Thousands Of Home-Grown Pumpkins Transformed Into Giant Clifton Suspension Bridge Mosaic

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm celebrates its biggest ever pumpkin harvest with a spectacular tribute to one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks.

Thousands of home-grown pumpkins and gourds have been transformed into a spectacular giant mosaic of the Clifton Suspension Bridge at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, marking the start of this year’s Pumpkinfest.

The colourful artwork has been created using pumpkins from the Zoo’s biggest harvest to date, with over 20,000 pumpkins and gourds grown across more than 30 varieties.

Located just a few miles from the iconic Bristol landmark, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has chosen the Clifton Suspension Bridge as the inspiration for this year’s mosaic, bringing together pumpkins in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours to recreate the instantly recognisable landmark.

The artwork continues the Zoo’s annual pumpkin mosaic tradition. Last year, thousands of pumpkins were used to create a giant elephant design, celebrating the important role elephants play in the Zoo’s unusual ‘poo-to-pumpkin’ story.

The pumpkin harvest has its roots in an unexpected discovery seven years ago, when the Zoo’s bachelor group of African elephants enjoyed pumpkins as part of their seasonal enrichment. The following year, pumpkins were spotted growing on the elephant muck heap, thanks to the nutrient-rich natural fertiliser.

What started as a surprise crop has since developed into an annual pumpkin-growing tradition, with the Zoo now producing thousands of pumpkins each year.

Larry Bush, Director of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said:

“Once we saw pumpkins thriving on the muck heap, we realised we were onto something special. Seven years later, it has grown into an annual highlight for our team and visitors.

“Despite the dry summer this year, our elephants’ natural fertiliser has helped us achieve our biggest harvest yet, with around 20,000 pumpkins and gourds grown across more than 30 varieties.

“Choosing the Clifton Suspension Bridge for this year’s mosaic felt like a great way to celebrate a landmark that is so closely connected to the region. It’s been fantastic to see the different colours, shapes and sizes of pumpkins come together to create something that people will instantly recognise.”

The pumpkin harvest, including those used in the mosaic, is now being put to good use as Pumpkinfest gets underway at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm from 19th September to 1st November.

Visitors can choose their own pumpkin from the Zoo’s free-to-enter, family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible pumpkin patch at the Farm Shop, alongside autumnal displays and plenty of seasonal photo opportunities.

Families visiting the Zoo can also take part in the ‘Poo at the Zoo: Number 2’ Dung Detectives trail, discovering the important role dung plays in nature and how elephant poo helps the Zoo grow its pumpkins.

Pumpkinfest runs from 19th September to 1st November, giving families plenty of opportunity to enjoy an autumnal day out at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and pick their perfect pumpkin along the way.