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 that are easy to visit while in the UK. Don't forget to take a fragrant souvenir home with you; many of the lavender farms sell homemade products such as essential oils and natural cosmetics.
South-west England
Cotswold Lavender - Cotswold Hills
Where: Hill Barn Farm, Snow Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire WR12 7JY
When: 8 June to 4 August, daily 10am to 5pm
Entry: £4 for adults and £2 for children
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: 1 May to 30 September, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm
Entry: Free
How: About 20 minutes by car, or 1 hour by bus from Bath
South-east England
Mayfield Lavender - North Surrey Hills
Where: 1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, SM7 3JA
When: Daily from 1 June to 1 September
Entry: £2.50 for adults
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: Mid-June to mid-August, daily 9:30am to 5pm (open till 10pm on Tuesdays and Fridays)
Entry: £6 for adults and £3 for children
How: By train from London King's Cross station to Hitchin (the trip takes about an hour), then get a taxi (approximately £8 each way) to the lavender field
Norfolk Lavender - Norfolk
Where: Caley Mill, Norfolk Lavender, Lynn Rd, Heacham PE31 7JE
When: Open year-round, but the best time is between June and 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 you'll generally find the most beautiful blooms from mid June until the end of July. Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm
Entry: Free. Lavender tours from £7.50 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: 23 March to 29 September, 10am to 5pm daily
Entry: Free
How: About 30 minutes by car from York or an hour by bus 180 towards Castle Howard
