The evenings are getting lighter, the temperature’s getting warmer, and the flowers are blooming, which can only mean one thing: spring is here.
Frolicking around a flower field is the ultimate way to welcome in the warmth, but you needn’t travel to the tulip fields of the Netherlands to achieve that: some of the most beautiful flower fields on earth are right here in the UK.
In fact, one spot is less than one hour away from London. Hitchin Lavender Farm in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, dazzles visitors each year not only with its stunning lavender fields, but with its sunflowers, too.
The perfect day trip for Londoners, Hitchin is approximately 30 minutes by train from London King’s Cross. The farm is a nine-minute drive from the station.
Run by a local family for more than five generations, Cadwell Farm, the home of Hitchin Lavender, has been in operation for over 120 years.
In 2000, the farm decided to experiment with lavender planting. Though a new adventure for Cadwell Farm specifically, it had been trialled nearby, as Hitchin has a long history of lavender growing dating back to the 16th century.
Initially, the lavender was to become part of the farm’s agricultural business, but as photos of the plush purple fields began to appear in both the local and national press, it became increasingly clear that visitors were eager to explore themselves.
Fast forward to now and thousands of visitors from across the world make the pilgrimage to the farm each year, which has been ranked the tenth most beautiful flower field in the world, according to new research from Premier Inn.
With over 30 acres of lavender, the farm has a designated field to pick from (the other one is for viewing purposes only). The main flowering season is between mid-June and late August, and likewise, for a small fee, you can pick your own (frankly giant) sunflowers.
You needn’t wait until June to see the flowers in bloom, though: between May and October, the fresh flower area is open, presenting a gorgeous mix of Dahlias, Cornflowers, Strawflowers, Nigellas, Cosmos, Zinnias and Astrantia.
And it isn’t just rows upon rows of sunflowers and lavender that you can see: the farm’s film initiative, Sundown Cinema, shows classic films on a huge screen.
In the past, film fanatics, camping chairs and flasks in hand, have flocked to watch the likes of Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Top Gun amidst the picturesque rural backdrop.
Likewise, the farm houses a 17th-century barn serving hot food, drinks and homemade cakes, as well as two field shops stocking products made from Hitchin lavender, including body oils, bath salts and shampoo.
Hitchin Lavender isn’t the only UK spot to make the list: Castle Farm Lavender Field in Kent has been going since 1892, and it made fourteenth place.
Similarly opening in June, it offers guided lavender tours, lavender picnics and field walks. Between August and September, it also hosts hop season (used in beer), and later on, pick your own apple and pumpkin season.
See you in the flower fields!
The world’s most beautiful flower fields, according to Premier Inn
- Torres del Paine National Park Daisy Flower Field, Chile
- Monet’s Garden at Giverny, France
- Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Colorado, USA
- The Butchart Gardens, British Columbia, Canada
- Mainau Island, Germany
- Wild Lupins Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
- Kaas Plateau, India
- Bluebonnet Fields in Ennis, Texas, USA
- Hallerbos Bluebell Forest, Belgium
- Hitchin Lavender Farm for Sunflowers, Hertfordshire, UK
- Campo de Fiori di Castelluccio, Italy
- Kawachi Wisteria Garden, Japan
- Dalat Flower Gardens, Vietnam
- Castle Farm Lavender Field, Kent, UK
- Ashikaga Flower Park, Japan.
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