Castle Farm Lavender Fields
Castle Farm is a family business located near the village of Shoreham in West Kent. The Alexander Family have been farming in the Darenth Valley since 1892 when James Alexander transported 17 milking cows from Ayrshire in Scotland and took up residence in this south-eastern part of England. Castle Farm is a busy, working farm comprising of 1,100 acres. It produces such crops as wheat, barley, rapeseed, hops, apples, pumpkins and lavender. It is also home to a grass-fed herd of beef cattle. However, in recent years it has become well know internationally for its lavender crop. Castle Farm began its lavender enterprise in 1998, producing the essential oils associated with the flower. It is now the largest lavender farm in the UK, growing over 110 acres of the flower. Furthermore, it has become quite a tourist attraction with the farm staff running tours during Summer and the height of lavender season.
Castle Farm is a family business located near the village of Shoreham in West Kent. The Alexander Family have been farming in the Darenth Valley since 1892 when James Alexander transported 17 milking cows from Ayrshire in Scotland and took up residence in this south-eastern part of England. Castle Farm is a busy, working farm comprising of 1,100 acres. It produces such crops as wheat, barley, rapeseed, hops, apples, pumpkins and lavender. It is also home to a grass-fed herd of beef cattle. However, in recent years it has become well know internationally for its lavender crop. Castle Farm began its lavender enterprise in 1998, producing the essential oils associated with the flower. It is now the largest lavender farm in the UK, growing over 110 acres of the flower. Furthermore, it has become quite a tourist attraction with the farm staff running tours during Summer and the height of lavender season.
Today I had the pleasure of visiting Castle Farm and being shown around the lavender fields as well as the associated facilities for extracting the essential oils. The tour started promptly at 10:45 AM so as to avoid the high temperatures the UK is currently enjoying. We were allowed to walk among the lavender crop which covers 80 acres and comprises of several different species of the plant. Our guide gave us an overview of Castle Farms history, how the lavender is propagated, planted and subsequently harvested. We were then shown how the crop is steamed and the lavender oil separated. The raw oil is then sent away for grading and to be used in both beauty and food products, many of which are then directly sold by Castle Farm. Over the years the farm has managed to increase its overall yield of lavender oil.
The lavender fields at Castle Farm attract a lot of international tourists and offers a striking photo opportunity. When the owners initially thought of diversifying and growing lavender they travelled to Province in France which has grown such crops for centuries. Their initial plan was met with scepticism from the French who didn’t believe the UK was hot enough for lavender. That has not proven the case and Castle Farm currently in a major supplier in the UK essential oils market, which is worth £1.1 billion. The farm itself as well as offering the spectacle of the lavender crop at the height of its season, also has a comprehensive farm shop with a broad range of traditional and organically grown produce. Like the bluebells at Emmetts Garden which bloom in April, the lavender fields at Castle farm are well worth a visit for nature lovers, horticulturalists and those seeking something colourful and seasonal to photograph.
Shorne
Due to the surprisingly good weather, Mrs P and I paid an impromptu visit to the village of Shorne in Kent yesterday. It’s a small community about 3 miles east of Gravesend. Where most of the new houses are located in a shallow valley, the old village is built upon higher ground and has a great view of the Thames Estuary, stretching from Gravesend to Southend-on-sea. Shorne Wood Country Park is also nearby. This area of woods was once part of the large Cobham Hall Estate. In 1987 it came into the ownership of Kent County Council and was redeveloped for public use. There are several places of interest in Shorne such as Mill Cottages, Mill House and the remains of Shorne Mill. There are also some ancient barrows dating from Neolithic period. However, we had come specifically to visit St Peter and St Paul Church and place flowers on a friend’s grave.
Due to the surprisingly good weather, Mrs P and I paid an impromptu visit to the village of Shorne in Kent yesterday. It’s a small community about 3 miles east of Gravesend. Where most of the new houses are located in a shallow valley, the old village is built upon higher ground and has a great view of the Thames Estuary, stretching from Gravesend to Southend-on-sea. Shorne Wood Country Park is also nearby. This area of woods was once part of the large Cobham Hall Estate. In 1987 it came into the ownership of Kent County Council and was redeveloped for public use. There are several places of interest in Shorne such as Mill Cottages, Mill House and the remains of Shorne Mill. There are also some ancient barrows dating from Neolithic period. However, we had come specifically to visit St Peter and St Paul Church and place flowers on a friend’s grave.
St Peter and St Paul Church dates back to Saxon era, although the site has been extended several times over the years. The north aisle was built around the end of the twelfth century. Randall Chapel on the south side of the chancel was added in the late thirteenth century. The south aisle to the nave and its arcade were built in the fifteenth century as were the tower and porch. The Church also boasts some fine stained glass circa eighteen hundred and an opulent font with seven carved panels. The churchyard is still open for burials and had a recent extension in 2000. The older parts have graves dating back three hundred years. The village war memorial stands just inside the main gate. At present the church is having the roof retiled and the exterior is partially obscured by scaffolding. However, all services are being maintained and the visitors are still welcome.
We spent a very pleasant morning in Shorne. After visiting the churchyard we took a leisurely stroll around the village, taking in the various sites. There are several timbered cottages of note and Crown Lane commands a great view over the fields leading down to the estuary. The roads are somewhat steep and there are a few places where the narrow roads are without any pavement, so it is wise to keep on the right, facing the oncoming traffic. After some sight seeing we visited the Rose and Crown; a friendly local pub which dates back to the reign of Henry VII. This is very much the epitome of a rural “public houses” with low timbered ceilings and sedate atmosphere. The perfect place to pause and reflect after a mornings walking. Overall, Shorne is well worth a visit, especially for those who are interested in church history and architecture as well as country walks.
