Pick a pumpkin.
Collect a free pumpkin from our Ampthill office from 20 October, while stocks last. There’s optional Haribo for those with a sweet tooth, too.
Pumpkin
Competition
Is officially back!
Pick up a free pumpkin and a Haribo treat.
Carve something brilliant. Show us your spooky side.
Free entry for UK residents. Under-18s need parental permission.
Bring your own pumpkin, or collect free from 20 October while stocks last.
Pumpkins from 20 October Collect in Ampthill50% public · 50% judges A shared say in the winnersWinners: 31 October, 6pm Voting closes at 4pm
Why we are doing things differently
Back with
clearer rules.
In previous years, we received complaints about voting, including concerns about “Like for Like” groups. The competition was referred to a competition watchdog, and we chose to stop running it.
We are bringing it back this year with clearer rules, checks on public engagement, and equal points available from social voting and our judging panel. The aim is to keep the competition fun, fair and welcoming for everyone.
Genuine support and ordinary sharing are welcome. Vote exchanges, bought engagement, fake accounts and bots are prohibited.
01 / Get your pumpkin on
Ready, steady,
get spooky.
Your pumpkin can come from us, your garden or your local shop. The idea is yours.
Make it yours.
Carve it, paint it or decorate it. Family creations and help from a grown-up are welcome. Make something that’s your own.
Take your shot.
Use our online entry form to upload one clear photo of each distinct pumpkin. Under-18s can enter with parent or guardian permission.
Share the magic.
We’ll review entries before posting them on Facebook and Instagram. Reactions on your official Facebook photo and hearts on your official Instagram post count towards the public vote.
A pumpkin, on us
Pop in.
Pick yours up.
The Old School House66 Bedford Street
Ampthill MK45 2NB
Collection starts Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Monday–Friday08:30–18:00
Saturday09:00–16:00
SundayClosed
Pumpkins and sealed Haribo packets are available while stocks last. Check the packet for ingredients and allergens. You don’t need to collect anything to enter.
02 / A treat for the winners
Frightfully
good prizes.
Each entrant can win one prize. Multiple distinct pumpkin entries are welcome.
£250 voucher
Or an Apple Watch Series 11, 42mm, black.
Or one year’s ZSL family membership for 1 adult and up to 4 children.
£100 voucher
Choose Smyths, The Entertainer or John Lewis.
£50 voucher
Choose Smyths, The Entertainer or John Lewis.
Voucher winners choose Smyths, The Entertainer or John Lewis. First prize is a choice of one of the three options shown. Winners have 14 days to respond; prizes are supplied within 30 days of voting closing. Full prize details.
How the winners are chosen
Your votes.
Our panel.
Equal points.
We add valid Facebook reactions and Instagram hearts for each pumpkin to create the public ranking. First, second and third earn 3, 2 and 1 points.
Our 14 judges — 13 Orchards staff plus Karen — each submit one equal top-three ballot. Together, their votes create the panel ranking, awarding the same 3, 2 and 1 points. Add the two sides together for a final score out of 6.
50%Facebook + Instagram ranking
50%Orchards panel ranking
Every pumpkin is scored separately. An entrant can win one prize; any further prize places for that entrant are skipped.
Only reactions and hearts on the designated original Orchards entry posts count. Comments, shares, story responses and engagement on reposts do not.
See how the points add up.
Illustrative entries only. Change the Facebook reactions, Instagram hearts or panel places to try the scoring. Scroll the table sideways on a small screen.
| Example | Panel place | Facebook reactions | Instagram hearts | Social points | Total / 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin A | 1 | 4 | |||
| Pumpkin B | 3 | 5 | |||
| Pumpkin C | 2 | 3 | |||
| Pumpkin D | 0 | 0 |
Social total: valid Facebook reactions + valid Instagram hearts. That total determines the public placing and its 3, 2 or 1 points.
Pumpkin B leads this example with 5 points out of 6.
Equal social totals share the points for their place; the next place skips the tied positions (for example, joint first, joint first, third). Zero engagement earns zero social points. A combined-score tie favours the higher panel placing, then Karen applies the published judging criteria if needed.
A Halloween finish
The Halloween
countdown.
- Photo entries openNow
- Free pumpkin collection starts20 October
- Photo uploads close31 October, noon
- Public voting closes31 October, 4pm
- Winners announced31 October, 6pm
All dates are in 2026; times are UK local time. Approved entries will be published on a rolling basis. Earlier entries will have longer to receive reactions and hearts. Photo uploads and parental confirmations close at noon on 31 October. Photo entries opened on 15 October 2026. Adam Barker reviews entries and confirms parental permission before posting.
Show us your pumpkin!
Send your photo through the Orchards pumpkin entry form. Photo submissions close at noon on 31 October.
Upload your pumpkinOpens our Jotform entry form in a new tab.
Read the competition rulesDoes my pumpkin have to come from Orchards?
No. You can collect from us while stocks last, or enter your own pumpkin. Collection, purchases and using Orchards services are not conditions of entry.
Can I enter more than one pumpkin?
Yes. There is no numerical entry limit. Each entry must show a different physical pumpkin, with one official photo per pumpkin. Each entrant can win a maximum of one prize.
Can I ask friends and family to vote?
Yes. Genuine unpaid support and ordinary sharing are welcome on Facebook and Instagram. Bought reactions or hearts, fake accounts, bots, incentives and vote-exchange or “Like for Like” arrangements are prohibited.
Will Instagram hearts count?
Yes. We add valid reactions on your designated Orchards Facebook photo to valid hearts on your designated Orchards Instagram post. That combined total determines the public ranking. A genuine person may support an entry once on each platform; both count.
Who can see my entry photo?
Approved pumpkin photos and entry numbers are posted publicly on our Facebook and Instagram pages. They may remain online indefinitely as a record of the competition. Entrants’ full names and contact details stay private. See our privacy notice for your rights.
Can children enter?
Yes, with parental permission. A parent or guardian must confirm permission before publication and complete the form on behalf of an entrant under 13. Please photograph the pumpkin only, without identifiable people.