Lavender season in London. As cherry blossom posts and wisteria hysteria gradually wither away on the 'gram, it means sweeping fields of lavender are nigh.
Here are some of our favourite lavender farms and fields to visit near London — all of them are welcoming visitors in 2025. Check websites for tickets and more details, and remember to make sure the lavender's in bloom before you make a special trip, as the season can vary by a couple of weeks.
Mayfield Lavender Farm, London
Just, *just* within the boundaries of London itself, Mayfield Lavender Farm is the closest lavender field to central London. It gained Instagram fame a while back, partly thanks to a strategically-plonked red phone box.
The 25-acre farm enticed visitors to glide through it as if in a purple-tinged dream. It gets busy at weekends, so visit on a weekday if possible. There's a cafe and shop on site, selling lavender ice cream, cream teas, cider (!), toiletries and other lilac-tinged treats.
Tractor rides are available for a small extra charge, with a circuit of the farm taking about 20 minutes.
Photography among the lavender is encouraged (there's even an official competition every year) but if you're taking part in a professional or extensive photoshoot, you'll need to register and pay a fee. No drones are allowed, and neither are picnics.
Open to the public: Open 14 June-17 August 2025, with lavender expected to bloom mid-late June, peaking in July. 2025 entry fee TBC.
Mayfield Lavender Farm, 1 Carshalton Lane, Banstead, SM7 3JA.
The farm also has a nursery and farm shop based in Epsom and open year-round, with a cafe serving a lavender cream tea.
Castle Farm Lavender and The Hop Shop, Sevenoaks, Kent
If you've taken the train between Orpington and Sevenoaks during lavender season, you'll have seen the bright purple fields next to the railway. They're part of the extensive Castle Farm empire, which is the largest producer of lavender in the UK — so naturally, they have a LOT going on during lavender season. Think guided tours through the fields and lavender distillery, picnics among the flowers, and self-guided walks with plenty of photo opportunities. In previous years, they've even offered professional massages among the lavender, though they're not on offer in 2025.
The farm's 1,100 acres are spread all over this part of Kent, but the activity all takes place at Castle Farm near Shoreham. If you visit, sample the lavender ice cream available in the farm shop — delish.
Open to the public: The farm shop is open all year, but access to other parts of the farm is only available in lavender season, usually mid June-late July. Booking for the 2025 lavender season (19 June-27 July 2025) is now open. Guided tours from £14 adult/£7 child, lavender picnics from £13 adult/£6.50 child (bring your own picnic), lavender walks from £6 adult/£3.50 child.
Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7UB. The village of Otford, with its own solar system, is under 10 minutes drive away if you want to make a day of it, as is Lullingstone Castle and the World Garden.
Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire
If you want to know what 25 miles of lavender rows looks like, head to Hertfordshire and immerse yourself in the Hitchin Lavender fields, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.
Entry includes access to the fields, and can pick a bag of lavender to take home with you (extra charge, add it to your order when booking, bring your own scissors). Lunches, cakes and drinks are available to buy in the cafe in the 17th century barn, which stays open late on Thursday nights serving special sharing platters, with admission to the fields included.
There's a small museum on site (free entry), with a replica of the Perks & Llewellyn pharmacy, well-known in the 19th century for its lavender products. Professional photography is permitted, at an extra cost.
If you can tear your eyes away from the lavender for a minute or two, the hillside location of the farm offers views over the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire countryside.
Open to the public: Lavender fields open 21 June-17 August 2025. Tickets from £8.91 adult/£6.91 child, can be booked in advance. The barn, play area and museum are all open during lavender season — free entry, no booking required.
Hitchin Lavender, Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hertfordshire, SG5 3UA.
Finchingfield Camping and Lavender, Essex
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Towards the north of Essex, Finchingfield is home to a camping and glamping site located in a wildflower meadow, with its own micro lavender farm on site.
Campers can visit the lavender field at any time during their stay — which means you can spend your evening, including sunset, immersed in the purple hues, before returning to your luxury tent for a lavender-induced snooze. Not much of a camper? A limited number of day visitor tickets are available for each day during the lavender season, and there's also a call-out for volunteers to help with the lavender harvest at the end of the season. There's a cafe on site selling snacks and drinks to visitors. No dogs allowed. The nearby village of Finchingfield is pretty darn picturesque too.
Finchingfield Camping and Lavender, Howe Street, Finchingfield, Essex, CM7 4JB. 2025 details TBC, keep an eye on the website for details.
Lavender Fields at Hartley Park Farm, Alton, Hampshire
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For a grand day out in the opposite direction, head to the Lavender Fields at Hartley Park Farm. Visiting the lavender itself is usually restricted to certain open days, when you can stroll through the seven varieties being grown, as well as a wildflower field. The rest of the time, the lavender shop is open to the public, and there's a coffee shop too, but no access to the fields.
Open to the public: Open from 16 June 2025.
Lavender Fields at Hartley Park Farm, Selborne Road, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3HP
Lordington Lavender, Chichester, West Sussex
10 acres of Maillette lavender are grown at Lordington Lavender in the South Downs each year, though open days to visit the field are restricted to just one week in July. On these days anyone (and their dog) is welcome to walk among the lavender and take photos, as well as enjoying tea and cake overlooking the fields.
There are also a couple of adults-only evening events, where you can enjoy food and drink among the lavender as the sun sets.
Lordington Lavender, Lordington, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9DX. Open days 10-14 July 2024, no ticket required.
London's lavender patch: Vauxhall Park
Did you know there's a lavender garden in central London, just five minutes walk from a Tube station? Vauxhall Park has a few rows of the purple plant, with plenty of room to walk between them, and space around them for a picnic. Also look out for the lavender-themed commemorative fountain nearby, as well as the model village.
Within London, Kennington Park and Kew Gardens are also home to pockets of lavender — ideal if you're looking to inhale the heady scent without making a full day trip. There's also a one-off lavender harvest in Carshalton on 26-27 July 2025.
