Also because let us remember: we are in summer! … And summer here does not last too long.
It is true that the United Kingdom businesses are trying to return to a somehow normal life after (hopefully) having overcome the peak of the pandemic, but the images coming from London’s busiest and more popular neighbourhoods do cause concern and I personally prefer to be safe rather than sorry.
In London nightlife districts, such as Soho, people do not seem concerned about respecting the rules to avoid contagion: almost nobody, in fact, is wearing a mask or maintaining an adequate social distance while if you go out of town a bit people seem more abiding and that is strange because the risk is somehow lower in the much less crowded suburbs I think.
What is key for me though is that it is still possible to find places that are not so crowded in London suburbs and not too far from the city centre.
For example, a great place for photos opportunities and to spend some hours during the summer in London are the lavender fields.
It is a special location to take incredible photos and to breathe the intense scent of the lavender flowers.
There are many lavender fields around London in the Cotswold Hills and Kent but the closest ones are probably in the North Surrey Hills that you can easily reach by train.
I had visited the North Surrey Hills’ lavender fields last year and one of the most famous shots you can take there is a portray of the classic English telephone booth (which was purposely put there) surrounded by purple flowers and by a wonderful panorama in the background.
The lavender fields normally open their doors in June until the flowers are in bloom that is apparently around September.
Lavender indeed normally begins to bloom in mid-June and the peak time is July and August.
They must open their doors because they are private fields as lavender does not grow spontaneously here as perhaps in other parts of Europe.
The weather can influence the blooming a lot, so it is always best to check before the visit.
During the peak season it can get very busy on the weekends, so I recommend planning a visit a week in advance.
This characteristic place called Mayfair also has a relaxation and refreshment area, where among the food specialties you can find a very particular cider you can purchase in the souvenir shop along with various souvenirs and lavender products of course!
There is also a farm nearby which also organizes a beekeeper tour among the hives and bees on the farm as well as very short organised tours to explain the uses and the characteristics of the lavender flowers.
During the visit I learnt that the lavender has excellent healing qualities, especially through its essential oil.
It is useful for sunburns, insect bites and inflammations if you just rub the skin with a few drops.
Lavender is also used for massages as it is very good to use this ointment to relax the muscles or, mixed with bath salts, for a restorative foot bath.
Lavender essential oil is portentous in case of headache caused by stress and tension and it may be sufficient to just rub a drop or two on the temples to get the first benefits.
Lavender fields
