Magical Day at Purple Hill Lavender Farm
Lavender fields have been all the rage in the summer months lately, and understandably so. Despite the slew of photos we see online from the aesthetically pleasing countryside in France, we don’t need to go all the way to France to experience a walk through these vibrant, aromatic purple fields. You can find lavender fields in many locations across the world, including right here in Ontario, Canada!
I had the pleasure of visiting Purple Hill Lavender Farm this July. Although it was rainy, gloomy morning when we went, it did not stop us from embracing everything that the farm had to offer! To be honest, despite being a little on the chillier side, it was the perfect day for photos - so naturally we took tons! With focus on silver linings, the overcast skies provided perfectly dreamy and subtle lighting conditions, avoiding the harshness of the sun. The best part was the layer of fog covering the distant escarpment, immersing us in mystical story book magic. Photos aside, there was so much bliss in simply existing in this atmosphere, surrounded by misty hills as far as the eye can see, situated between rows of purple and pink plants that lovingly draw you in with their therapeutic nature. I imagine them saying: stay a while, you are safe and cared for.
We arrived for the first time slot of the day, which was from 9 am - 12 pm.
About The Farm
Purple Hill Lavender Farm is a family-run business in Creemore, Ontario (about 1.5 hours from Toronto). They sit on 50 acres of rolling hills on the Niagara Escarpment. The family home (which holds a lot of love and memories) is actually situated on a hill on the property; its beautiful Victorian presence perfectly tying into the quaint and charming aesthetic of romance and timeless country bliss one would find in the south of France.
The fields themselves consist of several varieties of lavender, all equally as alluring and potent. The passion, professionalism, and overall good energy is evident as soon as you arrive.
They are open everyday except for Tuesday, from 9 am - 4 pm.
The Experience
A visit to the farm requires booking a time and purchasing your tickets in advance on their website. The tickets are $15 (cad) and you can find them here. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Once you arrive, there is a gravel parking lot directly as you pull into the driveway. The check-in building (and shop) is a short walk from the parking; to check in, you just walk into the building (may have to wait outside, depending on capacity inside) and show your ticket confirmation on your phone or printed paper.
Did you really go to a lavender field unless you (respectfully) frolicked through the fields? I think not! You are free to roam the property for as long as you’d like (within your time frame), so definitely take it slow and enjoy the environment. There are also walking trails around the property, including a 2.5 km loop through the forest. As you float around, you become engulfed in the soothing lavender smells that ease your mind and calm your body. The home that sits in the distance was built in 1989 to replicate the homestead of the girls’ late mother. You can certainly feel the genuine and inviting family charm; a local business to proudly support!
Make sure to save some time to visit the shop, which was actually their mothers’ horse barn prior to its transformation! It’s a special place. The shop has a great assortment of products, including: candles, soaps and bath soaks/washes, body butters and oils, beeswax wraps, self-care items, honey, teas, lavender of course (dried, fresh, and culinary), and more! All of the products utilize the scent and properties of the lavender. You can also purchase gift cards. They also partner with local businesses; make sure to check out the absolutely stunning handmade clay earrings by ‘Pretty By Payge,’ which are made with pressed lavender from the farm.
I highly highly recommend the lavender eye pillow! I liked the sound of it so I bought it on a whim, and it has become a huge staple in my bedtime routine. It is infused with lavender and it can be heated for up to 30 seconds. It knocks me out every night, and I’ve had amazing sleep since I started using it!
I made a short cinematic clip on Instagram to give you a better visual sense of what the experience was like. You can check it out here. ♡
Things To Note:
The farm does run on reservations to limit the capacity, though, if you would like a quieter, less busy experience (especially if you are planning on taking many photos), plan to arrive during the first time slot of the day, which is at 9 am.
Don’t be afraid of the rain! We went during a rainy day and the farm was absolutely majestic.
The road to the farm can be a little bumpy, as country roads often are. Something to keep in mind.
It is not a pick-your-own farm, so you cannot collect the lavender from the fields. But you can buy some at the shop!
You can buy their products onsite or shop for them on on their website.
There are many bees flying around the farm, pollinating the flowers. They mind their own business, so let them do their thing, but avoid getting too close to the plants and hopping over rows - as this can disturb them.
There is no food or beverage service onsite, but you can definitely head to Creemore (4 min drive), or for a larger assortment of options, you can head to Collingwood (about 25 min drive).
There is a lovely little pond on the left side, closer to the family house. It’s a good place for the kids to seek out some frogs!
There is a portable bathroom beside the parking lot. It was clean and well-maintained.
There are chairs situated around the property for guests to enjoy. There are also a few boho-style cotton swings beside the visitor building.
The farm is considered wheelchair, wagon, and stroller accessible; keep in mind that there are no specifically designed walkways, so it can become bumpy. The lavender fields are decently leveled and flat though!
The farm does custom orders, such as: wedding/party favors, flower crowns, bulk lavender bundles for décor & centerpieces, and more.
If you visit the farm earlier in the day and have time to spare, check out Noisy River Provincial Park nearby!
Photography: they allow non-commercial photography at anytime; however, for private and commercial shoots, you do have to book a time away from the weekends. They also do not allow drones on the property, as they are disruptive. They encourage you to tag their Instagram page in your photos. You can find them at @purplehill_lavender. They post updates on there as well.
Although for us it was a bit tough (since the rain was increasing and it got a bit too chilly), I encourage you to simply be present and embrace the atmosphere here. Bring a picnic setup (& leave no trace of course), put the camera down and walk around, and just sit with your thoughts.
Stay tuned for the next adventure.