Why Wolds Way Lavender Is Worth Talking About

Summer holidays are now in full swing and the opportunities for experiential, light-touch learning at their peak: children grow by experiencing the world around them. Take talking. Toddlers’ first words are almost always an assortment of nouns, focused on the things around them – their pets, their favourite toys, food or family members. These words set the tone for the rest of life. We talk about what we know.

With research conducted by the National Trust suggesting that today’s youngsters spend only half the time outdoors that their parents (people like me) did – an average of around 4 hours per week compared to 8 – the effects are bound to permeate their understanding of the natural world and their ability to talk about it. This summer, I’ve made an effort, in any half-decent weather, to address this.

I’ve been talking to my family about where our food comes from, the changing seasons, the shifting colours. Pick Your Own fruit fields meant that my July was dedicated to the luscious reds of ripe ruby strawberries. Now, my August has begun as a celebration of dazzling purples – my favourite colour in all its forms: lilac, violet, plum or wine (my favourite drink, too).

Yes, August is the month for butterflies on the heady blooms of purple buddleia and, best of all, for luscious lavender displays. With this in mind, I headed to the Wolds Way Lavender, the visitor attraction and lavender and herb farm just half a mile from the Wolds Way Walk, near the eastern edge of North Yorkshire. On a beautiful August day, there are few places lovelier, with ribbons of blue bristling under shimmering Peacock butterflies and visiting Painted Ladies.

Wolds Way is different from many similar lavender farms, in that it has determinedly focused its efforts on creating an engaging and stimulating environment for visitors of all ages. As you navigate a way around – and there are many options for doing so – there are countless sensory opportunities and ways to experience the site through play in a highly-stimulating, not to mention, stunningly-beautiful location.

In total, there are 120 different herbs and lavenders, with their different hues ranging from white to the deepest purple, intersecting at various points with the wildflower meadow, as well as with ponds, dotted with darting dragonflies, both a haven for wildlife at a time when we need these efforts to promote biodiversity so much. Whichever direction one looks, the views are spellbindingly spectacular.

There’s also a great deal to do. Breathe in the scents, feel the different textures beneath your feet – here are boardwalks, there are stones. Brush past willow; walk through woods. Stamp on the giant footprints or dig the enormous sandpit. Try out garden games, a spot of chess or draughts, perhaps? Navigate a magical maze, or clamber across the Timber Trail play area. Burn off energy, if you will, at football golf, or take it easy and ride the miniature train.

Every care has been taken to ensure that not an opportunity is lost. Wolds Way Lavender feels like a place where imagination can be set free. Even the friendly metal dinosaur sculptures seem to declare ‘Bet you didn’t expect to see me here?’.

August is harvest season on the farm too. After the recent wet weather, the crop will be gathered over the coming weeks and taken to the on-site distillery. The next stage will begin and the produce will eventually make its way to the shop and into the home-made lavender scones served in the tea room. This is the place that keeps on giving… And there was plenty to talk about on the journey home too. It seems that my family knows a lot more about lavender now.

Wolds Way Lavender is wheelchair accessible and dog friendly. It is open daily throughout August, from 10am – 5pm, with a family ticket costing £20. You can find out more via the website https://woldswaylavender.co.uk/ or see their ‘Summer Fun’ activities at https://woldswaylavender.co.uk/summer-fun

Rosie Goodwin runs Yorkshire-based arts engagement projects through MakeMore Arts, working across the region with schools and community groups, museums and heritage organisations.