Friday, June 20, 2025

Lavender Fields and Calm at Castle Farm

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

Summer has finally arrived in England and it's lavender season! As temperatures eased towards 30°c this weekend, we took advantage of the blue skies and sunshine and headed out to Castle Farm in Kent.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

Castle Farm, a family-run farm near Shoreham, hosts its annual lavender season each year from mid-June to late July. The first time I visited Castle Farm, I took the guided tour and learned all about the distillery process and the difference between lavender and lavandin.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

On this occasion, we opted to simply explore the lavender fields and lose ourselves in their tranquility.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

I certainly needed it! May was a very difficult month for us here in Kent. My 18-month old cat Poppy went missing for 21 days and it was only after a relentless campaign of posters and leafleting that I managed to track her down again. Thank goodness for my local community who kept me updated with sightings of her!

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

It's strange how mental health works though. I seemed to cope just fine while Poppy was missing, only to fall apart when I got her back. She was very thin after losing a third of her bodyweight but a visit to the vet told us she was miraculously okay otherwise.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

Visiting the lavender fields and taking a moment to breathe it all in really helped.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

There is nothing quite like connecting with nature to soothe the soul and heal our hearts.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

That feeling of breathing in deeply and taking a long, controlled breath out is like nothing else.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

And relax...

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

The scent of the lavender is so heady. It is not overpowering, unless you're a drunken bumblebee in which case it certainly is!

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

Poppies for my Poppy.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

After pottering about in the field and gazing into the distance, we headed back to the Castle Farm shop to buy a lavender gin and tonic. We also bought some lavender products to take home including lavender cookies, lemonade and sleepy time tea.

Castle Farm Lavender fields in full bloom, Kent, England

Having worked up an appetite, we drove through to Eynsford for lunch at the Plough restaurant. Being such a lovely day, it was no surprise that the Eynsford riverside was full of families enjoyed picnics and paddling in the ford.

In the mood for more Bloom Scrolling? You might also enjoy reading about my first visit to Castle Farm.

Did you know that Poppy and her pack are on Instagram? You can follow Pebbles & the Chaos Kittens for cuteness and feline escapades!

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16 comments

  1. I love flavoured gins, but I have never seen or tasted a lavender gin and tonic. What did you think of the taste and the colour?

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    1. It was very subtle - really just a hint of lavender in the gin itself. Very refreshing

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  2. I'm so glad you got your cat back!I tried lavender ice-cream but never lavender gin. How is it?

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    1. I'm so glad too! It was a tough time when she was missing!

      The lavender gin was lovely - very subtle

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  3. Quelle merveille ta page , il ne manque plus que les senteurs
    Je suis ravie que tu es pu retrouver ton chat ..et ta paix interieure dans cette sortie , la lavande ne peut qu'apaiser les sens ..
    Bonne journée à toi

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    1. Merci ! Je suis tellement soulagée d'avoir retrouvé mon chat ; c'était une période difficile. Mais nous allons tous mieux maintenant.

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  4. I am so glad you found Poppy and I hope she is fully recovered from her ordeal. I hope you are feeling better too.

    The lavender fields look amazing, I love the ladybird detail in the first photo.

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    1. Thank you! She is doing very well, although it is a slow process putting the weight back on in a controlled, healthy manner.

      And thank you. I liked that ladybird too

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  5. a fantastic place, so much beauty all around and you picked a lovely day, Mandy!

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    1. It was just wonderful Ayush. A lovely day for it, as you say

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  6. What a beautiful sight :) http://www.mariesconnections.com/

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  7. I'm so happy that you found Poppy again. It must have been heartbreaking when she was missing. Your photos are lovely and there's nothing quite like the sight of a lavender field. We actually have one very near here, but it's just one field, unlike in Provence where there are hundreds of them. And of course I have some in my garden.... :-)

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    1. I would love to explore Province in spring and summer. I once explored a rapeseed field in Spring in Normandy and that was a truly uplifting experience

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  8. I am glad you found Poppy again. I really am positive amazed by the fact that there are lavender fields in England. If I would not have know better, this is in the Provence. Friends of ours just came back from there and it is always a delight. I am sure also the English lavender smells out of this world.
    Great series again :)
    Have a wonderful day.

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    1. Visiting Provence is one of my biggest dreams! Did you know that England also has a burgeoning wine trade?

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