Hitchin Lavender Farm

It's summer! Which means Lavender summer season is happening in Europe! Earlier on during my studies I'd always dreamt of going to the fields in Aix En Provence, but the timing never quite happened. Luckily enough, the UK has plenty of beautiful flowering fields too. There are two famous ones near London - Mayfield Lavender Farm and Hitchin Lavender Farm. I've been to both and would suggest Hitchin any day. It's a bit further out, but it's got both Lavender AND Sunflowers, and is much bigger :) Plus, the lavender ice cream there is to die for..... 

There are very few times in my life that has felt like stepping into a surreal painting. My first visit to the Hitchin Lavender felt like one of these times, when I first saw the hill of scented purple flowers spreading all landscape, and, right next to them, the field of sunflowers. All over the place there were people picking the flowers and taking photos, I could hear the buzzing bees, people laughing, and above all that, the overwhelming, sweet aroma of these blooms.  

Our activities that day were straight out of a summer storybook - walking around the flower fields, picking some stalks for safekeeping, admiring the plants and taking lots and lots of photos, before settling down for an evening picnic right next to the lavenders. Two things surprised me that day - that the scent of natural lavender is so strong and dreamy, and the absolute deliciousness of Hitchin's lavender ice cream. These are such simple ingredients to a really memorable trip - good company, good food, and such a breathtaking place. 

Ahh I wish I could bottle up the scent. 

The Hitchin farm is located outside of London. There's a train service from King's Cross to Hitchin Station, and from there it's best to get an Uber (it'll cost about 8 pounds). We were there last August and drove up from London in a car. The entrance is about £6 per adult and it's open from 10am to about 6pm. You're free to collect as much flowers as you can that can fit in a paper bag that they give you upon entry (can pay for extra bags also). I'm not sure if it matters what time you get there, as long as it's a couple of hours before closing time so you can really enjoy the fields. Make sure to check the weather before you go, and bring some food so you can have a picnic! :) 

You can find out more information for Hitchin Lavender farm here: Hitchin Lavender Web