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.
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.