On a summer’s day, when the is sun beating down and the wind is 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 and head to these wonderful lavender fields near London!
1. Mayfield Lavender Farm, Surrey
Where else could we possibly start? Mayfield Lavender Farm fills many a social media feed with purple perfection, and since it’s the closest lavender field to London, you can reach it fairly easily. Don’t miss the iconic red telephone box nestled amongst the flowers, but also be sure to enjoy everything else the area has to offer. You can easily spend the afternoon here thanks to the farm’s bee safari, or with 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.
đź“Ť 1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, SM7 3JA. Find out more on their website.
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 field and stretches across the gently sloping Wilbury Hills of northern Hertfordshire. As well as a seemingly never-ending sea of lavender, the farm is also home to sunflowers and wildflowers during the summer, and pumpkins during the autumn. The sea of purple and gold is truly a sight to behold. Just take it all in, and don’t forget to pause for a nice deep breath of lavender…
đź“Ť Cadwell Farm, Arlesey Road, Ickleford, Hitchin, SG5 3UA. Find out more on their website.
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. They also run tours of the lavender field where visitors can learn about “the different types of lavender, harvest and distillation.” Otherwise, you can simply go for a stroll yourself, or bring a picnic and enjoy a lovely day out!
đź“Ť Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, TN14 7UB. Find out more on 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 ” 3.5 kms of hand planted Lavandula Ă— intermedia ‘Lavender Grosso'”, 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. Oh, and the neighbouring village of Finchingfield is a picturesque dream. Honestly, what’s better than waking up to the scent of fresh lavender?
đź“Ť Howe Street, Finchingfield, Braintree, CM7 4JB. Find out more on their website.
5. Lordington Lavender, West Sussex
Four acres of Mailette lavender stretch towards the horizon at the family-run Lordington Lavender 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. This year’s open days are running from July 10-14, from 10am-4pm each day. There’s no need to pre-book either – just turn up and enjoy! Otherwise, the farm also hosts family-friendly ‘Sunday Funday’ events that allow you to enjoy the lavender fields, without the crowds. These events also treat guests to live music, hay play, face painting, treasure hunting, and a bar and BBQ.
đź“Ť Farm Lane, Lordington, Chichester, PO18 9DX. Find out more on their website.
The lavender season typically only lasts from June to early August. Act fast if you want to visit these lavender fields, or else you’ll miss out!