Take in the sights and smells of the British countryside by visiting some of the country's most beautiful lavender fields. With the fullest blooms occurring from June to August, we've compiled some of our favourite purple fields you can easily visit while you're in the UK. Don't forget to take a fragrant souvenir home with you as many of the lavender farms will also sell homemade products such as essential oils and natural cosmetics.
Southwest England
Cotswold Lavender - Cotswold Hills
Where: Hill Barn Farm, Snow Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JY
When: June to August, daily 10am to 5pm
Entry: Admission fee
How: Best reached by car, about 2.5 hours' drive from London
Somerset Lavender - near Bath
Where: Somerset Lavender, Horsepond Farm, Faulkland, Somerset BA3 5WA
When: May to September, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm
Entry: Free
How: About 20 minutes by car, or 1 hour by bus from Bath
Southeast England
Mayfield Lavender - North Surrey Hills
Where: Hartley Park Farm, Selborne Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 3HP
When: 1 June to 14 September 2016, daily from 9am to 6pm
Entry: Admission fee
How: By train from London Victoria to East Croydon, then hop on bus 166 to the stop "Oaks Park" in Carshalton Road (the whole trip takes about an hour)
Hitchin Lavender - Hertfordshire
Where: Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3UA
When: May to September, daily 10am to 5pm
Entry: Admission fee
How: By train from London King's Cross station to Hitchin Station (the trip takes about an hour), then get a taxi to the lavender field (it will cost approximately £8 each way)
Norfolk Lavender - Norfolk, East Anglia
Where: Caley Mill, Norfolk Lavender, Lynn Rd, Heacham PE31 7JE
When: Open year-round, but the best time is from May to August
Entry: Free
How: By train from London King's Cross station to King's Lynn, then get a taxi to Norfolk Lavender
Kentish Lavender - Kent
Where: Castle Farm, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7UB
When: Open daily all year round, but best lavender season generally mid June - end of July. Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm
Entry: Free. Lavender tours £5/6 per person
How: Best reached by car, about 50 minutes' drive from London
Northern England
Yorkshire Lavender - York
Where: Yorkshire Lavender, Terrington, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 6PB
When: Daily apart from winter months 10am to 5pm
Entry: Free
How: About 30 minutes by car from York or an hour by bus 180 towards Castle Howard
