A Day Trip To The Mayfield Lavender Farm

Having read a couple of blog posts about the amazing London day trips to the surrounding countryside and escaping the city, I felt inspired. One sunny Saturday afternoon it was time to venture out by myself. I packed my camera and a good book for an adventure trip to the outskirts of London, namely to the Mayfield Lavender Farm in Banstead/Surrey.

How to get to the Mayfield Lavender Farm From London?

My day trip to the Mayfield Lavender Farm literally took all day. You can use the tube and overground or a direct train from Waterloo. From my home in City Airport, I took first the DLR to Canning Town.  Then I changed into the Jubilee Line to Canada Water and took the Overground to Croydon. Once I’ve arrived at the station, I walked 10 minutes to the bus stop. Waited nearly 20 minutes for the 166 bus and was then on a 50-minute ride to the Farm.

Told you this is a bit of a long journey so definitely bring your book!

The change in Croydon was especially time-consuming because the bus stops aren’t very well signposted. The one I needed was in a side street approximately 500 metres away from the Overground station.

The bus journey itself was actually pretty nice as the route goes straight out of Croydon via Purley Hills into the countryside. The further you got away from the urban space leaving the London bubble behind, the prettier the houses and tranquil the neighbourhoods became – and then you’ve found yourself driving down this wonderful leafy alley – a typical English country lane with wild vegetation on both sides and the beauty of purple lavender peeking through its lush greenery every so often.

Recharging & Highlights at the Lavender Farm

After my 2h world trip, I’ve arrived at the Mayfield Lavender Farm which could have easily been an untouched spot in the French Provence. It was so cool. Perfect weather and only a handful of people meant I had the fields nearly entirely to myself. Oh, hello solitude!

At first, I wasn’t so sure for how long I would stay at this place and if the time investment of coming here was really worth it, but then I started to take off my shoes and walked barefoot in the grass. It felt great! The warm summer breeze would take a subtle smell of lavender to my nose and the soft humming sounds of bees to my ear.

I could feel the sun on my face, the soft rustling of wind through the lavender and the occasional screech of a falcon (sadly no swallows) and it felt like I was back home in Germany, at my parent’s house in the countryside enjoying the best time of the year in harmony with nature – yeah, a Central European Summer is something I really miss.

Anyway, I ended up spending 2h at the Lavender Farm roaming its rows of blossoming lavender, attempting to take pictures with my mini tripod and remote control or just sitting in the sun watching the wildlife around me or reflecting on my thoughts. It was very relaxing, quiet and the smell of lavender felt therapeutic to my stressed out soul. I went in the first week of June and the place was already stunning. Can you imagine what it must look like later in the summer when the rows are in full blossom?

Another highlight of my little trip included their own farm café which sells next to afternoon tea a wide range of lavender-infused snacks and food as well as local produce. I treated myself to a lavender scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream and their 100% apple juice. My lavender tea time was one of the nicest I’ve ever had.

The journey back to London felt shorter, although it took the same amount of travelling time as before. I felt so much more relaxed. Venturing out of my usual radius of London had the same effect as if I had gone on a short holiday.

Final Thoughts On My Day Trip to the Mayfield Lavender Farm

I’ve been really tired of London lately and its hectic lifestyle is getting to me. All I’ve been craving was a bit of space to myself for some much needed “Me time”. Places for seeking solitude and getting an inch to breathe are hard to find in a megacity such as London – not quite! They do exist if you’re willing to invest a bit of time and are up for an adventure to visit these places.

Thanks for reading. If you’d like to support my blog & research you ca do so via Buy Me a Coffee.

Till next time,
Carolin

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