IN glorious summer weather, 3,000 people took advantage of two open weekends at Hartley Park Farm to marvel at the beauty of the lavender fields.

Both open weekends, in July, offered a special family day out and a chance to enjoy a tour of the farm on a tractor.

As always in July, the fields of lavender were in full blossom and, accompanied by yellow, red and blue wildflowers and the tall corn marigolds, greeted the visitors who were first given a talk and tour of the fields before popping into the Hop Kiln to see a film on the production of lavender.

With the heady smell of lavender creating a calming effect as they toured round, if they were suffering any stress the visitors had the chance to enjoy a relaxing massage from physiotherapist Beverley Maxwell.

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park, and with Selborne Hangers in the background, the farm is also a perfect spot for taking photographs and anyone needing help could try the photography courses Tina Bolton was running alongside Rosie Maxwell’s child portraits.

The farm gardens were open and looking at their best, while the marquee was busy offering homemade lunches and cream teas.

And queues formed regularly for the lavender and honey ice cream.

There were also constant queues throughout the day for the tractor and trailer rides to other parts of the farm.

Surrey Beekeepers were on hand to show the benefits of the wildflowers and lavender to the bees and offered tasters of the amazing varieties of honey produced in the area, while the children were able to have a go at traditional willow-crafting, where they could make their own willow creations.

Hartley Park Farm is owned and run by Tim and Anne Butler and the open days are a real family affair with all the generations helping out – namely sons Simon, Nick and Richard, and their children.

The money Tim and Anne raise from the two weekends will go to the charity Cardiac Risk In the Young and The Rosemary Foundation, which provides a local hospice-at-home service.

The Lavender Shop also did a roaring trade.