It's not just bees who love lavender. Soothe your soul this summer by discovering some of the best, brightest and most beautiful lavender fields you can visit in England, Scotland and Wales...
The idyllic Cotswold Lavender fields (Shutterstock)
Typically open for visitors from mid-June until the beginning of August, there’s a limited window open for appreciating Hill Barn Farm’s sweeping lavender fields, stretching over 225km of land.
A weekday visit is highly recommended if you hope to see the 40 lavender varieties (and 500,000 plants total) without the crowds. Of course, you get more than lavender from a trip here: a postcard-ready view of the Cotswold countryside, plus the chance to spy the new, growing crop of camomile. Lavender oil is for sale in the farm shop.
Open until: 5 August 2021
More information: Cotswold Lavender
Mayfield Lavender fields in Banstead, Surrey (Shutterstock)
This Banstead-based lavender field is the largest organic lavender field in the UK. It makes a picturesque day trip, particularly given its proximity to the 422 sq km Surrey Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and given how easy it is to visit from the capital (it's 24km from central London).
The back-to-nature, wading-through-the-purple-flowers experience is complete with a spot of tea at the charming Mayfield café, and a chance to purchase lavender products in the farm shop. Weekday visits are recommended.
Open until: 31 August 2021
More information: Mayfield Lavender
Lavender flowers (Shutterstock)
This sustainable lavender family farm – the biggest in Scotland – grows seven varieties of lavender, including Folgate and Grosso, along the banks of Loch Leven Nature Reserve. It also has three honeybee hives to help encourage pollination – that’s a massive 100,000 bumble bees on site. Eep.
Open until: August 2021
More information: Tarhill Lavender
Somerset Lavender (Shutterstock)
Somerset Lavender, based in the pleasant Somerset village of Faulkland, has a five-acre field blooming with 50,000 flowers in 20 lavender varieties. Birders will enjoy spotting swifts and swallows, and expect plenty of bee and butterflies on site, too.
The farm also has a Healing Garden, filled with the soothing scents of lemon balm, arnica and echinacea. You can stock up on gifts at the farm shop, which sells lavender goods and honey, as well as enjoying a cuppa in the café.
Open until: 30 September 2021
More information: Somerset Lavender
Yorkshire Lavender (Shutterstock)
Situated in northern England, this lovely, 60-acre lavender garden is just 23km from York, and 5km west from Castle Howard: a grand stately home worth a visit in itself.
Not only are you able to wander through and admire the pale and dark shades of purple rippling through the field, you can also get lost in a lavender maze, enjoy a host of other gardens (including a Sensory Garden) and sample lavender-imbued scones and ice cream at EJ’s Licensed Tea Room.
Open until: 24 September 2021
More information: Yorkshire Lavender
Kentish Lavender at Castle Farm (Shutterstock)
Proud owners of the ‘UK’s largest lavender farm’ title, the 1,100-acre Castle Farm near Shoreham, Kent is the perfect nature escape for those keen to get out of the capital. Especially when you consider its prime location in the pretty Darent Valley.
Pre-book either a lavender walk or lavender picnic, then sit back and enjoy the view. Alternatively, if you’re keen to try some lavender products, try the socially-distanced farm shop drive-through in operation. The farm also grows hops, apples and pumpkins, among other produce.
Open until: Approximately 1 August 2021; call ahead
More information: Castle Farm
Hitchin Lavender fields (Shutterstock)
With 56km of lavender meadows within reach of Cambridge and London, Hitchin Lavender is an ideal nature escape for city dwellers. Not to mention that you’ll also find rows upon rows of sunflowers here from early August onwards, as well as fields of wildflowers.
Hitchin’s popular lavender fields are still accessible to visitors, though you do need a time slot. It’s worth it, especially if you can stop for a spot of tea in the 17th century barn, or wander the museum – a recreation of the 19th-century, lavender-loving Perks & Llewellyn Pharmacy.
Open until: 23 July 2021
More information: Hitchin Lavender
Kew Gardens Greenhouse, London (Shutterstock)
Kew Gardens needs little introduction to fauna fans, thanks to its Bamboo Garden, Rose Garden, rhododendron dell, collection of carnivorous plants, indoor rainforest and 14,000-strong arboretum, to name just a few attractions.
Lavender lovers won't find a full field, but should visit the Great Board Walk Garden, the Duke’s Garden and the Queen’s Garden to catch a glimpse of purple among the rainbow symphony of flowers on display. It's best to visit in July, August or September for your best chance seeing lavender.
Pre-book tickets in advance, and remember that Kew’s various gardens have their own open and closing times. Check the website for full information.
Open until: Year-round
More information: Kew Gardens
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