Carshalton Lavender Harvest & Festival - this weekend

I'm currently doing some work in the very eco-aware neighbourhood of Hackbridge in Sutton, south London. There's much to recommend the area, particularly if you have an interest in all things eco.

There's the wonderful BedZed.

Photo by Bio Regional

And the river wending it's way through a largely unchanged rural scene.

Photo by yours truly

And yesterday I discovered that the area has a history of lavender growing, a tradition it retains to this day. Lavender growing on London! Wot really??

Well yes. Apparently at the turn of the nineteenth century, the area was blue with lavender. It was known as the ‘lavender capital of the world’ and the industry supported thousands of jobs.

In the late 1990s BioRegional, the South London social enterprise which was responsible for the BedZed eco-home development, worked with local organisations and volunteers to revive the lavender tradition.

Today there are three acres of lavender under cultivation.

Although much of the work at Carshalton Lavender is still done by volunteers, the project is increasingly able to cover its costs. It has even teamed up with a local manufacturer, to market lavender essential oil and Carshalton Lavender branded cosmetic products.

Photo by Carshalton Lavender

Every year there's a harvest where you can pick your own lavender. In addition there'll be:

• Lavender beauty products
• Aromatherapy and massage
• BBQ
• Face-painting
• Plant sale
• Lavender crafts
• Distillation demonstrations
• Information display
• Lavender cookies
• Paint-your-own lavender

This year's festival is this weekend. Find out more on the Carshalton Lavender website. Travel from Harringay by public transport takes about 90 minutes.

PS: I can vouch for the biscuits. I came back with a bag yesterday. My favourite were the lavender and cardamom.