If you’re looking to swap skyscrapers and stroppy commuters for sweeping views and sprawling fields of flowers this summer, I’d highly recommend you listening up. The UK’s largest lavender farm is picture-perfectly perched just an hour outside of London – and it’s mere moments away from swinging open its gates for the season.
Castle Farm Lavender Fields
Located in the Darent Valley near Eynsford in Kent, Castle Farm provides a pretty striking contrast to the chaos of the capital city. Offering over 100 acres of fragrant flowers to wander through; this jaw-droppingly gorgeous spot makes for a pretty perfect day trip from London.
Much like myself, lavender really starts to thrive in the sunny seasons. It usually begins to bloom in June and – right on cue – Castle Farm is opening its gates for the season on June 19 and will remain open throughout July (although the exact dates are very dependent on old Mother Nature).
There are various different ways to experience the flower-filled farm. Whether you want to bring your own picnic to enjoy amongst the rolling hills, enjoy a frolic in the fields and snap some rather sensational photos, or head out on one of the glorious guided tours (where they’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek into how lavender farming works); there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Castle Farm.
There’s also a whole host of workshops and events taking place throughout the season. From wreath-making to breathwork, there are plenty of unique ways to enjoy a trip to this purple paradise. There’s even the Lavender Barn shop where visitors can get their hands on a variety of lavender-based goodies. And throughout June and July, fresh bunches of lavender are available for visitors to take home with them. Sounds pretty darn lav-ley to me.
Getting to Castle Farm from London
It takes approximately an hour to drive from London to Castle Farm, and there is on-site parking available when you get there. Non-drivers can hop on a speedy service from London Bridge to Sevenoaks where they can then swap to an onwards train to Eynsford. Castle Farm is then a 30 minute walk of a short taxi ride from there.
Tickets are available now. Find out more and plan your visit here.