Lavender Walk

July/August are the prime times to luxuriate in the heady perfume and glorious colour of Lavender Fields in full bloom, so do join me for a pleasant circular walk (total approx. 3 miles) to/from Woodmansterne Rail Station - zone 6 - to visit, have lunch and explore the 25 acres of MAYFIELD LAVENDER FIELDS.

The walk to/from the Lavender Fields is on pretty woodland/country pathways so comfortable shoes are helpful, and altho' there is a bit of a huff and puff (for some of us!) up a hill at the very start of the walk and 2 stiles en route back, the rest is very pleasant and unchallenging.

Please do check the Trainline website for accurate info on the day, https://www.thetrainline.com/ but I suggest either the 11.46 am direct train from London Bridge arriving Woodmansterne at 12.24pm or the 11.39 from Victoria, change at Purley arrives Woodmansterne at 12.24pm.
I’ll meet you on the platform on arrival.

==================================================================
Lavender Fields are usually regarded as exotic, and associated with the open expanses of the South of France. However until the turn of the 20th century the low chalk hills to the south of London along the valley of the River Wandle were a centre of lavender growing, with a trade that easily rivalled its French competitors (Lavender Hill in Battersea is a reminder of this trade). The trade declined, partly because lavender went somewhat out of fashion in the 20th Century, but also because the growth of suburban London meant that the land became worth more when sold for development.

However, in recent years there has been something of a revival of simple and natural ingredients, and in 2002 MAYFIELD LAVENDER revived commercial lavender growing on a site in the London Borough of Sutton, close to Banstead.

The farm had been used for lavender growing in the 18th and 19th Centuries, and had escaped being built on due to the creation of the 'Green Belt' around London after the Second World War.

This family run organic farm grows three types of English lavender, 'Folgate', 'Mailette', and a hybrid variety, 'Grosso' which flower at slightly different times. The farm also has a shop and cafe, which sell products made from the organic lavender grown on the farm - in fact just about anything you could creatively wish for based on - guess what - Lavender! eg. fudge, tea, shortbread, lemonade, soap, lavender oils and lavender plants etc.... Luverley! Entry to the farm is £2 pp. and a variety of refreshments are available.
*****************************************************************************
After our visit we'll be taking a different walking route to the pretty Surrey village of Woodmansterne and if the group wish to, we can call into the attractive "Woodman" pub for refreshments before taking the train back to London.

my mobile: 0785 7931 296