Lavender fields have been calling me ever since I clapped eyes on a gorgeous photo of Provence in France. Row upon row of plump purple haze paled into the horizon on a misty summer’s dawn. I was instantly enchanted and knew I’d have to see them for myself one day.
But did you know you don’t have to go to France to see them? There are plenty of lavender fields in England. Read on for my list of the best lavender fields and lavender farms in England with all the info you need to help plan your visit.
Updated July 2020
Lavender Farms in England
I’d never considered that there might be a lavender farm near me but after some research discovered that there are many home-grown English lavender fields and there’s one only an hour’s drive from home!
There is a lavender field in Sussex but the aromatic Mayfield Lavender Farm in Surrey is nearer to me and the nearest lavender field to London. I dropped by to get a quick lavender fix until I make it to Provence. Because I will get there one day…
Mayfield Lavender Field, Surrey
A wander through a field of lavender is an assault on the senses. The sight of billowing blue and purple rows disappearing into a hazy horizon took my breath away.
Stepping between the rows of lavender, I was enveloped by the aromatic scent that permeated the air. And then I became aware of the gentle buzzing of happy little bees bumbling away in their sweet little world.
The lavender fields at Mayfield are selfie heaven. I’m not big on selfies (well when you get to my age…) but people were posing, pouting and posturing amongst the purple. A classic red telephone box in the middle of the field made the perfect prop for many a facebook profile pic and the red against the purple looked amazing. Little gazebos can be rented for private parties amongst the lavender.
There’s a café at Mayfield and a shop selling everything lavender from fresh posies to organic essential oil, soap, lotions and even lavender tea. The smell when I stepped inside was almost overpowering.
Lavender Fields UK – When to Visit
If you want to wander through an English lavender field you’ll need to know when lavender flowers. So when does lavender bloom? Well, it can vary from mid-June until mid-August depending on the weather.
If the weather is warmer earlier in the year the season will start earlier and finish earlier. Likewise, if the weather’s cooler the lavender will take longer to bloom.
There are English lavender fields sprouting up all over England and I’ve listed the ones I could find below. Hopefully, there’s a lavender farm near you so you can visit your own piece of purple paradise.
Check out the lavender farms’ websites first (details below) because some farms will only allow visitors as part of a tour. Also the lavender season varies between each one with some finishing mid-July and others staying open until the end of August and even up to September. So read on for my list of lavender fields in England.
Read More: Best Bluebell Woods in Sussex
The Best Lavender Fields in England
*I’ve updated the information for 2020 as far as I am able but as a precaution please check the website for each lavender field to confirm opening dates, times and restrictions due to the current Covid-19 regulations.*
Lavender Fields in South East England
Mayfield Lavender Farm, Surrey
Mayfield Lavender Farm – Croydon Lane, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 3BE – about fifteen miles from London. The lavender farm is now open every day from 9am to 6pm (including Sundays) until 31 August. Mayfield are adjusting to the relaxation of the lockdown rules and will be operating with new social distancing measures in place for the shop and cafe.
The lavender fields flower from June to the end of August.
Entry fee is £4 per person..
Parking is free to visitors who have paid the entry fee although it is limited. For SatNav use postcode SM7 3JA.
From London the fastest route is to take a train from London Victoria to Sutton or Cheam and then a taxi or cab to the farm.
No picnics or drones are allowed on the farm.
Lavender Fields, Hampshire
English Hampshire Lavender – Hartley Park Farm Business Centre, Selborne Rd, Alton GU34 3HS.
The field – annual open days for 2020 will be held in July on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July from 11am – 4pm.
The shop is opening from 16th June 2020, the cafe remains closed. Monday – CLOSED, Tuesday – 9:30am – 16:30pm, Wednesday – 9:30am – 16:30pm, Thursday – 9:30am – 16:30pm, Friday – 9:30am – 16:30pm, Saturday – 10:00am – 16:30pm, Sunday – CLOSED
Group tours are available on request.
Entry is £3 per adult with under 12’s £1. No booking required. Refreshments are available to purchase. Some stalls/activities are subject to an additional cost. Parking is free. No dogs.
Lordington Lavender, Chichester
Lordington Lavender, Chichester – Lordington Farm, Lordington, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9DX.
These lavender fields in West Sussex are open Monday 6th July – Sunday 12th July 2020. 10am-4pm (Last entry at 4pm, lavender fields to be cleared by 4.30pm).
No booking required. £6 entry for adults is paid on the gate (bring cash as card payments do not work ont he gate. Under sixteens go free.
Some areas are not accessible to wheelchair users.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcomed.
Castle Farm Lavender, Kent
The lavender fields are now open! This year access is only via a pre booked time slot to allow safe social distancing. Please check out Lavender Field Walks if you’d like to enjoy our iconic purple fields.
Enjoy 45 minutes strolling through our most famous field with the Lavender bench. Take a photo, enjoy the calming scent and walk to the top of the field to take in the spectacular views of the valley.
Castle Farm Lavender and The Hop Shop, Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7UB.
Farm shop is open daily all year round, but for the Lavender the season is generally late June until the end of July. Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm.
Entry is free to the shop, and to the Lavender viewing area (with a the beautiful Lavender Bench) but to see and learn more about the Lavender you’ll need to take a Tour which costs from £7.50 per person and takes around 75 minutes. Tours take you right out into the lavender fields and also over to the Oil Distillery. The ground is fairly level and suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Weekday Lavender Tours – dates are published in June here
Weekend Lavender Tours – book on arrival at the farm only.
£4.25 per adult, £2.75 per child (5yrs-15yrs), free under 5’s (no ticket required for under 5’s).On busy weekends there is a car park charge of £2 per car. Disabled parking available. Dogs are not permitted on tours.
Norfolk Lavender
Norfolk Lavender – Caley Mill, Heacham, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 7JE.
Tours of the newest lavender field, Torrey’s Field, start in July and go through to mid August 2020.
Hourly slots 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, and 2pm and can be pre booked on 01485 570384 or tickets can bought in the Lavender Gift Shop on the day (15 seats per tour).
Tours take around 45 minutes and included a brief talk on the history of Norfolk lavender and lavender oil’s uses. There’s a stop in the Lavender field for a while before returning to the distillery.
No prices are indicated on the website.
Hitchen Lavender
Hitchin Lavender – Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin Herts, SG5 3UA.
Visiting is by pre-booked ticket only.
The farm is open to visitors until 3rd August. From then onwards opening times are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and every other day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry to the field is half an hour before closing.
Prices are £6-£7 for adults and £3 for children under 14 (picking included). Under 4s go free. Disabled £4 Family of 4 £22-£25
Please note that lavender flowering time is mid-June to mid-August so it’s best to wait until then before you visit.
Read more about Hitchen Lavender, and their sunflower fields, on Biggsy Travels.
Lavender Fields in South West England
Somerset Lavender
Somerset Lavender – Horsepond Farm, Faulkland, Somerset BA3 5WA.
Visit the lavender garden and the lavender fields. Somerset Lavender is open 16 May through September 2020, Wednesday – Sunday. 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Entry is by donation.
Accessibility: The lavender garden and farm shop and cafe are all accessible with no steps.
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
Travelling by public transport is lengthy but not impossible bus from Radstock or Frome to Faulkland and a 3 minute walk to the farm. Checkout the timetable at fromebus.co.uk Bus 414 or 424 please note there are NO BUSES on SUNDAYS.
Cycle path, the farm is near the colliers way cycle path – please check your map and keep it with you. From Wellow about 3 miles.
Lavender Farms in Central England
Cotswold Lavender
Cotswold Lavender – Hill Barn Farm, Snowshill, Broadway, Worcestershire, WR12 7JY.
The fields, shop and tearoom will be open until 1st August 2020 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with last entry to the fields at 4.45 p.m.
2020 – Due to the constraints of social distancing the shop, tea room and distillery will not open this year and no plants are available for sale this year.
£4.00 for adults and £2.00 for children age 5-15 yrs. Under 5’s are free of charge. Card payments only.
Full day tour of the Cotswolds from London – check prices and availability
Northern England Lavender Fields
Yorkshire Lavender
The fields are not open to visitors this year. Click here for updates
Yorkshire Lavender – The Yorkshire Lavender Farm, Terrington, York, YO60 6PB.
Yorkshire lavender has been going for over 24 years and the gardens and maze are open May, June, July & August 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Adults £3.50, Children (5-15) £2.00, Senior Citizens £3.00, Family (2+2) £10
World’s Way Lavender
World’s Way Lavender, Wintringham, York, YO17 8HW.
Adults £6-£8, Concessions £6-£7.50, Children (2-16yrs) £5.50-£7, Family ticket (2+2 £21.50-£27) (2+3 £24-£30). Admission to Parking, Tearoom, Shop, Plant Sales areas is free – Dogs are welcome
Lavender Fields in Wales
Welsh Lavender
Welsh Lavender – Cefnperfedd Uchaf, Maesmynis, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales LD2 3HU
2020: Open to all visitors, shoppers and wild swimmers 11am – 4pm daily. Gates close at 5pm.
Admission £5 per adult / Pensioners £3 / Children free
Light refreshments available to enjoy on the grounds. Visit the distillery to see how essential oil is distilledWalk along the lavender rows.
Well behaved dogs on leads welcome
The farm is open most hours of most days throughout the summer and often out of season.
Wye Lavender, Wye Valley, Wales
Wye Lavender
Bryn Pedol
Rhayader
Powys
LD6 5NR
01597 810627 or 07779 634390
Have you visited a lavender field? If not you should – it soothes the soul!
If there’s a UK lavender field near you that I’ve missed please let me know and I can add it to the list which I’ll update every year.
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Phacelia is grown in fields in Cornwall and that is beautiful too. Same colour as Lavender and grown as a pollinator mix for bees and a green fertilizer too.
We grew it for the first time this year at The Woodland Collection and will definitely be growing it every year from now on.
The bees love both so that’s good too!
Oh what a wonderful pictures. The phone box in the middle of the lavender fields is just amazing. Love it!
It’s such a pop of colour amongst the lavender and totally unexpected! I need to go back 🙂
Wow, this looks so amazing! I had no idea how many places there were in the UK to see lavender. Thanks for the list!
The fields are beautiful – a visit to see them is good for the soul!
Lovely aren’t they ? We went to one this year in the Cotswolds so picturesque!
I think it’s going to be an annual event for us now!
Oh wow, I didn’t know about these thanks for letting us know where they are! I will be heading out with my camera soon! 🙂
They are so photogenic but you’ll have to wait until next year – the season’s over now.