Flower Fields Around The UK

They say that April rain brings May flowers and that is certainly true across the UK. From May onwards, flower fields across the country are blooming – showering the countryside in bright blooms and vibrant colours we can't help but love.

It's well known that spending time in nature is good for your mental well-being. Whether that involves strolling through a bluebell forest or soaking up the calming atmosphere of a lavender field, it's no secret that getting outside during spring does wonders for your mental health. Not only that but flower fields make for a great Instagram snap and UK searches for “flower field near me” saw a 560% spike in March compared to the previous 3 months. Gardener's Dream wanted to find out which of the UK's flower fields were the best to visit and turned to TripAdvisor for the answers.

So if you're looking for a beautiful way to spring-ify your Insta feed or just want to enjoy being surrounded by hundreds of blooms, here are the UK's best flower fields – from beautiful bluebell woods to stunning sunflower fields and beyond.

The most popular flower fields across the UK

Our research into the most popular flower fields in the UK doesn't disappoint. There are 149 flower fields across the country with bluebell fields/woods being the most popular for floral enthusiasts to visit –with a whopping 70 of them to choose from.

Bluebells start popping up in early spring and will have mostly died back by the Summer, so they're ideal for visiting when the weather just starts to warm up again. It's important to note that these flowers are delicate and prone to trampling so locations are protected by the Woodland Trust. Make sure you stick to any pre-determined paths before stopping to take photos.

The second most popular type of flower fields to visit are sunflower fields. With 38 sunflower fields across the UK, you're probably living quite close to one. Sunflowers reach their peak bloom between mid-June and mid-July but are usually grown in private fields. So make sure you're not trespassing in your quest to snap that perfect pic.

Wildflower fields are the nation's third favourite types of flower fields. These fields are bursting with native plant species and are at their peak in the summer months. You can find all sorts of native pollinators and wildlife in these fields too making them a vital part of the UK countryside. There are 18 different wildflower fields you can visit across the UK.

With 15 lavender fields in the UK, these types of flower fields make a great day out for the whole family. They are another type of cultivated crop like sunflowers. Usually, these fields are grown to create essential oils and other calming lavender products but many of them open their gates to visitors as well. Lavender is a herb and has been used for centuries to soothe and calm moods and skin conditions. Not only is it skin-safe but it's also edible and is regularly added to food for a sweetly floral and herbaceous flavour.

If you're on the lookout for tulips, there are only 2 tulip fields in the UK so make sure you plan ahead for these popular spots as they have limited public open days. But getting to see the rows upon rows of cheerful flowers is well worth the effort.

The best places in the UK to visit a flower field

The best UK county to visit for flower fields is Cornwall. With 11 different sites to choose from, you're spoilt for choice. The majority of these sites are bluebell woods where the early spring flowers bloom in sprawling carpets of blue. It's not surprising that these woodland plants are the most popular thanks to the large amount of woodland in Cornwall. The Luxulyan Circular Walk and Zennor Circular Walk are both popular and highly rated places to spot bluebells in the early spring.

This county also plays host to 1 lavender field. Cornish Lavendar at Perranporth grow the fragrant flowers to turn into essential oils and they offer tours between May and August as well as selling treats like Cornish cream tea and pasties.

Devon comes in second place with 9 flower fields. Visit The Gnome Reserve and Wildflower Garden in West Putford for some strolls through beautiful scenery and some local gnome spotting of over 1,000 garden gnomes. Or head to Holyford Woods for walks through stunning, calming woodland and beautiful blankets of bluebells in the early spring – don't forget to look up: these woods play host to roosting bats as well.

Heading further north, East Anglia has 7 flower fields to visit. Check out Norfolk Lavender for sprawling fields of calming purple flowers or Reydon Wood for a stunning vista of bluebells.

The south coast is a treasure trove of flower fields and woodlands alike. West Sussex is no different. Visit Chesworth Farm in the Spring and Summer for fields of wildflowers or Lordington Lavender for beautiful scenery over seemingly endless rows of the fragrant herb.

West Sussex, Kent, Hertfordshire, Essex, and East Sussex are in joint 4th place with 6 flower fields each. There are plenty of bluebell woods in these areas so are the perfect places for a spring walk with the family. Essex in particular boasts 3 sunflower fields – ideal for those who love the bright, sunny blooms.

In Kent, the most highly rated flower field location is the Kings Wood loved for its sprawling carpets of spring bluebells. This ancient wood has plenty to offer your family year-round but is particularly beautiful during the spring.

Hertfordshire's best location to see bluebells is the Philipshill wood in Chorleywood. Enjoy a walk beneath the towering trees as you soak in the soothing atmosphere and find yourself among thousands of bluebells in the spring.

Visit Writte Sunflowers in Essex in the summer months to get lost in the summery flowers – and we mean that literally as they have a sunflower maze. When you're done soaking up the beauty and snapping a few photos, head to the pick-your-own areas to choose some choice blooms to take home with you. Perfect for kids and kids-at-heart alike.
Have you ever wanted to spend the day with Alpacas? Well at East Sussex's Alpaca Walk, you can enjoy the company of some wooly friends as you stroll through fields of wildflowers. Wildflowers start blooming in early spring and carry on throughout the summer so you can enjoy the beauty for many months of the year.

Completing the top five is Surrey, with a total of 5 flower fields. The county boasts three sunflower fields, so if you want to stroll through fields of gold, then Discovery Land at Priory Farm is the highest rated place to visit. You'll also find lavender and tulip fields here, so you've really got the pick of the bunch in this part of the UK.

How to grow these flowers at home

Although visiting a flower field is lovely, you might not be able to visit one. If you don't have access to these fields, you live in a location with only one or two in your area, or you simply want to grow your own at home, Craig Wilson, Co-founder, director and in-house gardening expert at Gardener's Dream explains how to grow the UK's most popular flowers from the comfort of your own garden. From bluebell bulbs to wildflower seeds and growing your own sunflowers, Craig gives tips on how to create your own private flower field at home.

Bluebells

“Bluebells are a woodland plant, so if you want to grow them at home, you'll need to find a spot of your garden that is in partial shade. Under trees or shrubs is the best idea and will create a whimsical woodland effect.”

“Bluebells can take a long time to flower if planting from seed, so if you are keen to reap the benefits of these colourful flowers, then opt for dry bulbs instead. Make sure you are planting them in moist soil that drains well. Adding manure or garden compost to the soil will give it lots nutrients, perfect for the growth of bluebells.”

“Plant your bluebell bulbs 10com deep and around 10cm apart, ensuring that the pointy end is facing upwards. Even bulbs can take some time to establish, and it is likely that in the first year you may only get leaves, this is normal, as the plant will be putting the majority of its energy into growing strong, established roots.”

“Bluebells are fairly low maintenance, as long as the soil is moist, they won't need watering. If there has been a particularly dry spell and the soil becomes very dry, then this is your sign to water them.”

Sunflowers

“As the name suggests, sunflowers thrive in sunlight, requiring 6-8 of direct sunlight per day. So, if you are thinking about growing them at home, you want to ensure you have a bright sunny spot for them to grow in. When choosing your sunflowers, be sure to consider the size of your garden. If your space is small, then you'll be best opting for dwarf varieties, however, if you have a larger garden then small and tall varieties will be best suited.”

“If you are growing your sunflowers from seed, sow them directly into your garden after the last frost, planting them 2cm deep and 15cm apart. Make sure they are planted in well-drained soil, ideally adding in some fresh compost with nutrient benefits. Once your sunflowers have grown to around 10cm, thin them out to 30-60cm. Water them regularly, especially during dry periods!”

Methodology

Gardeners Dream scraped Trip Advisor for a number of queries, such as ‘Tulip field' and ‘Bluebell woods' to find all of the locations in the UK where the flower fields reside.