If only scratch and sniff was a thing on computers, you guys would be clawing away at your screens right now to get a chance to experience the overdose of this lavender.
Mayfield Lavender Farm is a farm in Banstead, that grows 25 acres of lavender crops and is open from June to September every year to the public. You've probably seen a few photographs of people you follow on Instagram frolicking through a sea of lavender thinking they're probably in Provence, whereas the reality is they were all most likely here - only about 15 miles from central London.
It has been a popular Insta spot this summer and for day trips, but what a lot of people don't know about Mayfield Lavender Farm is that there is a rather inspiring story behind how the farm got to where it is today. A story about a man and his pursuit for something he believed in.
It has been a popular Insta spot this summer and for day trips, but what a lot of people don't know about Mayfield Lavender Farm is that there is a rather inspiring story behind how the farm got to where it is today. A story about a man and his pursuit for something he believed in.
This span of purple wonderfulness is the brain child of a man called Brendan Maye - hence the name Mayfield - who had the vision to revive lavender growing and leased the land from Sutton council in 2002. The field was planted in the first year and a half but then tragedy descended as crows and magpies pulled all the 70,000 newly planted lavender plugs out of the ground. This however didn't deter Maye and he went straight back into replanting the next year.
If that wasn't enough, three years later, the business that had originally sponsored the programme was sold and no longer continued to support the farm. Failing to find another sponsor, Maye decided to purchase the farm himself. This gave Maye direct influence over the farm with the ability to change the name and really hone in on making this a family brand by getting his wife Lorna involved, who learned how to harvest the lavender along with the logistics of coordinating the whole operation and sales etc. Today, both Brendan and Lorna manage the farm full time and employ 35 seasonal workers. Maintaining the farm takes a lot of elbow grease as they do not use chemicals which means they have to weed the whole field by hand! This gives them the opportunity to be able to make and sell a full range of products including bath and body products, home fragrances, lavender chocolate, tea and shortbread, organic essential oils, scented candles and tied bunches of freshly cut lavender straight from the farm.
If that wasn't enough, three years later, the business that had originally sponsored the programme was sold and no longer continued to support the farm. Failing to find another sponsor, Maye decided to purchase the farm himself. This gave Maye direct influence over the farm with the ability to change the name and really hone in on making this a family brand by getting his wife Lorna involved, who learned how to harvest the lavender along with the logistics of coordinating the whole operation and sales etc. Today, both Brendan and Lorna manage the farm full time and employ 35 seasonal workers. Maintaining the farm takes a lot of elbow grease as they do not use chemicals which means they have to weed the whole field by hand! This gives them the opportunity to be able to make and sell a full range of products including bath and body products, home fragrances, lavender chocolate, tea and shortbread, organic essential oils, scented candles and tied bunches of freshly cut lavender straight from the farm.
Brendan and Lorna have noticed a real shift in the number of visitors they've been receiving in the last four years from all across the world, thanks to the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, which has been vital for business and so encouraging for them to see. With an entry fee of only £2, it makes the farm a must see for families over the summer holidays. They also took ownership over an old plant nursery in Epsom which they spent 4 years resurrecting and is now a stunning plant nursery and gift shop full of lavender filled scented and infused goods.
What is it that hits you first about the farm? Well that my friends, is the potent smell of lavender that your senses get bombarded with and my-oh-my, it is glorious! Secondly, it is the quaint charm of the place. There really are no gimmicks or dramatics to make this place what it is, it does the job itself. There is by far nothing that could make this place look even more beautiful than it is. If bees aren't your thing, then maybe the farm isn't the pace for you as it's heaving with them. There was a lot of holding my dress to my legs in case any decided to venture up there as they mainly buzz about in and around the lavender at the same level as your legs. If you're fascinated by bees however, and want to learn more about them, then you can book on to join their bee safari. It is not just about the lavender here!
Not only is this a place of beauty, but there is something so special about a place tucked away in Surrey that every year brings so many people joy and wonder, all because of a man who refused to give up. We don't have many spaces like this in London so Mayfield Lavender Farm is a special place indeed. Who needs a summer holiday to the South of France when you you can just go South of London! What a way to be able to support a small family business as well. Go! Experience it, soak up the view, soak up the scent, buy someone a bunch of lavender for only £4 and one for yourself while you're at it too. (My dress still smells of Lavender).
They are now harvesting all the lavender and sadly most of the lavender has lost it's colour, but the farm will only be open until Sunday 2nd September! If you you can't get there, then check out my video below ↓
They are now harvesting all the lavender and sadly most of the lavender has lost it's colour, but the farm will only be open until Sunday 2nd September! If you you can't get there, then check out my video below ↓
Address: 1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, SM7 3JA, Google Maps
Entrance Fee: £2 for adults, free for children.
Website: https://www.mayfieldlavender.com
