Spooky season is finally here which means it’s time to start decorating your house with adorable little ghosts and terrifying zombies.

One of the most popular Halloween activities that’s fun for all the family is carving a pumpkin.

Although they can be messy (and often smelly), once lit with a candle they can provide a cosy ambience through carved-out silhouettes of your favourite TV characters or scary faces.

If you fancy exploring further than the supermarkets in Darlington this year to find the best in a pile, why not head out to a pumpkin patch near you?

Here are some that are only an hour's drive away from the town.

Pumpkin patches only an hour away from Darlington

Spilman's Cafe, Pick Your Own Pumpkins and Farm Shop

Location: Church Farm, Thirsk, YO7 3NB

There will be around 125,000 pumpkins as well as white pumpkins, which have been grown on the family-run farm.

You will need to book a ticket, however upon doing so you will receive a £5 credit voucher per person on arrival to spend on pumpkins or activities, according to the Spilmans website.

The farm is open from 9am until 5.30pm and the pumpkin patch will be open on weekends this month until October 31.

Book your tickets here.

Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch

Location: Hawthorn Dene, Seaham, SR7 8SW

No booking is required here and they take both cash and card payments.

The pumpkin patch is open 10am until 4pm every weekend this month and will also be open for a full week from October 23 until 31 at the same time.

You can find out more information on their Facebook page.

East Grange Pumpkin Patch

Location: East Grange Farm, High Shincliffe, Durham DH1 2TB

Tickets will be required to visit this pumpkin patch in Durham and can be purchased online here.

The patch will be open on October 7 and 8, 14 and 15 and then from October 18 onwards.

On the East Grange website, it says: “Please check our Facebook for more up-to-date information as this can change depending on the weather and parking availability.

“We grow all the pumpkins we sell so we may have to close before the 31st if we run out of pumpkins.”

The Northern Echo:

Tweddle Farm

Location: Filipoke Lane, Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool, TS27 4BT

The pumpkin patch at Tweddle Farm will be open on October 14, 15, 21, 22 as well as October 28 until November 5.

The website says: “Join us at the North East’s most loved Pumpkin Patch! Filled with garden games, face painting, funfair rides, photo opportunities and more! Our patch is bursting with all kinds of shapes, colours & sizes! Choose your favourite to take home and carve.

“Your ticket includes farm and pumpkin patch entry. Please note, tickets do not include pumpkins. Please add your desired amount before checking out.”

Find out more information and book tickets here.

Newham Grange Farm

Location: Wykeham Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, TS8 0TG

Halloween fun including pumpkin picking at Newham Grange Farm will run on weekends from October 14 until 29 and October 30 and 31.

There will also be pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, a spooky trail and prizes for best Halloween outfits.

Normal farm admission applies and if visiting the pumpkin patch, it costs £3.50 per pumpkin.

Tickets can be booked online here and are also available from the welcome desk upon arrival (subject to availability).

Animal Fun Farm

Location: Stoneygate Lane, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8JG

Halloween week begins at Animal Fun Farm from October 21 until 29, 10am-4pm - book your tickets on the Down at the Farm website here.

There will also be a ghost barrel train and scarecrow-making among many other activities.

You can even carve your pumpkin on the farm, make your way through the haunted barn and meet all the animals.

When planning your day out to any of the pumpkin patches listed above, please visit their websites for the latest opening times, availability and other information.