a pollinator friendly plant which creates a nectar rich haven for butterflies, hoverflies and bees and this year they have absolutely loved it! It’s also a green manure that naturally improves the soil and prevents nitrogen degradation. It’s all part of our regenerative farming programme here on Slade Farm.
