Forest Farm Shop is a long-established, family-run farm shop and garden centre on Forest Road at Hainault, on the Ilford side of north-east London, opposite Fairlop Waters. It is worth being clear up front: this is a fresh-produce shop that sells seasonal pumpkins and squashes each autumn, rather than a pick-your-own pumpkin field. For quality local pumpkins to carve or cook without a drive into the countryside, it is a handy option close to Barkingside and Fairlop.
About Forest Farm Shop
Forest Farm Shop is an independent, family-run shop and garden centre run by the Loveman family, whose background is more than fifty years in the wholesale fruit and vegetable trade. Fresh produce comes in daily, and the shop sells plenty besides: a butchery counter (run with The Bearded Butcher), bakery, dairy and frozen goods, household items, and a garden centre with plants, compost and tools. It is a genuine neighbourhood food shop rather than a day-out attraction, and it also runs a popular Santa’s grotto in December.
Pumpkins at Forest Farm Shop
Each autumn the shop stocks pumpkins and squashes as part of its seasonal fruit and veg range, so you can choose a carving pumpkin or a cooking squash in the run-up to Halloween. There is no pick-your-own field here; you pick from the pumpkins on display and buy them in the shop. For families who just want a good pumpkin without booking a farm visit, it does the job nicely. If you specifically want to pick your own from a field, you will find pick-your-own patches elsewhere in our London and Essex listings.
Opening Times & Prices
The shop’s general opening hours are Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 5pm, and Sunday and bank holidays 9:30am to 3pm. Pumpkins appear on the shelves in the weeks before Halloween. Pumpkin prices for the coming season had not been published at the time of writing, so it is best to check nearer October; as a produce shop, pumpkins are simply priced individually by size.
Getting There & Visitor Information
- Location: Forest Road, Hainault, Ilford, IG6 3HQ, opposite Fairlop Waters.
- By car: on-site parking, including disabled bays; staff can help carry heavy bags to your car.
- By public transport: about 400 yards from Fairlop station (Central line); bus route 462 stops outside.
- On site: farm shop, butchery, bakery and garden centre.
Contact
Address: Forest Road, Hainault, Ilford, IG6 3HQ
Phone: +44 20 8500 2221
Email: enquiries@forestfarmshop.com
Website: forestfarmshop.com
Facebook: @forestfarmshop
Instagram: @forestfarmshop
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest Farm Shop pick your own?
No. It is a farm shop that sells pumpkins and squashes as part of its seasonal produce, not a pick-your-own field. You choose from the pumpkins in the shop and pay at the counter.
When can I buy pumpkins there?
Pumpkins appear in the weeks leading up to Halloween, through October. Exact stock and prices for the new season are best checked on the shop’s Instagram or by phone closer to the time.
How do I get there without a car?
The shop is about 400 yards from Fairlop station on the Central line, and bus route 462 stops right outside. It sits on Forest Road opposite Fairlop Waters.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is on-site parking including disabled bays, and staff can help carry heavy bags to your car.
More pumpkin picking nearby
Cooking your pumpkin? Try Best Pumpkin Cookies Recipes for Home Cooks, How to Make an Amazing Pumpkin Risotto, Pumpkin Muffin Recipes to Make this Fall.