With those stunning summer evenings fast approaching, there’s no better time to draw up a list of places you want to visit. While we all want to watch the most beautiful sunsets in tranquil surroundings, we don’t need to jet off to another country.
In fact, we don’t even need to leave Kent, as there is a picturesque location that’s a must-visit this summer. Just outside Sevenoaks, you’re able to take a tour of fields filled with the fragrant flowers on an idyllic day out.
Nestled in the north Kent countryside is a little piece of Provence. A patchwork of purple covers the land from late June until the end of July as the lavender fields at Castle Farm in the village of Shoreham burst into bloom.
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At more than 1,000 acres, it is the largest of its kind in the country and is adored by Maidstone girl Kelly Brook, who has often promoted it on the likes of ITV‘s This Morning. According to florist Interflora, it is also beloved by Instagrammers. Users of the platform have ranked it the sixth most Instagrammed flower spot in the UK.
They said: “Castle Farm in Kent is home to some of the UK’s best lavender fields. In the summer months, the lavender fields are open to visitors who can visit the burst of colour across the Kent landscape. The farm also harvests and extracts pure lavender oil to make their lavender scented products.”

(Image: Lorna Roberts / Thomas Alexander Photography for Castle Farm)
In normal times you can take a tour through its rows of purple flowers and immerse yourself in the vibrant haze of colour and its glorious scent. Castle Farm has been in the same family for more than a century and over several generations.
The lavender fields were established by current farmers William and Caroline Alexander about 20 years ago. Their daughter, Lorna Roberts, who also works at the farm, previously said: “We love seeing visitors enjoying the beautiful views of the valley and taking people on our Castle Farm lavender tours so they can learn the story behind the spectacular purple fields.
“We often find that after discovering us due to the lavender, visitors come back again later in the year for our pick-your-own apples and home-grown pumpkins.”
When can I tour the fields of Castle Farm Lavender?

(Image: Lorna Roberts / Stephanie Hunter for Castle Farm)
The lavender fields start to colour up in late June. Guided tours of the lavender fields at Castle Farm usually start around that time too.
The tours usually run until the farmers harvest the flowers for their oil at the end of July, when the plants are still at their purple-flowering peak. There will still be plenty to enjoy once the farm reopens this summer.

(Image: Lorna Roberts / Thomas Alexander Photography for Castle Farm)
You will also be able to walk around the lavender rows, take in the view from the top of the field, enjoy the peaceful scent and take photos on the lovely lavender bench. No picnics or commercial photography are allowed.
Dates, prices and ticketing information is yet to be announced.
Where is Castle Farm?

(Image: Lorna Roberts / Thomas Alexander Photography for Castle Farm)
Where : Castle Farm, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, TN14 7UB.
How to find it : Castle Farm Lavender and The Hop Shop is on the A225, halfway between the two villages of Shoreham and Eynsford in Kent.
Find out more at: hopshop.co.uk
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