Where to FindBritish FlowersAcross The UK
Aren’t we Brits so lucky?! Here in the UK, we’re surrounded by some of the very best blooms, cultivated and cared for by talented growers.
Every year, we are treated to stunning garden displays and beautiful flower fields. Just imagine yourself wandering through the fields with the golden sunset glowing behind you, doesn’t that sound like the perfect backdrop for your insta shots?
So, where can you find these beautiful British flowers? Look no further, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to find British flowers across the UK.
Sunflowers
Nothing makes us smile more than seeing a beautiful field of vibrant sunflowers. These happy blooms are the epitome of British summer, and their halo of golden yellow petals are sure to brighten your mood for the day. It’s no wonder they’re so popular!
The best places to find sunflowers across the UK are listed below.
Vine House Farm, Lincolnshire
This family-run farm cultivates over 100 acres of sunflowers each year. It’s a breathtaking sight! Even better, the farm harvests the sunflower seeds to produce wild bird food. Visit in August, and you can join one of their guided walks to learn more about the flowers and the farm's operations.
Garsons Farms, Esher, Surrey
Want to pop some sunflowers in your vase? Why not take the experience to the next level and head to Garson’s Farm where you can pick your own stunning bunch to take home. Visit in July and August when the flowers are shining their brightest. Why not make a day of it, they also produce some delicious fruits and veggies ready for you to pick.
Rhossili, Wales
Located at the iconic Vile in Rhossili, Rhossili Sunflowers grows more than 400,000 sunflowers with over 10 varieties and colours. If you enjoy taking family photos, make sure to visit from mid-July to capture these stunning blooms, they even have arches made out of sunflowers and giant swings!
Lavender
Pop some lavender in your garden and it will instantly enhance your space with its stunning beauty and soothing scent. Let’s be honest, just one sniff of this plant and you’re instantly reminded of summer. Oh, and our fuzzy friends the bees love it too!
Here are some of the best lavender fields in the UK:
Cotswold Lavender
Why not pack a picnic and enjoy a wander through Cotswold Lavender fields this July. Here they have over 35 different varieties of lavender covering more than 70 acres of the farm, giving a stunning display of purple every summer! While there, you can also grab some lavender treats, they’re famous for creating high-quality essential oils.
Yorkshire Lavender, North Yorkshire’s Howardian Hills
Starting from just a few experimental rows 30 years ago, this family-run hillside farm within the Howardian Hills is now home to hundreds of different lavender and herb varieties. Pop to one of their painting or lavender wreath-making workshops and you’ll be able to let your creativity go wild!
Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire
If you live in London, you don’t have to miss out. Take a short hop on the train and you too can escape into the wonderful acres of lavender. Even better, you can pick your very own lavender flowers fresh from their fields and take the bunch home for your vase!
Tulips
When tulips arrive in the UK you know that spring is in the air, adding a splash of rainbow colour and burst of brightness after the long winter months. You’ll spot these gorgeous blooms everywhere - from homes, royal gardens and public displays to private gardens and festivals. The best time to catch them in full bloom is usually from late March to May, though this can depend on where you are and the variety of tulips.
We’ve rounded up some of the best tulip fields across the UK.
Tulley’s Farm
Famous for its vibrant and colourful displays, Tulley’s Tulip Fest is a natural spectacle featuring over 1.2 million tulips! Whether you’re snapping pictures or simply soaking in the beauty of the season, this is the perfect way to welcome spring.
Hampton Court
Soak up the history and enjoy tulips at the same time! Throughout April this historic site, once home to Henry VIII, showcases over 100,000 tulip bulbs. You can wander through 60 acres of colourful royal gardens and enjoy historic and specialist tulip varieties inspired by Mary II’s famous 17th-century collection.
Norfolk Tulip Garden
Head to King’s Lynn and you’re in for a treat with a breathtaking field of tulips. Home to 100 acres of these rainbow blooms, this field has become a social media sensation and a must-visit spot during April and May.
Peonies
There is nothing quite as wonderful as the peony flower. With its delicate ruffled petals, it certainly gives off feelings of romance and elegance. You’ll need to be quick to catch them, these blooms have a very short flowering season. The flowers only last a couple of weeks and are usually at their best throughout May and June.
Fancy picking your own peonies? We’ve rounded up some of our favourite places to find peonies – ready for the insta pic!
Little Budds Peony Farm
With over 6,000 peony plants and around 50 different varieties, this farm in Kent is a peony wonderland! Their blooms range from dark red, coral, white, pink and blush to yellow, plus you can also take some home as your own – either as a plant or cut flowers for your vase.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
If you want to see the spectacular peony blooms by Primrose Hall, you can catch their stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. From a swing covered in peonies to a large bathtub overflowing with blooms, there’s a good reason they are gold medal award-winning flowers.
Mount Congreve Gardens, County Waterford, Ireland
At Mount Congreve, they've created a dedicated walk just for these beauties! Alongside lavender shrubs, their vibrant pink peonies steal the spotlight, making the walk so stunning, that it’s nearly impossible not to snap a picture and share it.
Daffodils
Did you know that the UK is the world’s biggest grower of daffodils? Their cheery yellow heads are an enduring garden favourite and can often be found edging the roads. When you see them pop up, it’s often a sign that spring is on its way and brighter days are coming.
If you want to add some sunshine to an early spring day, head to some of these places.
Belton House, Lincolnshire
If you’re in Lincolnshire, one of the prime places to find daffodils is at Belton House. There, you’ll be able to wander through a sea of daffodils, alongside some pale-yellow primroses and blue scilla. Book on to a Daffodil Tour and discover their collection of daffodils.
The Daffodil Field, Whaley
Fancy picking your own bunch? This family farm near the Nottingham and Derbyshire borders will be sure to brighten your day and is the perfect location to capture family photos to treasure. You could even hire a professional photographer if you’re feeling up for a little photoshoot!
Cotehele, Cornwell
Located in the Tamar Valley, Cotehele has been home to daffodils for centuries, with varieties even dating back to the 17th century. Visit in spring, around March, and the estate will come alive with golden displays to adore and appreciate. From tiny multi-flowered Tête-à-Têtes to the ruffled petals of ‘Butter and Eggs’, they have them all.
Roses
Roses seem to have won a special place in our hearts (and our history). For a start, they are beautiful to look at and where would we be without this flower on Valentine’s Day? But it goes beyond that, the red rose is the national symbol of England, and we can even trace its importance back to the 15th century when the ‘Tudor Rose’ was used as the symbol of peace.
If you want to channel your inner Bridgerton and stroll through a rose garden, here’s your list.
The David Austin Rose Garden, Shropshire
If you are a fan of David Austin's roses, it's worth visiting their award-winning rose gardens in Shropshire. You can visit for free all year round, and the abundance of colour and fragrance makes it a truly breathtaking experience. While you’re there this year, don’t miss the latest rose to join their world-renowned collection, called ’Emma Bridgewater’.
Greenwich Park Rose Garden
Did you know that one of the filming locations for Bridgerton was the Greenwich Park Rose Garden? Located on the eastern side of the park, this garden is laid out in a semi-circle design and planted with predominantly hybrid tea and floribunda roses.
Roses In The Wild
Now, we all know the magic of the roses that grow in our gardens, but did you know there is also an equally beautiful wild variety? The wild roses you find very much depends on their location. For example, Dog Rose can often be seen across the south of the UK or the lowlands of Northern Ireland while you’ll need to head up to the Scottish Highlands for a coastal break to spot the Burnet Rose on sandy heaths and dunes. Just remember not to take any cuttings home.
Rose & Flower Gardens
If you fancy looking at beautifully displayed flower gardens, you can’t go wrong with a visit to your local stately home or National Trust property. Head to Sissinghurst Castle which is famous as the epitome of an English cottage garden where you can explore their series of garden rooms. Visit in summer, when the gardens transform into flowers galore, bursting with rainbow and contrasting colours.
If you’re looking for a garden that can impress in every season, look no further than Anglesey Abbey. From 40 varieties of daffodils in spring to 40 David Austin roses and 50 species of wildflowers in summer, and 400 individual varieties of snowdrops in winter, there's always something spectacular to see no matter when you visit.
Head over to Mount Stewart in County Down and you can discover their distinctive gardens, with many unique and exotic plants to explore. Visit in spring, and you’ll be treated to a truly magical experience with blossoms adorning every corner! From glorious magnolias to sweet cherry trees and rhododendrons, they’ve got it all.
Wildflowers
The UK is home to thousands of wildflower varieties and being able to spot a few of them is a great way to increase your knowledge of our biodiversity. This is especially important if we want to get closer to wildlife and learn more about the important role, they play in upholding our ecosystem and supporting various pollinators, insects and wildlife.
A great place to start is by looking for the most common varieties. For example, bluebells can easily be found in our woodlands from mid-April to May. In fact, the UK is home to more than half the world’s population of bluebells! Go up to the Lake District National Park in Cumbria and you can often find forest floors blanketed with the blooms. Looking for something more challenging? How about spotting wood anemones around March and May. These live in ancient woodlands across the UK and can be recognised for their star-shaped white petals and visible loved leaves.
Tips when visiting flower fields and gardens
If you’re thinking about heading out to some flower fields, there are three top tips you should follow. This will provide you with the best experience as well as help landowners to preserve their flowers.
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Ensure it’s open to the public – Most websites will provide you information on whether they are open to the public. Most of them are pretty good at updating you on the best times to visit, opening hours and what you’ll do for your visit.
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Be mindful of where you step - Avoid stepping on the flowers as this can damage them, stick to the paths provided.
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Take any rubbish you have with you – Help keep the fields clean and beautiful for others to enjoy.