Closed for the Winter months but soon to be open again at the beginning of the Summer are the beautiful fields of lavender that you can find at Cadwell Farm in Hitchin. Hitchin Lavender Fields are worth visiting! Never miss out on seeing the fields of lavender in their full purple glory during the summer months!
Just a 12-minute drive from our Hitchin showroom, wander up and down miles of lavender the farm grows. You will be able to explore a wide range of varieties over 30 acres even picking some lavender to take home with you. It’s the perfect place to bring home some Hitchin heritage to your handmade kitchen!
Whether it’s a girls’ day in the lavender fields or somewhere to entertain the children during the school holidays, this is certainly the place to add to your British bucket list!
Hitchin is a charming town located in Hertfordshire, approximately 50km north of London. The town centre features picturesque cobbled streets, delightful independent cafes, a thousand-year-old church, and a bustling market square that regularly hosts a diverse range of engaging events.
Hitchin Lavender History
Hitchin Lavender is owned and managed by Tim Hunter and Maria Noel Castro. The Hunter family has a farming heritage spanning over five generations, with roots at Cadwell Farm, the longstanding home of Hitchin Lavender, for more than 120 years. Originally of Scottish descent, the family settled in Hertfordshire during the 1890s farming depression, drawn by proximity to London and access to the railway network.
In the 1970s, Cadwell Farm was passed down to Alec Hunter and his wife Zoë. Over the years, they explored various crops and livestock until deciding in 2000 to diversify into lavender cultivation. While this was a new venture for Cadwell Farm, lavender farming had a rich history in the Hitchin region dating back to the 16th century.
Originally, the lavender was intended to complement their agricultural activities. However, when photographs of their lavender fields gained attention in local and national media, it became evident that people were eager to visit and experience the lavender firsthand. This marked the beginning of Hitchin Lavender as it is known today, welcoming thousands of visitors annually from around the world.
In 2009, Alec and Zoë’s sons, Nick and Tim, along with Tim’s wife, Maria Noel, returned to the farm. They introduced sunflowers to the farm in 2009 and created a display field in 2011 to showcase different lavender species and varieties. Expanding the farm’s attractions they also added a wildflower meadow and cut flower area.
In 2012, Tim and Maria Noel assumed sole ownership of Hitchin Lavender when Nick departed to establish Sundown Cinema, an acclaimed open-air cinema company. Both sons continue to manage the remainder of the farm, which remains dedicated to cereal crop cultivation, continuing a tradition initiated by their Great-Great-Grandfather over a century ago.
The Best Time to Visit
The end of June until Mid/end of July is when you will see the lavender in full bloom and the bright vibrant purple colour. The Hitchin Sunflower Farm area opens later in the season which is normally mid-to the end of August when the sunflowers bloom.
If you want to see both the sunflowers and lavender fields in bloom, it’s best to visit towards the end of the season, but not too late as you might miss the lavender!
Our kitchen showroom in Hitchin is where you will see the quality of our work close to hand. You can run your hand across the surfaces and finishes, closely inspecting the handles, drawers, runners and other components that make up the kitchen. We welcome you into our quirky space where you will see how accurately we can design beautiful kitchens in the most challenging of spaces!
We use the highest quality materials, which ensure a lasting and longevity kitchen and living space for our clients.
Contact us today to speak to one of our designers who has the expertise in designing your dream bespoke kitchen.
