With the country slowly easing out of lockdown and families being allowed to go for days out, we are taking the opportunity to explore more outdoor adventures, last week we took our first visit to a Bluebell woods after missing out on a Snowdrop Walk this year, another adventure the children would like to discover is a Lavender Field.
Visiting Lavender fields in the UK has become a hugely popular past-time in recent years. I must admit to not being a huge fan of the fragrant purple plant, but I know that many are, so if you are wondering are there Lavender Fields near me read on to find out more.
Tips For Visiting The Lavender Fields
- With the English weather being so unpredictable and many of the Lavender fields being on farmland, it might be worth putting your wellies in the back of the car and ensuring you have sensible shoes on, to navigate the farm tracks.
- It is becoming a very popular day out, so expect it to be pretty busy during peak season, everyone will want that perfect instagram shot with nobody in the background, therefore its advisable to arrive as soon as the Lavender fields open, and if possible on a weekday, alternatively towards closing time, but then you run the risk of running out of time.
- One of Lavenders favourite visitors are bees, and although they would probably prefer to explore the Lavender, its always worth keeping an eye out for them, and be careful not to disturb their busy work, or you may risk getting stung, especially if you have younger members of the family with you.
Lavender Fields in London
When you think of London, I am sure, like me you conjure up pictures of famous landmarks and heavy traffic, so you’d be surpised to learn that there are quite a few places that you can find Lavender in the Capital.
Kew Gardens
Location : Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE – Nearest station Richmond
Famous for its gardens for centuries, this botanical beauty always has a stunning lavender season is always in full flow every year. Check out Kew’s Queen Gardens, the Mediterranean Garden, Dukes Garden and the Great Broad Walk Borders to get your full lavender fix. You may also be able to spot some in the Prince of Wales Conservatory.
Vauxhall Park
Location : 12 Lawn Lane, SW8 1UA. Nearest station Vauxhall
Vauxhall Park in South London is hidden away from the hustle and bustle hiding its violet sea of lavender. It is not the largest lavender field, but it offers a refreshing respite from the city, with its beautifully scented blooms. The lavender fields in Vauxhall Park are replaced every autumn with fresh beds. Once harvested, the bloom is sent to Carshalton lavender field where it is turned into lavender oil and sold locally on Bonnington Square and South lambert Market in order to fund the park.
Kennington Park
Location : Kennington Park Rd, SE11 4BE. Nearest station Oval.
You will find small but punchy lavender patches in Kennington park that have been planted there for generations. Sitting alongside the olive trees in the Mediterranean beds and surrounding the garden’s sundial you will most likely smell the lavender before you see them.
Lavender Fields Near Me
Lordington Lavender
Location : Lordington Farm, Chichester PO18 9DX
For one week only every year, Lordington Lavender farm opens its lavender fields to the public. Wander through the perfumed foliage – it’s all natural, with the pesticide-free crops drawing tons of wildlife including bees, butterflies and birds to the farm. Exit through the gift shop to grab some lavender goodies (soaps, oils, sprays) on your way out.
The Lordington Lavender Open Week TBC for 2023. The fields will be open from 10am to 4pm daily, tickets will be available to purchase on arrival.
Somerset Lavender
Location : Somerset Lavender, Horsepond Farm, Faulkland, Somerset, BA3 5WA
Wander at will through the Lavender Garden where they trial over 20 varieties of Lavender. In the Lavender Field, see over five acres of Lavender, walk through the field and absorb the sight of more than 50,000 Lavender plants with bees humming, collecting pollen to make the honey.
The healing garden is packed full of useful herbs from the commonplace to more unusual varieties: Thyme and Lemon Balm, Arnica and Echinacea to name only a few. Sit on the camomile seat and take in the wonderful scent. The Lavender Garden was planted in 2003 and the five-acre field in 2004. This year they will be planting another 5 acres of lavender, visit in the summer to find out more.
Open from Open May through September, Wednesday – Sunday 10AM – 5PM
Cotswold Lavender
Location : Hill Barn Farm, Snowshill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JY
Cotswold Lavender is easy to find in the outskirts of the village of Snowshill. Not far from the National Trust Property Snowshill Manor. Cotswold Lavender grow their Lavender as a crop – and just like any crop they have to harvest it – unfortunately when it’s at its peak! Harvest usually starts during the last week of July and continues until early August. They now have over 40 different varieties, some 140 miles of rows and over 500,000 plants in total.
Castle Farm Lavender
Location : Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7UB
The Lavender at Castle Farm starts to bloom in late June, and is harvested for precious oil in late July. Throughout the Lavender Season, they will once again be offering pre-booked Lavender Walks and Lavender Picnic events. Tickets for the Lavender field events will be released in mid-June ahead of the events.
LAVENDER WALKS – Enjoy a 45 minute stroll in the most iconic Lavender field. Take in the dramatic valley views from the top of the field, or get your annual Lavender Bench photo!
LAVENDER PICNICS- Enjoy 2 hours in the lovely Ladybird Lavender field with over 60,000 Lavender plants! Bring your own picnic and enjoy a memorable summers day, or evening event in a truly relaxing environment.
Hitchin Lavender
Location : Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin, Herts, SG5 3UA
Hitchin Lavender is home to 25 miles of lavender that visitors are free to walk among (and pick). Have lunch in the 17th-century barn or explore the farm’s museum. The lavender fields will re-open in June. Tickets to visit will be released soon
Norfolk Lavender
Location : Caley Mill, Lynn Road, Heacham, PE31 7JE.
Founded in 1932, Norfolk Lavender is England’s premier lavender farm, renowned worldwide, it has nearly 100 acres of lavender under cultivation. Norfolk Lavender is at the heart of the West Coast of Norfolk. You’ll find some of Britain’s most attractive countryside, a glorious coastline, and a rich, vibrant heritage.
Norfolk Lavender Tours – They are open all year round, with the summer season being the most vibrant when all of the lavenders burst into flower and the air is full of the relaxing fragrance. The lavender distillery can be viewed by the public and visitors can have a guide to show them about the distillation of lavender flowers to make oil for Norfolk Lavender’s world famous perfume and toiletry range.
Guided tours operate for most of the summer months, please call to check times and prices. There is a mini lavender field on site that is free to visit.
Yorkshire Lavender
Location : Terrington, York, YO60 6PB.
Yorkshire’s original family-run lavender farm, Lavender Gardens and Specialist Plant Nursery set in a spectacular hillside farm of nearly 60 acres, within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
With hundreds of different lavender and herbs for sale, EJ’s Tea Room to enjoy delicious food, Gift Shop selling their own lavender products using the oil distilled from the lavender grown on the farm, award-winning lavender gardens and sculpture park.
Mayfield Lavender
Location : 1 Carshalton Rd, Banstead SM7 3JA
A family run 25 acre Organic Lavender Farm in Surrey, less than 15 miles from London. The farm is open May-Sep. The Nursery is open Mon – Sun 9am-6pm
Mayfield lavender farm in Banstead will open in June and its expected that the flowers will bloom from mid/end of June to the mid/end of August, weather dependent.
Visitors are free to roam between the rows to explore and take photos – look out for the red London telephone box plonked inexplicably in the middle of the field like Doctor Who’s TARDIS. Taking a picnic isn’t allowed, but there is a café on site that serves lavender inspired treats (including a lavender cream tea) al fresco.
FAQs
Are Lavender Fields Open In 2023 ?
All of the Lavender fields listed are planning on opening for the 2023 season and with all of the Lavender Fields being outdoors, there doesn’t look to be any problems for this year.
When Are Lavender Fields in Bloom ?
Here in the UK Lavender will usually bloom between mid-June and mid-August but it may be weather dependent and each farm will have their own schedule. During a typical British summer, the lavender should be at its best throughout July, it may be worth checking out the Lavender Fields website and social media for recent photos to see how the Lavender is looking.
Where are Lavender Fields Located ?
The Lavender Fields listed are located in Banstead, York, Heacham, Hitchin, Sevenoaks, Worcestershire, Somerset, Chichester and London, these are the largest and most popular Lavender Fields within the UK, with some of them including Plant Centres, Cafes and Children’s Play areas, so if you are looking for a lavender farm near you, then one of these may be suitable.