Our Story | Norfolk Lavender History

Our history, our site and our distillery

Founded in 1932, Norfolk Lavender is England’s premier lavender farm, renowned worldwide, with nearly 100 acres of lavender under cultivation.

Set in beautiful tranquil gardens, a visit to Norfolk Lavender is a must for all visitors to the West Coast of Norfolk. We are open all year round, with the summer season being the most vibrant as the lavenders burst into flower (end of June to July, weather-permitting) and the air is full of the relaxing fragrance.

The National Lavender Collection

We are proud custodians of the National Plant Collection of Lavandula, awarded by Plant Heritage. This living collection preserves over 50 different lavenders. From English classics, and the oil-rich 'Maillette' used in our world-renowned fragrance line, to rare Mediterranean species and the ornamental beauty of Japanese cultivars, you’ll find over 90 years of heritage here.

Our ongoing programme of rejuvenation ensures these beautiful plants are protected for future generations.

Featured Varieties

Hidcote

Deep violet-blue flowers, compact habit. The classic English garden lavender.

Munstead

Early flowering with blue-purple blooms. Bred by Gertrude Jekyll.

Imperial Gem

Rich purple flowers on long stems. Excellent for cutting and drying.

Little Lady

Compact dwarf variety perfect for containers and borders.

Grosso

Hybrid lavandin prized for oil production. Strong fragrance.

Alba

Pure white flowers providing stunning contrast in the garden.

Rosea

Soft pink blooms, a rare and beautiful colour form.

Melissa Lilac

Pale lilac flowers with silvery foliage. Delicate and elegant.

Many of our collection varieties are available to purchase from our Plant Centre, where our staff can help advise on the right lavenders to plant in your garden.

Mini Lavender Fields

Take a walk through our mini lavender fields, and don't forget to tag us in your photos @‌norfolk_lavender

Our history

We have a long history here in Norfolk.

Our founder, Linn Chilvers, originally ran a nursery garden and florist business in Heacham, but he’d always dreamed of growing lavender on a large scale. Most local farmers dismissed the idea, and it looked as though his vision would never come to fruition. But then Linn met Francis ‘Ginger’ Dusgate, of Fring Hall, who thought his plan was worth trying. In 1932, the two men went into partnership to grow and distil lavender.

The great venture started with Ginger providing six acres of land, and Linn supplying the 13,000 plants required. The planting was done by three men and a boy, in 18 days, for a total of £15. And so began the long tradition of Norfolk Lavender.

Linn Chilvers’ lavenders produced oil of excellent quality and yield. In 1936, the partnership bought two stills which had been made in 1874 in France. They paid for themselves time and time again and remained in use until 2009. They can still be seen on our site in our Farm Shop, in pride of place as you enter.

Norfolk Lavender is now so much more than Linn could ever have dreamed! Since 2013, Norfolk Lavender has been proudly owned and cared for by the Williamson family, who remain dedicated to preserving the farm’s historic charm.

The journey since 2013 has not always been straightforward. Like many businesses, we have faced a number of challenges, including the lasting impacts of Covid, the rising cost of living, and the unpredictable effects of Mother Nature. These challenges have meant that we have had to adapt and make some difficult decisions, including the closure of our much-loved Animal Gardens in 2024.

However, we are excited about the future and have ambitious plans to continue growing and improving the site, creating new features and experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Our current focus includes restoring our woodland gardens following the impact of ash dieback disease, while also working to protect our planting from the local wildlife, including the muntjacs who have certainly enjoyed more than their fair share of our roses!

Although the sight and scent of lavender continues to dominate the grounds, their vibrant flowers are balanced by a host of other plants chosen for a long season of interest. The site is now also home to a Farm Shop, Café, Pizzeria, Plant Centre, and much more, making it a wonderful day out.

We look forward to continuing to build on Norfolk Lavender’s history and creating a place for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.