KENT, ENGLAND
The setting sun casts an orange tint on lavender blossoms in Kent
From mid-June to early August, fields at Castle Farm in northwest Kent burst into a purple, perfumed 90-acre sea of fresh lavender. Harvesting peaks in July, and it’s at this time of year that the farm’s Hop Shop springs into action with a wonderful seasonal series of lavender-loaded activities. Get the lowdown on lavender production on an expert-led guided tour of the fields and distillery, or bring a picnic to tuck into at sunset in the scented fields, then stock up on lavender-infused shortbread, chocolates, ice cream, honey, cakes and teas, all made with the farm’s own produce. For the ultimate lavender-fuelled experience, book ahead for an open-air aromatherapy massage – which happens, rather uniquely, under a parasol out in the middle of the fields.