I have been a fan of lavender products since my long period of living and travelling overseas, not just as a travel writer taking at least one long and several short trips overseas at my own expense, and on business with my husband, also supplemented by the occasional press trip to overseas destination. The revelation about lavender came at the start of my thirty year sojourn in Singapore where I spent most winters in Singapore, Asia and Australasia while returning to the UK and Europe for the summer and back, via the USA or Australia in one or both directions. Lavender and lemon infused products were cheaper in England than in Singapore, so I stocked up in England with Yardley products from my local chemist (which I learned Americans would call a drug store). The cheapest lavender item was a small roll on around or under five pounds sterling. that was small enough to go in my handbag when my suitcase was already overweight or on the border of overweight for air travel regulations. More expensive items or sets could be a fall-back when I was asked at the last moment what I wanted for birthdays, Christmas presents or wedding anniversary gifts.
Lavender's Reputation For Repelling Mosquitos
Why lavender? Singapore is safe in many ways, except for mosquitos, which were fought with fogging by anti-mosquito spray-mists on Fridays. I discovered that my perfumes designed to attract humans especially men, such as my husband, also attracted insects, such as mosquitos. I learned that lemon and lavender repelled insects, most importantly mosquitos, which carried malaria and dengue fever. But, I presumed, also flies, fleas and wasps.
Singapore - How to Buy a Bargain
The marked price for lavender soap in Singapore seemed very high. I tried to bargain but was told, fixed price. However, after a whisper to my Singaporean Chinese friend, who works in the building, she spoke to the seller, who spoke Mandarin as well as English, and was offered a lower price, supposedly because she worked in the building, was less well paid than a presumed tourist (although I had said I was Permanent Resident, which is a government status for foreigners who live in Singapore long-term) - and maybe either because she spoke Mandarin or because she would be a regular customer. The moral is, if you have a local friend in Asia, ask them to bargain for you in the local language.
Meanwhile, back in London, I bought lavender made in England, more cheaply.
I checked online the UK factory farm visits and was amazed how many there were. I had expected to see just one, Norfolk Lavender, or two if you add the one my family went to in 2024.
The largest one in the world is supposed to be the large one in Tasmania, Australia.
Europe
You find more in Europe.
France
I bought lavender soap cheaply in a wine shop in the south of France. The village of Fitou, Frontenac region. The soap aroma was not strong. English lavender is stronger.
European Festivals
You will find festivals in mid-summer, in June, for example in Bulgaria, which has at least two (see my earlier post).
UK Lavender
I bought a lavender spray from Marks & Spencer in London. The spray bottle says it is for rooms, clothes and body. What more could you want. I just sprayed it all around and the aroma is strong.
UK Lavender Farm Visits
The name I had associated with lavender from my childhood was Norfolk Lavender.
More recently, my family went on a trip to a lavender farm in the UK, near enough for a day trip from London..
My family complained that, 'Not really anything for children to do. They were charging us just to see the farm which just offered views. A lot of money just to take a photo.'
'The cafe was closed by the time we got back there, so that saved us more money.'
I was disappointed that they did not tell me they were going and did not bring me back a gift of lavender bags to put in my bedroom drawers in the hope of repelling moths. Still, I can buy easily on line and visit there myself next year.
Buying & Planting Lavender Plants
I have lavender in my own garden in London, bought from a local garden centre. The garden centres sell two types of lavender, English and French. Try the aromas and see which you like most, or which is strongest aroma, or has the best colour plant.
All of the UK is in planting zones 6-9 which means the temperature and humidity which the outdoor garden plant must cope with. (A greenhouse or indoor part of your home, even an indoor windowsill, will be different.)
Trips To Lavender Farms From London
To Mayfield - about an hour and a half from Harrow going anti clockwise on the M25.
UK Lavender Farm Visits
The farm is closed until June but the gift shop and cafe are open every day of the week, 10 to 4 on Sundays, from 9 to 5 other days. The cafe may close for last orders earlier than the closing time so plan accordingly.
Lavender Anti Moth bags
You can buy lavender anti moth bags on ebay from thetownhousegarden
Sets of 20 from ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143436121031?\
Useful Websites
UK
https://www.mayfieldlavender.com/
Bulgaria
Bulgaria Holiday Tours
Australia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridestowe_Lavender_Estate
https://www.yorkshirelavender.com/
https://londonist.com/london/beyond-london/lavender-farms-fields-near-london
https://www.lavenderworld.co.uk/lavender-plants
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender
Products to buy
From Tesco.
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