Pumpkinpalooza!: how the world’s biggest pumpkin record fell twice in one week - Guinness World Records

This seismic squash was just certified as the largest ever grown by a man at a recent British competition. When volunteers at the Wargrave Nursery Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off finally hoisted the specimen onto the scale, the reading was simply incredible—2,856.8lbs (1,295.8kg)

Plant nursery owner and veteran gourd grower Ian Paton, from Hampshire, UK, is back smashing pumpkins, or at least pumpkin records, once again. A year after he and his twin brother, Stuart, became the first British holders of the heaviest pumpkin title in recorded history, Ian has worked tirelessly to ensure his pumpkin patch continues to flourish, which means he has now raised the bar even higher.

6 October 2026Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of EnglandIan PatonIan Paton, from Lymington, grew the pumpkin over about four monthsA pumpkin grower has set a new world record after producing a giant squash. Ian Paton, from Lymington, Hampshire, entered his exceptionally large specimen into a giant vegetable weigh-off near Reading in Berkshire. It weighed 2,856.8lbs (1,295.8kg), has circumference of over 20ft (6m) and was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records judge, Sebastian Suski. Paton said growing the pumpkin named Bagheera, tending to it for up to six hours and providing about 130 gallons of water daily, had been "bloody hard work". It was the first time the 65-year-old, who has grown giant pumpkins with his twin brother Stuart for over 50 years, had entered the competition on his own. Sebastian SuskiPaton said he spent about spent up to six hours a day tending the pumpkin that needed about 130 gallons of water dailyThe pumpkin is now on show at Sunnyfields farm near Southampton, where it will be displayed for the next few weeks. Paton said the pumpkin would later be used as feed for cows. More on this storyRelated internet links