The best lavender fields in the UK
Plus a new secret spot!
You’ve seen the Insta-perfect shots of people frolicking in purple fields, but visiting a lavender farm is quite literally a scent-sational way to spend a day. Beautiful, fragrant and unforgettable, you better be quick, as the season is short. Here’s the top spots to visit, plus one secret new one.
Mayfield Lavender Farm, Banstead, Surrey
One of the most famous lavender fields is in Banstead, around an hour from central London and as such, heavily photographed. The organic farm is on a 25-acre site and opens on June 14, although when the lavender blooms is weather-dependent. There’s a café and tractor ride, mayfieldlavender.com
NEW: Mayfield’s Secret Lavender Garden, Epsom, Surrey
This year, Mayfield is unveiling its brand-new Secret Lavender Garden, on its Epsom site. Opening on June 21, this intimate experience only allows 40 guests at a time to tour the fields. You can bring a picnic and even enjoy a sunset experience. Tickets are by timed entry and pre-booking is essential, mayfieldlavender.com
Castle Farm, Shoreham, Kent
In Kent, you’ll find Castle Farm in Shoreham, near Sevenoaks. This 1,100-acre farm is famous for its lavender fields and you can take walks or picnics through the blooms. You can book a guided tour, or other experiences, from late June to late July, castlefarmkent.co.uk
Cotswold Lavender, Snowshill, Worcestershire
The Cotswolds are absolutely beautiful and Snowshill one of its most gorgeous villages, so it’s hard to believe it can look even better, but if you visit from late June, you can see a sea of purple at Cotswold Lavender, high on a hill, overlooking Broadway. Open from June 18, cotswoldlavender.co.uk
Norfolk Lavender, Heacham, Norfolk
England’s most famous lavender farm is in Heacham, Norfolk. Founded in 1932, I remember visiting when I was a child and it’s still going strong. As well as the fields, there’s a farm shop, oil distillery, nursery and tea room. It’s open all year, norfolk-lavender.co.uk
Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire
With a decent 25 years of growing, Hitchin Lavender is a spectacular farm in Hertfordshire. As well as the lavender fields, there are wildflower meadows, a sunflower field, tea room and museum. It’s open from June 28, hitchinlavender.com
Lordington Lavender, Chichester, West Sussex
Blink and you’ll miss the open season at West Sussex’s beautiful Lordington Lavender. This year it’s between July 16 – 20. But if you make it, you can see the stunning lavender fields, plus enjoy cakes and refreshments, a gift and plant sale. There will also be daily talks with founder Andrew Elms, lordingtonlavender.co.uk
The Travel List
The best time to see lavender fields in bloom is late-June to August, with July being peak-season.
You may not get to see the full bloom when you visit, but most sites also have tea rooms, gift shops, distilleries and more.
Inspired to see more? The lavender fields of Provence, in the south of France, are famous and bloom slightly earlier, from May, to early August, provence-alpes-cotedazur.com