Visitors can expect ‘beautiful vibrant hues of lavender and the most glorious perfume’
Londoners can immerse themselves in a plush purple paradise this summer as a 110-acre lavender farm prepares to open its gates this month.
Castle Farm in Shoreham, Kent, describes itself as the UK’s largest Lavender farm and it plans to open its gates for the season on around June 19, when fragrant flowers are expected to bloom, and will remain open all through July.
Tickets for its lavender field walks are priced at £7 for adults (over 16) and £4.50 for children aged up to 15, while small children aged under three can go for free. The walks include an indulgent stroll in the farm’s luscious folgate lavender and lavandin fields, as well as a chance for selfies on the lavender bench, with beautiful views across the Darenth Valley.
Families wishing to bring their own picnics can do so, but the prices double at £14 for adults and £7 for children. Premium experiences such as guided tours, wreath workshops and harp evenings are also on offer throughout this summer.
Castle Farm has a shop on site, including beauty and home products with extracted lavender from the site, as well as other artisan gifts.
One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “Castle Farm was a fantastic few hours out for our family of five—two adults and three kids! The Folgate Lavender Field was a stunner, with endless rows of fragrant flowers and cracking views across the Darenth Valley.
“The kids had a blast playing bug detective, chasing bees, grasshoppers, and ladybugs through the lavender. The Lavender Bench was a hit for our family snap, though getting all three kids to sit still was a proper mission!”
Another wrote: “What a perfect day. Three generations of our family walking in the glorious lavender fields at Castle Farm. The fragrance, the colour, the sounds, the bees, the butterflies – it was simply gorgeous.
“We enjoyed lavender ice cream, and lavender gin and tonic as we wandered. And drove home with our car smelling of all the lavender we purchased at the shop after our walk. Next time, I’d like to experience the walk at sunset…”
Driving from London to Castle Farm takes between half an hour and an hour depending upon which part of the city, with motorists turning from the M25 onto the M20 near Swanley before a second turn Eynsford High Street.
To travel by train, passengers can access a one-hour rail journey from London Bridge to Eynsford. The farm is around a 30-minute walk from Eynsford station or a short taxi ride.
Lavender fields at Castle Farm in Shoreham, Kent are expected to open from June 19 to July 31.
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