You must have seen them on the socials, acres of colourful lavender fields full of ethereal models and laughing children. Lavender farms have exploded in popularity over the last few years due to the rise of platforms like facebook and instagram. And this summer we decided we wanted a piece of the action. The Midlands has a few fields like this, Snowshill Lavender Farm, Cotswolds is one of the best.
We combined our visit to the Lavender fields with a trip to Snowshill Manor which is a gorgeous National Trust property just ten minutes drive away. And also had a wander around the pretty village of Snowshill which is possibly the prettiest village in the Midlands!
It’s not all about pretty pictures for Instagram though. The Cotswolds Lavender fields are a working farm so they do harvest the flowers when they reach their peak. But this does mean they strive to grow the perfect flowers, you’ll see plenty of purple loveliness for your pictures. The farm grows over forty types of lavender. Next to the main entrance you’ll see the different varieties and what they are called. I never realised how different in colour each type could be.
For the best pictures I recommend walking as far as you can to the top of the hill. It tends to get quieter the higher you go so you can mainly avoid anyone else in your shots. The views from the top of the vibrant fields are lovely but I also suggest taking some close up shots.
The farm also grows camomile which is a pretty yellow and white flower used in sleeping aids and herbal teas.
I got so many questions about the smell of the fields when I posted on Instagram. In all honesty it doesn’t smell as lavendery as I would have thought. Whilst still lovely, to me it was pretty woody, obviously becoming more intense the further into the fields we went.
It goes without saying bees, wasps and various other flying creatures love the lavender fields as much as we do. As you walk through the crops you’ll hear a low level buzzing. My daughter was a little nervous as she has a fear of wasps but she did overcome it to get up close to the plants. We waded through the rows and none of us were stung.
Essential info for visiting the Lavender Fields
If you want to visit a Lavender Farm you need to plan your visit carefully. The Cotswolds Lavender Farm tends to open in mid June and you can normally visit until the end of July. Do make sure you check the website for dates and book your timed slot if required.
Parking for the Lavender Farm is in a large field next to the entrance. We visited during times requiring social distancing so parked well away from the main entrance and laid out our picnic blankets for lunch before our visit. The views of the surrounding Cotswold countryside were just breathtaking.
There are porta loo style toilets near the main entrance although we didn’t use these as the queues were pretty long.
If you don’t want the faff of packing your own picnic, there is a small cafe located in the fields, again the queues can be fairly big so order your drinks and snacks as early as possible. As you would expect they sell many lavender varieties, you really must try the lavender flapjack.
When we visited tickets were just £4 each. You can spend as long as you like in the fields and obviously take as many photos and videos as you need. We were there for around an hour but would probably have stayed longer if my Dad hadn’t started to look so bored.
Getting to Cotswolds Lavender Farm
The fields are located in a pretty remote part of the Cotswolds. Fairly close to Broadway, another delightful Cotswold Village.
Hill Barn Farm,
Snowshill,
Broadway,
Worcestershire
WR12 7JY
Pop the postcode in your Sat Nav and it should get you close enough. Then just follow the signs to the entrance.
For another great day outdoors in the Cotswolds you could head to the Cotswold Sculpture Park near Cirencester, a little further south.
Make sure you pin for planning your visit to a Lavender Farm in the Cotswolds.
