AS summer steps into bloom, so do millions of flowers across the UK – and what is better than getting out and seeing them.
Whilst the UK doesn’t benefit from a tropical climate or colour-coded tulip fields, we still gets some amazing plants and garden destinations.
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Here is a round-up of some of the best flower gardens in the UK, including a new lavender destination.
Secret Lavender Garden, Mayfield
Mayfield Lavender, famed for its organic Banstead lavender farm, will launch a brand-new visitor experience this summer: the Secret Lavender Garden.
The experience will open on June 21 Mayfield’s Epsom site in Surrey – which is also home to the Glasshouse Café and Gift & Plant Shop.
There will be time sessions in the morning and afternoon for visitors to explore the fragrant lavender, an apple orchard, over 500 fruit trees and local wildlife.
Read more on gardens to visit
There is a tall tree-lined avenue that leads guests to a second hidden lavender field, which boasts amazing countryside views and even the skyline of London is visible.
Guests will be allowed to bring a picnic blanket or sit at one of the garden’s tables to enjoy the fields.
They can also pre-order one of Mayfield’s handcrafted pick-up hampers filled with treats.
Alternatively, visitors can head to the Glasshouse Cafe which offers a menu including lavender-inspired food and drinks.
From the July 5, the Secret Lavender Garden will also offer ‘sunset special’ slots for golden-hour views.
Booking online costs £10 for adults, £8 for children over the age of 12 and £5 for children between five and 11-years-old.
Brendan Maye, founder of Mayfield Lavender, said: “The opening of the Secret Lavender Garden at our Epsom site marks an exciting chapter for Mayfield.
“It’s a peaceful, hidden gem that complements the vibrant atmosphere of the Banstead-based lavender farm. We can’t wait for people to experience both.”
Little Budds Farm, Coldblow Lane
Set in the Kent countryside, is Little Budds Peony Farm – a great peony paradise, that boasts displays of over 6,000 peonies.
Peonies only bloom for a few weeks each year, from the end of Mat to the beginning of June.
And at Little Budds Farm, visitors can see the vast array of flowers until June 15.
In total, the farm has over 50 different varieties of peonies, which all range in size, shape, scent and colour.
Whilst visitors cannot pick their own peonies, there are plenty of pre-picked bunches available for purchase at the site.
The farm is completely free to visit, but tickets to see the flowers must be booked in advance.
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If heading from London, guests can board a direct train from London Victoria to Bearstead and then hop in a short taxi ride to the farm.
The Confetti Flower Field, Worcestershire
The Confetti Flower Field in Worcestershire is home to an array of flowers that bloom for just 10 days.
Estimated to bloom towards the end of June, the farm has acres of tall delphinium flowers.
Guests will be able to see the flowers in the fields, as well as a range of insects.
At full bloom, the fields are a “magical experience” according tot he farm’s website and visitors will be able to walk around “such an expanse of colour”.
There will also be a pop-up Confetti Café, a small shop and fresh flower stall inside the event.
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New for this year, the farm is also offering sunset events on June 26 and July 1 and 3.
Tickets cost £9.95 per person and must be booked in advance.
Blooming Green, Kent
Also in Kent is Blooming Green – a large meadow with bundles of wild flowers to investigate.
Whilst a fruit farm, Blooming Green has seasonal, organic flowers that visitors can pick every Saturday from late June to October.
There is no need to book and guests can simply grab a PYO (pick your own) container and take the pick of the bunch.
The farm will even wrap up your field-fresh flowers.
Admission is completely free of charge, but it does cost £25 for a PYO container of up to 40 stems.
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Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire
Hitchin Lavender is home to more than 30 acres of lavender, making it the largest lavender farm in the UK.
Visitors can head there, explore and pick lavender themselves.
Outside of the main field, there is also a two-acre display field that showcases 60 different varieties of lavender.
The flowers bloom from mid-June to late August.
Also, at the same site, there is a sunflower field where visitors can also explore and pick the sunflowers, which are priced per stem.
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If that wasn’t enough floral exploration, there are also wildflower meadows with hundreds of wildflower varieties.
To make a day out of it, visitors can also enjoy the Old Barn Tearoom, which is a 17th century barn serving up hot food and drinks, homemade cakes and has a children’s play area just outside.
General admission costs £8.91 per adult and £6.81 per child.
There are a number of stunning spots around the world to take the perfect floral selfie.
Plus, the pretty ‘secret’ garden in England that is more like going to China and Egypt.
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