We visited new pumpkins by torchlight and silent disco event at Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, and this is what we thought

As dusk fell on a field near Bury St Edmunds on Saturday, I was venturing into the unknown.

In a first for the popular Rougham Pumpkins attraction – now in its fourth year – visitors were welcomed to ‘pumpkins by torchlight’ and a silent disco on Saturday evening.

With pumpkin patches being a perennial favourite in our family in the run up to Hallowe’en, I popped the event in my diary before inviting my friend and former colleague Laura (to keep me company) and young neighbour Ruby (to keep my eight-year-old daughter Clara company).

Entry to the patch was free with no need to book, however I did pre-book the silent disco, with headests costing £5 for adults and free for children.

On arrival to the patch we were greeted with wide Suffolk skies, fluffy pink clouds and an unusually quiet field… but appearances can be deceptive.

We soon discovered ‘the place to be’ was a marquee in the far corner, housing not only Wrights café but a disco ball, flashing lights, two DJs and a dancefloor surrounded by hay bales, crammed with youngsters bopping to the silent sounds.

Our next stop was to join a short queue to pick up silent disco headsets, some free glow sticks and follow the verbal instructions on how to select between two channels of music: the blue channel being home to more retro beats (think Kool and the Gang and a hefty dose of disco) and red, playing more up to date vibes.

As we adjusted our headsets, it was great fun to watch and see others dancing to completely different soundtracks – but all having a good time.

The only sounds to be heard were of boppers getting carried away by the music and singing out loud to their playlist, or people occasionally shouting to one another (rather than turning down the volume).

As night fell, we ventured outside to see the twinkling lights illuminating the patch’s attractions – which included firepits for toasting s’mores as a special evening-only activity.

Obviously, the girls were keen to make the gooey treats, so we bought two s’mores kits (£3.50 each) and set about spearing marshmallows on sticks ready for toasting.

Alas, it was a bit too hot for the youngsters so I braved the firepits to get two s’mores in their hands. Both were swiftly rejected as they ran off to climb the giant haystacks, so Laura and I indulged in the sticky treats.

When booking the event, I thought the silent disco would be a novelty and the headsets ditched before a run around the pumpkin patch and a return home after about an hour. I could not have been more wrong.

The headsets remained glued to our ears for the duration. They not only worked in the tent, but while toasting those s’mores, climbing the giant haystack, racing the pedal tractors and hunting the patch by torchlight for the perfect pumpkin.

Then, deeper into the evening, with temperatures plummeting, they doubled up as ear warmers.

After three hours we finally returned home – fingers and toes a little chilly but overall, buzzing.

It’s the first time I have been to a disco wearing Wellington boots and a puffer coat. I do hope it’s not the last.

Pumpkins by torchlight and silent disco returns on October 26. Pre-booked headsets have sold out, but don’t let that deter you as returns will be available on the night.

Entry to the patch and car parking is free - just don’t forget your wellies and torches.

Find Rougham Pumpkins just north of junction 45 of the A14.