It’s lavender season, but you don’t have to travel to Provence to see gorgeous blooms; here are 5 stunning lavender fields near London…
By Philippa Thomas
The Best Lavender Fields Near London
Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire
With around 35 miles of lavender and sunflower fields, Cadwell Farm is a floral haven nestled in the Hertfordshire countryside. It’s perfect for day-trippers as the train from Kings Cross to Hitchin Station takes under an hour. While you’re there, treat yourself to a delicious homemade cake from their café or tuck into your very own picnic.
Open July to August, Monday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00. Booking essential; Adults £6, Disabled Concession £4, Children under 5 go free.
Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin, SG5 3UA; hitchinlavender.com
Castle Farm, Kent
Castle Farm in Kent is the largest producer of lavender in Britain, with over 1,100 acres of land. They offer relaxing walks through their heavenly-scented fields and spaces for you to enjoy your own picnics. A new drive-through shop allows you to purchase a curated selection of farm produce, local seasonal fruits, and beautiful gifts from the safety of your own car. The farm is about an hour’s drive from London, just off the A225 between the villages of Shoreham and Eynsford.
Open June to late July, Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00-5:30. Booking essential.
Lavender Walks (45 mins): Adults £4.25, Children under 16 £2.75, Children under 5 go free. Lavender Picnics (2 hrs): Adults £10.25, Children under 16 £5.75, Children under 5 go free.
Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, TN14 7UB; castlefarmkent.co.uk
Mayfield Lavender Farm, Surrey
Mayfield Lavender Farm is conveniently located just outside the capital; a train from London Victoria to East Croydon, followed by a short trip on the 166 bus to Oaks Park, sees you there in just under an hour. Alongside its beautiful fields of purple, their al-fresco café serves up a unique lavender cider that is sure to help you relax in the summer sun.
Open June to Late August, Monday-Friday, 9:00-18:00; Adults £4, Children under 16 go free.
1 Carshalton Rd, Banstead, SM7 3JA; mayfieldlavender.com
Norfolk Lavender, Norfolk
Norfolk Lavender not only let you wander around their gorgeous meadow, they also provide guided tours of their distillery where you can see how they transform flowers into fragment oils and balms. These gardens are a little further out of London; a train from King’s Cross station to King’s Lynn, then a taxi to Norfolk Lavender should get you there in a couple of hours. However, while you’re in the area, there’s plenty more to visit, such as Sandringham and Holkham Hall.
Open Monday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00; Free Entry.
Caley Mill, Lynn Rd, Heacham, PE31 7JE; norfolk-lavender.co.uk
Hartley Park Farm, Hampshire
The Lavender Fields at Hartley Park Farm are a sea of violet within the Hampshire countryside. They currently farm eight types of lavender in their fields, from which they make a variety of scented lifestyle and well-being products. Their small on-site farm shop sells everything from lavender hand cream to lavender chocolate. Getting there takes under two hours from London, just off the A31 at Selborne.
Open Monday to Friday, 10:00-16:00; Adults £3, Children under 16 £1, Children Under 3 go free.
Selborne Road, Alton, GU34 3HP; thelavenderfields.co.uk
Like this? Check out these 9 incredible day trips from London
