A Guide to the Best Lavender Fields in the UK, Scotland and Wales

In the leafy regions of the UK, Scotland, and Wales, you can find undulating rows of lavender fields stretching as far as your eyes can see. Their distinctive floral scent lingers in the air as the sea of purple flowers ripples.

Every summer, there is tranquillity hanging in the air over the countryside and the rolling fields of lavender. It’s not because there are no visitors. But the floral scent from the lavender creates a relaxing atmosphere announcing lavender season UK.

With lavender in full bloom, farms open their gates to guests who come in droves to walk through the fields and pick fresh flowers. They also take photos, enjoy local delicacies, and shop.

Interested in visiting lavender farms? Read on.

Lavender Fields in the UK, Scotland and Wales:

• Norfolk Lavender
• Hitchin Lavender
• Yorkshire Lavender
• Cotswold Lavender
• Mayfield Lavender
• Castle Farm
• Somerset Lavender
• Roskorwell Farm
• Cornish Lavender
• Welsh Lavender
• Tarhill Farm

1. Norfolk Lavender

Location: Caley Mill, Lynn Rd, Heacham PE31 7JE

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm

Ticket Price: The main site is free.

Animal Garden costs:

• Adults – £8,
• Child (2-16) – £7
• Under 2 – Free

Set at the heart of the West Coast of Norfolk in beautiful tranquil gardens is Norfolk Lavender, a premier lavender farm. Open all year round, the farm sits on 100 acres where lavender is under cultivation.

Founded in 1932, Linn Chilvers planted the first six acres at Norfolk Lavender. Originally, he ran a nursery garden and florist business in Heacham, but he always dreamed of growing lavender on a large scale. When he shared his vision with local farmers, they dismissed it saying it would never come to fruition.

He met Francis Dusgate of Fring Hall who encouraged him to try out his idea – planting lavender on a large scale. In 1932, the two men went into partnership and started growing lavender together.

Dusgate provided six acres of land, while Linn supplied the 13,000 lavender plants required. Three men and a boy planted the lavender for 18 days. Today, Norfolk Garden is a world-famous garden and oil distillery.

The garden and lavender distillery are open to the public. Visitors can have a guided tour showing them the distillation of lavender flowers to make oil for perfume and toiletries.

Summer is the busiest time for Norfolk Lavender. This is the time the lavender bursts into flowers releasing its relaxing fragrance into the air. The distillery is operational in harvest between July and August.

From the distillery, you can wander over the bridge at Meadow Gardens where you can spot eels and trout on the way. Thereafter, you can retreat to the island gazebo and enjoy the landscaped gardens.

Norfolk Lavender also has an animal garden open every day from 10am with the last entry at 3.45pm before closing at 4.45pm. The animal garden is home to mammals, invertebrates, birds, and reptiles. If you’ve kids, they can learn a lot about animals and their natural environment. Finally, you can relax in the tea room and also buy some souvenirs and gifts from the gift shop.

2. Hitchin Lavender

Location: Cadwell farm, Arlesey Rd, Ickleford, Hitchin SG5 3UA

Opening Times: Spring 2023 from 9am to 6pm daily

Ticket Price: Adults – £6 and Children (aged 4 – 16) – £4.50.

Around 40 km north of London is Hitchin Lavender, a family-owned farm with around 25 miles of lavender rows that visitors can walk through and pick fresh flowers. The main farm sits on 30 acres of land containing a wide variety of lavender.

Staff at the farm provide a paper bag for collecting lavender which you can pick at the entrance to the field. Before visiting the farm, bring your own scissors during the main flowering season between mid-June and late August.

Besides the main farm is a display field where guests can walk around. There are more than 60 varieties of lavender plants but picking lavender is not allowed at the display field. However, you can pick the sunflowers at the far right-hand side of the main lavender farm at a fee.

At the wildflower meadow, you can find a variety of British wildflowers, such as Common Knapweed, Poppy, Cornflower, and Tufted Vetch. The plants usually flower in early Summer.

When hungry, simply visit the field kitchen. Located near the main lavender field, they sell a selection of hot and cold beverages, savoury snacks, cakes, and light lunches. You can also buy ice cream and refreshments from The Wagon situated next to the field shop.

There are two shops on site. One is in the Old Barn, while the other is in the main field. The shops sell a wide range of own brand products containing lavender grown at the farm. Professional photography is allowed anytime during opening hours but it’s subject to an additional fee. In addition, parking is available, and it’s free.

3. Yorkshire Lavender

Location: Terrington, York YO60 6PB

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday 10am to 5pm

Ticket Price: Adults – £6 and Children (3 – 16) £3.50 and Under 3 – FREE

Yorkshire Lavender is a 60-acre hillside farm where they grow a variety of lavender. The farm started as a family project with a few experimental rows of lavender. Today, it has hundreds of lavender varieties as well as herbs.

In summer, the lavender displays a stunning array of colours on the farm from white through a complete range of blues to lilac and deep purple. This change provides a wonderful experience to visitors.

The farm has several gardens designed to give visitors an immersive experience. For example, the Diagonal and the Spiral Gardens are set on the side of the hill where you can find English lavender growing.

Another garden you can visit is Purple Patch. Tucked away in a corner of the main farm next to the sales area, the garden is full of perennials that reflect the colours of blooming lavenders. With foliage and flowers in early spring, the Purple Patch is a great place to look for planting design ideas.

Every year, the farm holds events and workshops. You can learn how to sow and grow your own cut flowers, learn how to grow windowsill herbs, or even grow summer herbs. The also have a painting workshop where guests can experiment with a variety of media. Students can learn to draw and paint under the direction of professionals.

There is a circular pond on the farm that offers spectacular views over the Vale of York. Designed to reflect the Yorkshire sky, the pond is home to frogs, newts, and toads. If visiting in spring, look out for tadpoles. Note, to gain admission, you must purchase your tickets in advance.

4. Cotswold Lavender

Location: Hill Barn Farm Cottage, Snowshill WR12 7JY

Opening Times: 14th June 2023 to 6th August 2023, 10am to 5pm

Ticket Price: Adults – £5.50, Children (5 to 15) – £2.75, and Under 5’s – Free

On the outskirts of Snowshill Village is Cotswold Lavender, a family-run farm that produces lavender oil and toiletries. For the last three generations, the family has been farming in the area. They began growing lavender back in 1999 as a small diversification.

The family started with a few hundred plants which they planted with their hands and on their knees. Since then, they are now growing 70 acres of lavender where they distil lavender oil and sell their products in the UK and around the world.

Cotswold Lavender will reopen on 14th June 2023 when the rows of lavender will start to show colour. Visitors are welcome to walk through the lavender fields and enjoy the spectacular views of the countryside. They can bring a picnic, which they can enjoy with family and friends while overlooking the lavender field.

After the picnic, guests can visit the distillery where they can see how lavender oil is usually extracted. Visitors are also welcome to visit the Wildflower Meadow, the Woodland Trail, and the Lavender Cabin where they can buy gifts to take home.

When they reopen, you can purchase your tickets on arrival. Remember to bring with you card payment as Cotswold Lavender is a cashless business. If you’ll be in the company of more than 15 people, contact the farm in advance.

5. Mayfield Lavender

Location: 1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 3JA

Opening Times: Opens in June 2023

Ticket Price: Adult – £4.50, Under 14 – Free

Mayfield Lavender is a family-run 25-acre farm. In the first year, they planted half the field with 70,000 tiny plugs. However, crows and magpies pulled each tiny plant. They later replanted the following year, and this time round, they achieved success.

Thanks to the beauty of their farm and word of mouth, visitors started to come from all over the world to visit the farm. The family bought a dilapidated plant nursery that sits on 12 acres overlooking Central London. After 4 years of hard work, they nurtured the farm and renovated the buildings.

They built the Mayfield shop and coffee bar in Epsom. The Mayfield shop is always packed with best-selling lavender goods, English wines, gift ideas, new product lines, and more. At the coffee shop, you can order hot drinks, delicious baked cakes, and sandwiches.

After your visit, pass by the shops where you’ll find a wide range of lavender-themed products. You can purchase aromatherapy oils for relaxation, lavender scented bears to soothe pain and aches.

6. Castle Farm

Location: Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7UB

Opening Times: Opens June 2023

Ticket Price: £12 per adult, £6 per child, 0-2yrs free.

Based near the village of Shoreham in West Kent, Castle Farm is a family-run farm that dates back to the late 1800s. The Alexander Family has been farming in the Darenth Valley since 1892. Through the years, the family has been growing a variety of crops on the land: plums, potatoes, parsnips lucerne, cabbage, apples, and hops.

However, in 1998, the family decided to venture into lavender farming to produce essential oils. Today, Castle Farm is the largest lavender farm in the UK growing over 130 acres of lavender.

The farm has a specialised distillery where they extract the precious essential oils within hours of harvesting the crop. Visitors can book guided tours every summer to experience the unrivalled sight of the farm.

Guides can take visitors behind the scenes where they will learn about the varieties of lavenders grown on the farm. They will also learn how essential oils get extracted. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic on the farm’s beautiful Ladybird Lavender field which has more than 60,000 plants.

They can wander through the rows of lavender and set a picnic on the farm’s grass headlands to take in the views. Note, picnic sessions last 2.5 hours.

7. Somerset Lavender

Location: Horsepond Farm Faulkland Nr, Radstock BA3 5WA

Opening Times: Opens May 1st, 2023 Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm

Ticket Price: Free

In the heart of Somerset, just a stone throw away from the city of Bath sits the Somerset Lavender farm. Since 2006, Somerset Lavender has been welcoming visitors. Originally, the farm had a herd of Guernsey and Jersey cows producing creamy milk.

However, due to the falling milk prices, the family chose to plant lavender on their 50-acre farm. They planted thousands of plants on the farm, and today, they harvest the lavender to extract essential oils.

At Somerset Lavender, there are a lot of things to do. Not only can visitors roam and wander through the purple fields. But they can also visit the cafe, plant nursery, and farm shop where they can purchase their own brand products.

What you need to know is that Somerset Lavender is a working farm. As such, heavy machinery is in operation at all times. If visiting the farm with children, make sure they are closely supervised at all times. Remember, no need to book to visit the farm. Just turn up and have great fun!

8. Roskorwell Farm

Location: Roskorwell, Helston TR12 6PR

Opening Times: Opening June 2023

Ticket Price: Adults – £5 with £1 booking fee. Children under 14 – FREE

The Roskorwell Farm is the first-ever lavender farm in Cornwall. The farm sits on six acres of land with drained Lizard soil. On the farm, there are thousands of lavender plants whose scent in the summer mingles with the fresh sea air.

The family chose to grow lavender for its many uses. Not only that, they grew the plants so that they could process the essential oils on the farm. Once harvested in the mornings, the lavender is always delivered to the barn for steam distillation to extract essential oils.

Upon visiting the farm, you can learn more about the distillation process and even get to purchase some of their lavender products. Such products include scrubs and oils. You also get to enjoy the farm’s delicious homemade cakes and cream teas.

Cornwall is also home to lots of dog friendly campsites so you can visit with your furry friend!

9. Cornish Lavender

Location: Great Carnbargus Farm, Perranporth TR6 0J

Opening Times: Opens late May to mid-August from Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm

Ticket Price: Free

Located near Perranporth and St Agnes, Cornish Lavender is a family farm where visitors can come and enjoy the fragrance fields of purple. The family grows lavender on their 5-acre farm. They started with 200 small lavender plugs of different varieties. Today, thousands are thriving in the Cornish soil that give off amazing natural scents and fragrances.

Open in the summer, the farm allows visitors to sample delights prepared or made at the farm. Since Cornish Lavender provides a tranquil setting for families and friends, you can bring a picnic to enjoy. At the top of the lavender field, there are picnic benches that give you views of the stunning countryside. Visitors can also enjoy a delicious lavender cream tea with homemade scones and cakes at the farm’s cafe.

10. Welsh Lavender

Location: Cefnperfedd Uchaf, Maesmynis, Builth Wells LD2 3HU

Opening Times: July and August 2023 10 AM to 5 PM daily

Ticket Price: Adults – £5 and Under 16 – FREE

Set in the rolling hills north of the Brecon Beacons, Welsh Lavender is the first lavender farm in Wales. Founded by Oxford philosopher, Bill Newton-Smith and international journalist Nancy Durham, the couple turned their sheep farm into a lavender farm. Today, they harvest the lavender, extract the essential oils and create lavender gifts for visitors.

Upon arrival, visitors will get maps for self-guided tours of the lavender fields, distillery, and garden. The farm has plenty of places for a picnic so it’s wise to prepare a basket and bring it with you.

You can also bring your dogs, but they must be on leads. The farm is open all year round, and you can enjoy tea and cake at the cafe while overlooking the spectacular valleys and hills of the Welsh countryside.

11. Tarhill Farm

Location: Kinross, KY139EZ

Opening Times: Opens Summer 2023

Ticket Price: Adults: £5 and Children: £2

Come and explore Tarhill Farm in Scotland for an unforgettable experience. At the farm, not only can you walk through the lavender fields. But you can learn how the farm extracts, and distils essential oils from the lavender.

All the essential oils from the farm are free from toxins and nasty chemicals. As such, they are safe to use. What you need to know is that lavender is not the only plant you’ll find at Tarhill Farm.

At the farm’s wildflower meadow, you’ll find flowers with an array of vibrant colours that will brighten your day. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll while admiring the wildflowers. Tarhill Farm also has a herb garden where their sweet aroma will surely fill your nose with delight. You’ll find rosemary, sage, thyme, basil, and more

Final Thoughts…

The UK lavender fields are a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a tranquil and breath-taking experience. With their vast expanses of purple flowers, these fields provide a stunning backdrop for photo opportunities and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.