Eager bees and butterflies flit around us. High overhead in the cerulean firmament, a classic de Havilland Dragon Rapide biplane murmurs lazily toward the horizon.

I catch myself humming a nursery rhyme remembered from halcyon childhood summers far too many years ago. And because it would have been perfect for the morning’s drive, I mentally kick myself for not bringing Marillion’s ‘Misplaced Childhood’ CD with us.

Sensory splendour

You see, today is about lavender in all its sensory splendour. Are we in France’s Luberon, Southern California’s Cherry Valley or among the stunning displays curving over Hokkaido’s gently rolling hill-sides? No!

Given that we are newly released from 2020’s first lockdown, we’re much closer to home. In fact, we’re enjoying early summer’s heat and lavender’s unmistakable earthy-floral scent in the Cotswolds. Now we can do it again!

Over 40 varieties

Snowshill’s lavender fields were a revelation last year – another place on the Cotswolds map that I can’t believe I’ve missed during all my years in Gloucestershire. Make sure you arrive early to make the most of your visit and explore the half-million plants, 140 miles of rows and over 40 lavender varieties before the crowds arrive.

Bring a summer picnic or – make that ‘and’ – treat yourself to delicious local ice-cream and a coffee. Then, having checked out the serried mauve ranks and on-site gift shop, find a shady corner in the peaceful adjacent meadows and daydream yourself deep into that amazing sky.

As we discovered, the lavender typically flowers mid-June before peaking in July. But timings can vary, so it’s worth checking before travelling. And remember that harvesting and distilling, which usually begin late July or early August, are snap decisions based on the weather’s daily vagaries. Come harvest time, 24 hours really can make the difference between seeing – or not seeing – this horticultural jewel. Just saying!

You’ll be relaxed as can be

Later, after your happy hours among the lavender, what could be better than visiting another local North Cotswold destination? How about the National Trust’s sublime Snowshill Manor? It’s only minutes away. Or pretty Broadway, just down the hill? Meanwhile, to the east, the many charms of Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold are easily accessible too.

Lavender may be ‘blue, dilly dilly’, but you’ll be enthralled and relaxed as can be after visiting Cotswold Lavender at Snowshill. We’ll be going back; see you there this summer!