Nothing says summer more than the gentle hum of fat, golden bumblebees and the soothing scent of lavender blooms. Fragrant lavender is in full bloom during July and August, so these are the best months to dig out your camera and get snap happy among the purple blooms. This is the ideal time to capture those summer vibes with a visit to a lavender farm, and if you go yearly, you’ll also collect lifelong memories of the family as they grow.
There are plenty of gorgeous purple fields to enjoy across the UK, and most of them have wised up to the volume of visiting families, providing lavender-themed refreshments, tractor rides and playgrounds. This purple flower has also got to be the go-to choice for parents – it’s calming, alleviates stress and anxiety and helps send you off into a land of slumber. Double win. Who needs Provence? Here’s a round-up of all the places where you can find some lavender love in the UK.
Lavender fields in summer
Lavender fields in the Southwest
Cotswold Lavender
There are mega fields here of purple paradise, with over 40 varieties of lavender grown over 140 miles of rows. Not much else for families but there is another gorgeous wildflower field to enjoy.
Hill Barn Farm, Snow Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JY.
Daily 10am to 5pm from June to August.
£4 for adults £2 for children over 5.
Somerset Lavender
Somerset lavender hosts a garden and lavender fields. There’s a willow tunnel for littleys to run under and explore, a nursery, cafe and shop.
Horsepond Farm, Faulkland, Somerset BA3 5WA.
May to September, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Free entry.
Lavender Fields, Hampshire
This Hampshire farm is worth keeping an eye on for its open days as they put on a fab day with tractor rides, talks on lavender, willow weaving demos, and cream teas served in the farmhouse cafe. Sometimes Tractor Ted even makes an appearance.
Hartley Park Farm, Selborne Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HP.
Open only on open days (see website for details).
£4 for adults. Children go free.
New Forest Lavender
There’s a wholesome cafe here which serves family lunches and cake, a colourful plant nursery as well as an idyllic country cottage garden and of course the lavender fields.
New Forest Lavender, Giles Lane, Landford, Salisbury,SP5 2BG.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4:30pm
Free entry.
Jersey Lavender
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There’s a peaceful cafe and garden here with swings for kids plus a discovery nature trail. Jersey Lavender Farm also opens its doors to its distillery at certain times of the year to show visitors how lavender oil is extracted, distilled and made into products.
Rue du Pont Marquet, St Brelade, Jersey, JE3 8DS.
Open May to September Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.
From £3.20 for adults. Children go free.
Lavender fields in the Southeast and London
Lordington Lavender, Chichester
Only open one week of the year, sadly we’ve missed this year’s event. However you can expect a fun tractor ride up the fields.
Lordington Farm, Lordington, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9DX.
Open one week of the year 10am to 4pm.
£6 entry.
Mayfield Lavender, Surrey
This farm has a tractor ride around the perimeter of the farm, plus some whimsical objects (like a red phone box) placed in the field, which kids might find funny. Mayfield Lavender is popular with Londoners as its only a hop and a skip from the capital. Who would have thought? Because of that it’s often busy, especially at weekends so get here early.
1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, SM7 3JA
Open daily June to September 9am to 6pm
Cars £2
Carlshalton Lavender
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Just down the road from Mayfield Lavender Farm is this tiny farm which only opens certain day of the year for families to come and pick their own lavender. On these open days there will also be face painting, butterfly counts and lavender craft activities. This area of Surrey used to be famous for its lavender production just over 100 years ago, and even helped Yardley establish its reputation. This farm is a volunteer-led community enterprise and well worth supporting.
Stanley Road Allotments, Oaks Way, Carshalton Beeches, Surrey, SM5 4NQ
Only open a few days of the year for harvest (28-29th July in 2018)
Free entry
Castle Farm, Kent
This farm and hopshop offers summer picnics (which sell out fast), tours and even lavender massages available to have in the field (best leave the kids at home for this one). There’s a bench in the lavender field for photo opps.
Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7UB
Open daily all year round Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm
Free entry. Lavender tours £5
Vauxhall Park, London
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Not quite a farm, but lavender blooms in the garden nonetheless. And the good news for families is there’s also a playground, orchard, model village, cafe and chess sets. Talk about a hidden gem in a very urban part of our capital! The park often hosts small fetes with pimms, games and food too.
12 Lawn Ln, London SW8 1UA
Open daily all year round from 7:30am to 15 minutes before sunset.
Free entry.
Lavender fields in the East and Midlands
Shropshire Lavender
Relax in the gardens, explore the orchards, which have a wider variety of lavender growing across the season, or wander the iconic rows of mauve. Shop and cafe also available.
Wellbank Farm, Pickstock Newport, Shropshire TF10 8AH.
Open Friday to Sunday from 16 June until 27 August 2018.
Free entry.
Norfolk Lavender
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Norfolk Lavender boasts itself as ‘England’s premier lavender farm’, and with over 100 acres of beautiful lilac we can see why. There’s heaps to do here for the family too including an animal garden with cute and creepy critters , herb garden and plant centre, tea room, shop, distillery tours, guided talks, play park, large gardens and grounds. A full day out treat.
Caley Mill, Heacham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 7JE.
Open year-round 9am to 5pm.
Family ticket costs £14.
Hitchin Lavender
You can harvest your own flowers at Hitchin Lavender Farm or just choose to wander the 25 miles of rows of blooms.
Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin Herts, SG5 3UA.
Open daily 10am to 5pm May to September, and until 8:30pm mid June to end of August.
£6 adults. £3 children. Under 5s free.
Lavender fields in the North
Yorkshire Lavender, York
As well as getting carried away in the fields, there are some beautiful views over the Vale of York here too. The family-run farm also boats an award-winning garden, sculpture park, deer park, lavender maze and play area.
Terrington, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 6PB.
Open 10am to 5pm March to September.
Free entry except June to August when adults are £3 and children over 5 are £1.50.
World’s Way Lavender, York
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A small but perfectly-formed family-run farm with five acres of lavender. There’s a willow maze for families to explore and get lost in, a wildflower sculpture walk (with dinosaurs!), timber trail play area, mini steam train, distillery, and giant chess set.
Wintringham, York, YO17 8HW.
Open end of March to end of September, Monday to Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Adults £4.95, children 3 plus £3.50.
Lavender fields in Wales
Welsh Lavender, Powys
There’s a pond here for wild swimmers, but not much else for families. Farm notes are available for self-guided tours. Tea and cakes can be arranged if you let the farm know in advance.
Cefnperfedd Uchaf, Maesmynis, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales LD2 3HU
Open year round.
Free entry.
Wye Lavender, Powys
Sweet Wye Lavender provides visitors with tea and a tour of the farm, with each guest receiving a bouquet of lavender. If you want to wander freely, you are welcome to. There’s also a sensory garden to envelope your senses in.
Bryn Pedol, Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5NR
Open throughout July and August, Monday to Sunday 10am to 5pm.
Free entry. Tours £12.75 each.
Lavender fields in Ireland
Wexford Lavender
STAR VISIT
This tiny farm packs in the punches with a train ride, play area, cafe, visitor centre, woodland walks and artists attic craft room.
Coolnagloose, Inch, Gorey, Co Wexford.
Open year round Tuesday to Sunday 10:30am to 5pm.
Free entry.
