Having dreamed of visiting the vibrant lavender fields of Provence for a long while, a quick search of the web led me to an alternative closer to home in England that would tick the box for the moment. So, on a sunny summer’s day we headed off to Cotswold Lavender, as part of a fabulous Cotswold summer day trip.
With a pre-planned hotel booking near the Cotswolds and a summer heatwave in the UK, we’d planned the perfect weekend for visiting the lavender fields shortly before harvest. The downside of this incredible weather, combined with peak lavender season, combined with the Cotswolds would likely mean crowds, so we braced ourselves for a busy day out.
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Last updated: May 2025
A VISIT TO COTSWOLD LAVENDER
Located on the outskirts of the village of Snowshill, COTSWOLD LAVENDER is well signposted (the brown tourist signs says Snowshill Lavender) and easy to find. Exact dates vary from year to year, but the lavender fields are generally open from mid June to mid August, with regular updates on their website and socials advising exact dates.
Peak season entry fees to Cotswold Lavender for 2025 are £7.75, with off peak tickets, children’s tickets and season tickets also available. The entry ticket provides access to the lavender fields, wildflower meadows, a woodland trail and a lavender distillery. There’s also a gift shop cabin, cafe and toilet facilities on site. Visiting in the peak times of July and August can bring significant crowds, so arrive early to capture some great shots of the lavender, sans people. A bit of clever camera work and positioning can also work to some degree.
My first impressions of the farm were wonderful. The vibrant rows of purple blooms on show were magnificent. Getting up close to the lavender, the scents become more fragrant, the people walking amongst the flowers aiding the scents to drift. As well as the sights, the sounds of hundreds or thousands of bees working away collecting nectar and pollen.
WILDFLOWERS AT COTSWOLD LAVENDER
It’s not only lavender on display at the farm, there are two beautiful wildflower meadows which are lovely to walk around, as well as a traditional meadow. With bright red poppies, tall yellow marigolds, daisies and cornflowers, these meadows were not only visually stunning, but also inspirational in a time where about 97% of traditional wildflower meadows have been lost. Get growing in your own gardens, or containers.
Having spent an hour or two wandering the fields, and stopping for the obligatory coffee and cake, we moved on to visit another couple of popular spots on our Cotswolds summer day trip, the first of those being the scenic village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
PICTURE PERFECT BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER
An idyllic village known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ due to the shallow River Windrush flowing through the centre, the honey coloured stone buildings, quaint shops and tearooms all make Bourton a very busy tourist destination. Especially in the peak of summer, at a weekend and when it’s sunny. Arriving at a busy car park, we headed towards the centre of the village – a bustling street full of shops, cafes and bars. Children and adults playing and splashing around in the river and sunbathing on the banks, the scene lacked the serenity of the surrounding architecture, but was beautiful nonetheless.
We wandered away from the main street and it quietened down a little, giving us more space to wander and take in our surroundings, which were indeed beautiful. I absolutely adore the architecture in this part of the country, and the care and attention people pay to the frontage of their homes and the amazing planting in the gardens is testament to the locals who want to keep it looking as beautiful as a picture postcard.
It’s easy to escape the hustle and bustle of the centre – the quieter side streets of the village are a delight, and you don’t have to walk too far to feel like you are almost the only people around. To make the most of this beautiful village, visit out of season where you’ll have the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere.
Onwards to our final destination of the day, and another popular location. I have to admit that after our visit to Bourton I was apprehensive about seeing more crowds. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The parking gods were with us, and as we arrived at the centre of Bibury, we found the perfect parking space for the exact spot we wanted to visit to complete our Cotswolds summer day trip.
BIBURY – A MUST SEE ON A COTSWOLDS SUMMER DAY TRIP
Bibury – one of the most quintessential Cotswold villages, has become one of the most photographed villages in the area and also renowned as the most beautiful village in England. This is all down to one little street – Arlington Row.
The Arlington Row cottages were built in the 14th century and originally used as wool stores. In the 17th century they were converted into the weavers cottages that we see today. Crossing the River Coln and heading up the street it was easy to see how they have become so well photographed with their beautiful stonework and crooked moss covered roofs.
Back across the river, the rest of the village also lives up to the standards of the typically beautiful Cotswolds scenery and architecture. It’s all very middle England and almost feels like an old village recreated as a movie set.
There is a lot of ground to cover in the Cotswolds – far too much for one summer day trip, but I am glad we managed to make the most of a beautiful summer Sunday. I look forward to visiting again, to delve deeper, but will be sure to make that visit outside of the main summer season.
FOR FURTHER READING ABOUT THE AREA, VISIT ‘EXPLORE THE COTSWOLDS’
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Gorgeous post, gorgeous photos – loved this!!!
Thank you!
The pictures of the lavender fields are awesome and Arlington Row looks like out of this world. Are people really still living inside of these houses?
Thanks Dennis. I think people live in all of the houses apart from one, which is a holiday rental.
It’s a beautiful setting although I’m not sure I’d like tourists staring in my window every day!
This is my neck of the Woods!!! I went to the lavender fields this weekend just gone and it was soooo lovely!!! Will be posting a few in the next few days 🙂 absolutely love your shots and hope you enjoyed the Cotswolds!!
Thank you. I look forward to seeing your photos. We were there on Sunday. The Cotswolds are beautiful but there is the trade off of seeing it with this beautiful weather vs the crowds.
I’ll definitely be back to explore more when it’s quieter.
We were there on Sunday too!! What a small world! I agree with the crowds – even when there’s piles of snow around, we’re surrounded by tourists!! You just have to get out really early or late in the day and it’s much nicer!
Great photos! I love the lavender of Provence but this is a wonderful spot too. Lavender does love sun, so I’m sure the heatwave that’s been swamping England has really been good for the crop, if nothing else! Will drop by next time I’m back home in the UK!
i keep returning each year but since i dont drive in the UK it is very difficult to see the best of the arear
Awesome pics. Vibrant colors of the nature look unnatural – so juicy they are. I love these notes from your journeys and pics.
[…] also spent a day exploring the Cotswolds which included a trip to visit a beautiful lavender field in full bloom as well as visiting some of […]