FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Lavender Season?
Mid-June is when the lavender starts to turn purple, and it is all harvested by the first week of August. You can see (and smell!) lavender between those times.
When is the season for fresh hop bines?
The first bines start to mature in mid-August and we finish cropping them in mid-September, before they start to become battered by autumn wind and rain. Throughout the rest of the year, only the dried hop bines are available.
When do the orchards open for PYO?
Usually the first or second weekend of September. Ripening is dependent on the weather, and we will only open the orchards when the fruit are perfectly ready for picking . Our Newsletter and Press page will be updated as soon as the date is confirmed.
What is the difference between lavender and lavandin?
See the Uses of Lavender and Lavandin page.
What’s the difference between lavender oil and lavender essence?
The pure lavender oil, an ‘essential oil’, is the concentrated liquid containing aromatic compounds that is extracted from the flowers. It is used in perfumery, cosmetics, soaps and aromatherapy. For more information, see the Uses of Lavender and Lavandin page. The essence, or culinary essence, is a flavouring used in food. It is an extract from the oil and is specially formulated so that it will integrate with other ingredients in recipes to give a consistent result. For more information, see the Cooking with Lavender page.
Do we have a café or toilet facilities on the farm?
Toilet facilities are only available during our Lavender Festival weekends and for those on a pre-booked group tour. At all other times the nearest café and toilet facilities are located at the nearby Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre on Redmans Lane.
Is there an entry charge to the Lavender Festival?
There is no entry charge but there is a small charge for car parking of £2 per car, £1 for motorbikes. For more information see the Lavender Festival page.
Are our apples/meat/lavender/pumpkins organic?
Our pumpkins are organic. Our approach to our apples, meat (including our beef) and lavender is for a low-key management style, and our aim is to stock local and traceable goods wherever possible. While we only use pesticides/medicines when absolutely necessary, these homegrown products are not strictly organic.
Can products be sent abroad?
It is best to telephone or email us to enquire whether the specific products you want can be sent to your destination country.
We are able to send small bottles (essential oils, culinary essences, etc) abroad, as well as soaps and some gift items (tea towels, cards etc). There are surcharges for international despatch (calculated per order). Unfortunately we cannot send hop bines or dried flowers.
Will hop plants grow in northern England or Scotland?
Yes. Hop plants are sensitive to day length, meaning they will only grow successfully within certain latitudes around the globe – but this includes northern and central Europe.
Where else can Hop Shop products be bought?
Here is our list of stockists
- The Wild Garlic (Masterchef winner’s restaurant)
- La Fromagerie
- Lifton Farm Shop
- Farndon Fields Farm Shop
- Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop
- Thaymar Dairy Ice Cream