These English lavender fields are open to visitors this summer

Lavender is blooming all around England at present, and those who are looking for a perfect day trip may fancy a trip to one of its lavender farms to enjoy exploring acres of the stunning violet flowers. Here are some of the lavender farms that are open to visitors this summer.

Mayfield Lavender

Mayfield Lavender is a family-run organic lavender farm on the Surrey Downs, set in two locations. Mayfield Lavender Farm in Banstead has 25 acres of lavender crop and it also has a shop and al fresco café. Mayfield Lavender Nursery and Gift Shop is in Epsom and it has 12 acres of lavender, fruit trees and glasshouses. There is no need to book but it is recommended you avoid weekends, if possible, and social distancing measures are in place. Further information is available on its website here.

Cotswold Lavender

Cotswold Lavender is located in Hill Barn Farm in Worcestershire, and is a third-generation family farm set in the heart of the Cotswold Hills. Lavender is grown as a crop there and there are over 40 different varieties, 140 miles of rows and over 500,000 plants in total. Camomile is also grown on the farm. While Cotswold Lavender is open to visitors this summer, they will not be able to go into the distillery this year. Further information is available on its website here.

Hitchin Lavender

Hitchin Lavender is a lavender farm located in Hertfordshire, and it has 35 miles of lavender rows that visitors can walk through. As well as the fields of lavender, it also grows sunflowers that will bloom from mid-August onwards. Picnics are allowed and there are refreshments and cake on site, and the farm shop will operate from the field. The farm has introduced time slots this year to facilitate social distancing, and further information is available on its website here.

Castle Farm

The lavender fields at the family-owned Castle Farm in north Kent are open via a pre-booked time slot to allow safe social distancing. There are two options - the first being a 'lavender walk,' where visitors get to walk among the purple rows in one of the fields, and take in the scent, colour and views as the lavender blooms across the valley. The second is the 'lavender picnic,' where guests can bring their own picnic and enjoy the lavender fields for an afternoon or an evening session. This year the picnics will take place in one of the new lavender fields, which offer more space and dedicated parking. Further information is available via the website here.

Somerset Lavender

Visitors to Somerset Lavender can walk through two five-acre fields of lavender and absorb the sight of more than 50,000 lavender plants. There is a lavender garden where over 20 varieties of lavender are trialled, so visitors can see their different colours and habits. There is a farm shop and, due to social distancing measures, the café is open this summer with a takeaway service. Check out Somerset Lavender's website here.

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