Take a trip to the perfumed fields to see patches of mauves, indulge your senses or simply enjoy the historical harvest
Once famous for being the lavender ‘capital of the world’, the London Borough of Sutton’s Carshalton Beeches offers three acres of beautiful, aromatic lavender that is open to the public for a short time each year during the harvest weekend.
During this weekend – the last in July – you can pick your own lavender (for a small fee), wander the fields or purchase from the independent, boutique stalls lavender soaps, oils and bread.
Background
Blue fields could be seen across Waddon, Wallington, Carshalton and Sutton in 1990, and these locations were famed for their lavender.
In 1996, the Local Lavender Scheme was established, aimed at restoring the lavender industry of Carshalton and Mitcham.
Under the initiative, three acres of disused land were planted with Lavandula Intermedia and cuttings were collected from the gardens of local residents.
As such, the field was planted with cuttings from plants originating from the historic lavender fields of the Carshalton area, making the oil totally unique!
Today, you can visit Carshalton Beeches to pick your own lavender (different sizes cost different amounts) during the annual harvest to take home to create candles, decorations or just waft around your home!
What to see:
Lavender, lavender and more lavender
Be part of the centuries-old tradition of gathering at the harvest to cut the lavender and enjoy the natural surroundings with bees buzzing by and taking in the smells and sights.
When in flower, the field is a sea of Lavender blue, so creates some fantastic photo ops!
Stalls
Visit the stalls to buy lavender bread, lip balm, soap or oil, among other items.
You can also buy flavour-bursting jellies, jams and chutneys or buy honey from the local beekeepers.
The bottles of oil from squeezed lavender cost around £7 and can be used as a freshener or kept in the fridge during the hot weather and sprayed to cool you down.
You can also watch demonstrations of lavender oil distillation.
Surrounding area… Carshalton
Take a pleasant stroll through the paths of Carshalton Beeches to visit the beautiful park and pond of Carshalton.
An historical centre in the London Borough of Sutton, the village is home to the famous Greyhound Pub, which sits next to the Church of Anne Boleyn, and near the historic Grade II listed Honeywood Museum and overlooks the beautiful Carshalton Ponds of Wandle Valley. The waters date back centuries and most likely used by an early Saxon settlement.
The ponds lead to the River Wandle, which even has a beer named after it!
Tip: More on the Wandle Trail can be found here.
Tip: Carshalton is also home to one of the oldest London plane trees, found next to Ecology Centre. The first of these trees were planted in England from about 1680.
Location of the fields:
The fields are located at the below address:
Stanley Road Allotments
Oaks Way
Carshalton Beeches
Surrey
SM5 4NQ
Getting there:
Bus: Route 154 and S4 (Saturday service) pass the field site. Alight at Stanley Park Road, which is about a 10 min walk to the allotments.
Route 154 also stops at Carshalton Beeches train station.
Train: Carshalton Beeches is the closest train station to the fields. The easiest way to get from central London to Carshalton Beeches is via London Victoria station or London Bridge station on Southern train operator.
Journey times vary from 29 minutes (London Bridge with no changes) to 43 minutes (from Victoria no changes). Remember to check for engineering works as sometimes there will be a bus replacement service, especially during the weekends.
Walking from the station to the fields takes around 20 mins.
Time and cost:
The lavender field is only open to the public during the harvest weekend in July – the last weekend.
The site opens at 10.00am, with the last entry normally at 3.30pm, with the site closing at 4pm.
Entry is free, but if you decide to cut your own lavender, a small bunch starts at £2. Examples of bunch prices will be on displayed.
Ready picked bunches are sold in a variety of sizes.
Scissor hire costs £1 (refunded on return) or you can take your own.
Checking out C & J.
In 4 The Long Haul 