Now that summer staycations are a thing, why not take advantage of Lavender season and visit one of the lovely dog-friendly Lavender fields near London with your dog?
Acres of sweet-smelling Lavender await and these idyllic fields lend themselves to be stunning backdrops for unique memories and those oh so Instagrammable photos.
The Lavender is usually in full bloom between the end of June and August, but this is, of course, weather dependent. Turns out that due to a frosty spring, the Lavender is blooming later than normal this year, so there you’ve still got time to see it.
You will probably be aware of dog-friendly Mayfield Lavender Field just south of London which we featured last summer on the blog. But did you know there are actually more dog-friendly Lavender fields near London that you can visit with your pup too?
We’ll tell you all about them as well as any special post-lockdown booking restrictions you need to know about in this guide to enjoy these lovely dog-friendly Lavender fields near London…
Mayfield Lavender Farm
A firm favourite during Lavender season thanks to the plethora of photo opportunities on offer. Set amongst the rows of purple Lavender you’ll not only find a gorgeous pergola to pose in but also an airstream carrier and a traditional red phone box sitting in the middle of the 25 acres of Lavender.
- When: Until 31 August // 9am – 6pm daily
- Visiting in Summer 2020: There are no special booking restrictions this year, but weekday visits are strongly recommended to avoid crowds.
- Best time to visit to see the Lavender: Normally the end of June to August but this year, the Lavender was late to bloom at the end of the first week of July. Harvesting will be at the end of August.
- Where: 1 Carshalton Rd, Banstead SM7 3JA
- Entry: Entry costs £4 per adult and entry is free for children under 16. Car Parking is also free.
- Lavender Field Pup Etiquette: Mayfield asks that you keep your pet on a lead at all times and pick-up any mess after your dog.
- Getting There By Car: Driving to the farm is the easiest option, and there is parking on site which is included in your entry fee. If you live in South West London, it will take about 35 minutes to get there. From Central London, it’s about 15 miles so expect about an hours drive.
- Getting There By Public Transport: There are several options for public transport by taking the train from London Victoria or London Bridge and then taking a bus or walking. See more public transport information on the Mayfield Lavender Farm website.
Best for: Those phone box in the Lavender field shots you never knew you had to have.
Castle Farm Lavender Fields
Holding the title of the UK’s largest Lavender farm at 1,100 acres is Castle Farm in Sevenoaks, located halfway between the two villages of Shoreham and Eynsford about an hours drive from London.
- When: Until the end of July // 10am – 5pm Wednesday to Sunday and on some days evening slots will be available with the last bookable slot being 7pm.
- Visiting in Summer 2020: This year access is only via a pre-booked time slot for either Lavender Field Walks or Lavender Picnics to allow safe social distancing. However, the Picnics are not dog-friendly, so it will be Lavender Walks only for pup parents. Slots book up quickly, so be quick – book here. There will also be no toilet facilities available this year.
- Best time to visit to see the Lavender: Normally the end of June to August but this year, the Lavender was late to bloom at the end of the first week of July. Harvesting will be at the end of July.
- Where: Redmans Ln, Sevenoaks TN14 7UB
- Entry: Lavender Walks are £4.25 per adult, £2.75 per child (5yrs-15yrs), free under 5’s (no ticket required for under 5’s) and each ticket gives you access for 45 minutes.
- Lavender Field Pup Etiquette: Castle Farm asks that you keep your pet on a lead at all times and pick-up any mess after your dog.
- Getting There By Car: The farm is down a private drive off the A225, use postcode TN14 7UB for satnavs.
- Getting There By Public Transport: There are stations at Eynsford and Shoreham, both of which are 1.5 miles from the farm along the A225. For buses, Go2 provide a request bus service along the A225 to a bus stop at the top of the farm driveway. More details on the Castle Farm website.
Best for: An immersive experience with Lavender as far as you can see.
Hitchin Lavender Fields
North of London in the village of Ickleford is Hitchin Lavender Field with about 30 acres of fragrant Lavender to enjoy. The farm also has fields of gorgeous Sunflowers too, which are in full flower from mid-August.
- When: Until mid-late August // 9am – 8pm daily
- Visiting in Summer 2020: Visits are by 2-hour bookable slots to be able to stagger visitors, book here. Picnics are allowed and there are refreshments available on site.
- Best time to visit to see the Lavender: Full bloom is expected from mid-July until mid-late August.
- Where: Cadwell Farm, Arlesey Rd, Ickleford, Hitchin SG5 3UA
- Entry: Entry costs £6 per adult and entry is free for children under 5.
- Lavender Field Pup Etiquette: Hitchin Lavender Field asks that you keep your pet on a lead at all times and pick-up any mess after your dog. Also, dogs aren’t allowed up the rows of Lavender but there is a footpath so you can reach the top of the fields.
- Getting There By Car: You’ll find Hitchin Lavender Field 2 miles north of Hitchin in Ickleford. North Londoners who have a car can get there in under an hour.
- Getting There By Public Transport: About 1-1.5 hours taking the train from St Pancras, followed by a bus and a short walk. More details on the Hitchin Lavender website.
Best for: North Londoners who have a car.
