On a summer’s day, with the sun beating down and the wind just rustling the grass, you’ll want to be out and about in the natural world. And for peaceful jaunts in the countryside, you can’t beat the rolling banks of purple found at London’s nearby lavender fields. Not only is a day spent amongst the lavender great for the ‘gram, it’s also good for the soul – so let’s embark on one of London’s best-smelling day trips, with a jaunt to these wonderful lavender fields near London!
1. Mayfield Lavender Farm, Surrey
Where else to start? Mayfield Lavender fills many a social media feed with purple perfection, and as the closest lavender fields to London, you can reach them fairly easily. Snapping a photo of the red telephone box nestled amongst the flowers is a must, but if you’re happy to spend the afternoon here, you can join the farm’s bee safari, or tuck into a lavender-filled afternoon tea. Picking the lavender is strictly forbidden, however – you can get fresh bunches at the gift shop. Find out more about Mayfield Lavender Farm here.
1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, SM7 3JA.
2. Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire
30 acres of beautiful lavender fields stretch into the distance at Hitchin Lavender, which you’ll find due north of the capital. It’s the UK’s largest pick-your-own lavender farm, and stretches across the gently sloping Wilbury Hills of northern Hertfordshire. Just take it all in, and don’t forget to pause for a nice deep breath of lavender…
Cadwell Farm, Arlesey Road, Ickleford, Hitchin, SG5 3UA. See more here.
3. Castle Farm, Kent
Another absolutely stunning option (let’s be honest, lavender fields are never not beautiful!), Castle Farm boasts rolling acres of Folgate lavender. A snap on their famed ‘lavender bench’ is a must, and once you’ve taken your fill of Instagram snaps or enjoyed a picnic amongst the lavender, head to their award-winning farm shop for beef, apples, dried flowers, hop garlands, and a dazzling array of lavender products.
Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, TN14 7UB. Find out more from their website.
4. Finchingfield Lavender & Camping, Essex
One of the younger lavender fields on our list, Finchingfield’s crop was only planted back in 2018. Today, they have 1.5 acres of rolling purple plants, which sits alongside their dreamy campsite and glamping tents. The eco-friendly campsite practically invites you to turn a day visit into an overnight stay amongst the wildflower meadows, and the neighbouring village of Finchingfield is a picturesque dream. Honestly, what’s better than waking up to the scent of fresh lavender?
Howe Street, Finchingfield, Braintree, CM7 4JB. See their website for more.
5. Lordington Lavender, West Sussex
Four acres of Mailette lavender stretch towards the horizon at this family-run farm in the South Downs, which has quickly become a haven for birds, including skylarks and barn owls. It attracts visitors aplenty too, although they’re only allowed during select open days in the summer, or at the farm’s evening events, where they fire up the barbecue for steaks. The best things in life are fleeting, after all…
Farm Lane, Lordington, Chichester, PO18 9DX. Find more on their website.
Also published on Medium.