The Cotswolds is incredibly popular and well known for its rolling countryside and quaint sandstone villages, but my new favourite spot in the area is the lavender fields at Cotswold Lavender. We had visited about a month ago when a visit by Pete's parents had put us into tourist mode. It was interesting then, but now is definitely the time to go.
The flowers are fully open and on the hot sunny day that we were there, the honey bees were droning loudly. As soon as you step out of the car you breathe in the fragrant air, and the different varieties growing there show you that lavender can be pink or white as well as many shades of purple. Each one you see becomes your new favourite, although it is hard to beat the bunny-eared lavandula stoechas.
There is the obligatory shop where you can stock up on all things lavender, and the tea room. Thank goodness, because we were in just the mood for a cream tea al fresco.
