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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of East Hampshire & the South Downs
Lordington Lavender opens its Open Week fields each July near Chichester, while The Lavender Fields near Alton sits a few minutes from Jane Austen's House.
9 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Durleighmarsh Farm Shop & PYO · Dell Quay PYO
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East Hampshire and the western edge of West Sussex share the South Downs National Park: chalk downs, wooded hangers and villages between Alton, Petersfield, Winchester and Chichester. The 100-mile South Downs Way crosses the area through Queen Elizabeth Country Park, and the lanes lead to literary houses at Chawton and Selborne, two cathedrals, a heritage steam line at Alresford and sparkling-wine estates including Hambledon, planted in 1952.
There are two lavender farms to plan around. The Lavender Fields at Hartley Park Farm near Alton opens its fields on pre-booked days while the lavender is in flower and keeps a shop and coffee shop going from February to Christmas. Lordington Lavender, north of Chichester, opens for a single Open Week each July with talks at 11 and 2, a tractor ride up the slope and refreshments. Both are summer visits; the rest of the year, come for walks on the Downs, farm shops and vineyard tours.
The lavender farms
- Lordington LavenderLavender farm · Lordington
Not open every day: the public can visit on booked open days in July, and at ticketed workshops, picnics and events.
- The Lavender FieldsLavender farm · Alton
Mid-June to mid-August
Fields open to ticketed visitors during the flowering season (about mid-June to mid-August); shop and coffee shop open February to Christmas.
- Little Mountain Lavender FarmLavender farm · Romsey
Best time to visit
July is lavender month: Lordington Lavender's Open Week falls in July, and The Lavender Fields opens its fields during flowering, though by mid-August 2026 its fields had closed and harvest had begun. Durleighmarsh near Petersfield has pick-your-own fruit through summer and pumpkins until 31 October, and Dell Quay near Chichester opens its free pumpkin patch on 17–18 and 23–31 October 2026. Hambledon Vineyard holds harvest events in autumn. The Watercress Line runs Halloween trains on 29–31 October 2026 and Steam Illuminations from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. Bishop's Waltham Palace grounds switch to 10am–4pm from October to March.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Gilbert White's House & Gardens🏛️ Museum · Selborne · about 2 mi, 5 min drive
Home of the pioneering naturalist and writer, with 25 acres of garden and parkland restored to his plans and a museum of the Oates collections, including Lawrence Oates of Scott's Antarctic expedition.
Tuesday–Sunday 10:30am–4:30pm
Tickets listed on their website
- Jane Austen's House🏛️ Museum · Chawton · about 3 mi, 10 min drive
The cottage where Jane Austen lived and wrote her novels, with a garden of deckchairs; you can walk in from Alton.
10am–4pm on open days (as shown October 2026)
Prices on their website
- Watercress Line🌉 Landmark · Alresford · about 13 mi, 25 min drive
Heritage steam railway running between Alresford, Ropley and Alton, with themed trains through the year.
Halloween trains 29–31 October 2026; Steam Illuminations 27 November 2026–2 January 2027
Fares on their website
- Hinton Ampner🌷 Garden · Hinton Ampner, near Alresford · about 12 mi, 25 min drive
National Trust house rebuilt after a 1960 fire, with topiary-lined formal gardens, a walled garden and estate walks with views over the Downs; the café is in the old stables.
Garden 10am–5pm, house 11am–3:30pm (17 October 2026); Christmas event 14 November 2026–3 January 2027
House and garden £18 adult, £9 child (peak, without Gift Aid, 2026); free parking
- Winchester Cathedral🏛️ Historic site · Winchester · about 21 mi, 35 min drive
Winchester's cathedral, with the Kings & Scribes exhibition, year-round guided tours and a tower tour with views across the county.
Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 12:30–3pm; closed 20–23 October 2026 for graduations
Adult annual pass £14.90 (£13.90 online); children 11 and under free (2026)
- Queen Elizabeth Country Park🏞️ Park · Horndean · about 10 mi, 20 min drive
More than 2,000 acres of open-access woodland and downland on the South Downs Way; the 5-mile Long Woodland Trail takes about 2.5 hours through beech and conifer woods.
Year-round; Beechwood Kitchen serves breakfast from 10am weekdays, 9am weekends
- Bishop's Waltham Palace🏛️ Historic site · Bishop's Waltham · about 19 mi, 40 min drive
Ruins of a medieval palace of the Bishops of Winchester, with a three-story tower and great hall windows added by William of Wykeham; the old lodging range holds a small museum.
April–September 10am–6pm, October–March 10am–4pm; museum on weekends
free (grounds)
- Stansted Park🏛️ Historic site · Rowlands Castle · about 2 mi, 5 min drive
Edwardian mansion in about 2,000 acres of ancient forest and parkland next door to Lordington, with Victorian walled gardens, a yew maze, a light railway, a farm shop and a tearoom.
House open days on their website
- Chichester Cathedral🏛️ Historic site · Chichester · about 7 mi, 15 min drive
Cathedral with a John Piper tapestry behind the high altar, the subject of an exhibition until 15 November 2026, and volunteer-led 45-minute spire climbs.
Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 12:30–3pm
By donation (£7 suggested)
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- The Selborne ArmsRestaurant · Selborne
Village pub a few doors from Gilbert White's House, with local ales and lunch Tuesday to Sunday.
- Durleighmarsh Farm Shop & PYOBerry farm · Petersfield
Pick-your-own fruit through summer and pumpkins until 31 October, plus a farm shop and tea barn.
- Dell Quay PYOPumpkin patch · Chichester
Tabletop strawberry picking in summer and a free pumpkin patch on set October dates by Chichester Harbour.
- Hambledon VineyardWinery or vineyard (21+) · Hambledon
Estate planted in 1952 with chalk-cellar tours, tastings and a restaurant, Wednesday to Sunday.
- Tinwood EstateWinery or vineyard (21+) · Halnaker
Family sparkling-wine vineyard with daily tours and a vineyard kitchen open 9am to 5:30pm.
- Triple fff BreweryBrewery or taproom (21+) · Four Marks
Brewery near Alton with a taproom open daily and Saturday tours.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMThe Lavender Fields
In flowering season, walk the fields on a pre-booked ticket, then browse the shop and coffee shop (Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm). About 1.25 hours.
- 11:30 AMGilbert White's House & Gardens · about 5 min drive
About 5 minutes to Selborne High Street. Tour the house and walk the gardens. About 1.25 hours.
- 12:45 PMThe Selborne Arms
A short walk along the High Street. Lunch, served noon to 2pm Tuesday–Sunday; book for indoor tables. About 1 hour.
- 2:00 PMJane Austen's House · about 10 min drive
About 10 minutes north to Chawton. See the rooms where she wrote and sit out in the garden. About 1 hour.
- 3:20 PMHinton Ampner · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes west on the A31. Walk the formal and walled gardens before the 5pm close. About 1.25 hours.
- 4:50 PMTriple fff Brewery · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes back toward Alton. The taproom opens at 4pm on weekdays; plan a designated driver. About 45 minutes.
Tips
- Lordington Lavender is reached only through Lordington from the B2146; some satnavs send cars up dead-end lanes.
- At Lordington's Open Week the field is about 800 meters up a steep grassy slope from the car park; a tractor and trailer runs, and card machines can lose signal, so bring cash.
- Plan the Selborne day for Tuesday to Saturday: Gilbert White's House closes Mondays and The Lavender Fields shop closes Sundays and Mondays.
- Winchester Cathedral closes to visitors on 20–23 October 2026 for graduations and often has short-notice closures, so check their website.
- Hinton Ampner has free parking but asks visitors not to arrive before 9:40am.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When do the Hampshire and West Sussex lavender farms open?
In July. Lordington Lavender holds one Open Week then, 10am to 4pm daily, and The Lavender Fields opens its fields on pre-booked days while the lavender is in flower. Its fields had closed for harvest by mid-August 2026.
How much is Lordington Lavender's Open Week?
As listed in October 2026: early-bird tickets £8 adults and £2 children, or £9 and £3 standard; under-3s and registered carers free, parking free.
Are dogs allowed at the lavender farms?
Lordington welcomes dogs on leads during Open Week, with water bowls by the refreshments. Check with The Lavender Fields before bringing a dog.
Is The Lavender Fields shop open outside summer?
Yes. The shop and coffee shop open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, from February to Christmas.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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