the cotswolds or provence?

Waving goodbye to the confetti fields we headed the short journey to Broadway to catch some lunch at the cafe we always go to before driving the short journey on to Snowshill and the lavender fields. I first visited the lavender fields many years ago with mum and I remember how they suddenly came out of nowhere as soon as you get on top of the hills, sprawling out in front of us like a picture postcard of Provence. The intensity of the purple colour is like nothing else and you really do feel like you aren't in Middle England.

We pulled up in the dusty car park and bought our ticket to the fields. It's another tourist trap but thankfully the fields are big enough for you to find your own little patch away from the tourists posing away. We even spotted a wedding party making the most of the views and having their photographs taken in amongst the purple haze. 

The majority of the lavender is of the same variety (Hidcote lavender, I believe) but there is a section at the beginning of the fields that showcase all kinds of varieties, including beautiful white lavender, pinky tones and those with silvery leaves. I loved the white variety and thought I might give it a go next year in our little patio. The lavender is grown at Snowshill for cosmetic and homeopathic use, with the great distilling barn located next to the fields and open for you to have a nose around. 

I'm not sure I actually like the smell of lavender oil as I think it's a bit overwhelming but I love fields of lavender, with the scent gently wafting in the light breeze. We were so lucky with the weather as the lavender's purple hues stood out brilliantly against the deep blue of the sky. It's such a treat to have the lavender fields right on your doorstep and you'd be completely forgiven for thinking you'd hopped across the Channel and found yourself in the South of France. We'll be sure to go back again next year.



L.