The name “Steed and Co”:https://www.steedandcompany.com/ comes from the 45 acre horse farm but we did not see any horses. It was such a warm day they were probably in their air conditioned barns!
As we drove down the hilly country road to the farm in this Area of Natural Special Interest we passed many signs indicating that the land belonged to Steed and Co. I wasn’t sure what to expect – how big it was, how much parking was available etc. When we pulled into the parking lot I saw it was smaller than I thought it might be. There is probably room for ten vehicles and there is a portable loo at the far side – that is the extent of the facilities as there isn’t a café on site. However, there is a little shop that you go through to enter the lavender fields and have a wander around. Again, the fields weren’t as extensive as some other farms I’d seen on line, but then again, it’s free to look around these and other larger farms charge $20 per person.
Given the wet, cool spring, the lavender was not in full bloom this year and the best bloom was earlier in the month of June but there was some in flower. There is also a flower garden with a water feature and there are benches and Adirondack chairs scattered around the perimeter so you can rest in the shade and take in the views.
When you enter the shop the scent of lavender hits you in the face as everything they sell is lavender based including honey, biscuits and other edibles. Between us we purchased a variety of soaps and jams and the best thing of all, lavender ice cream with four spoons. It didn’t all make it home. We also managed to pick up two of the last lavender plants for sale so hopefully they’ll winter well.
When I entered the address in my vehicle’s GPS it wouldn’t recognize the street number so I set it for a midpoint on Sparta Line and then followed the signs for the farm as I got closer. The farm is 3 km east of the village of Sparta.
It is open 10-5 from Tuesday to Saturday and from 12-4 on Sunday and Monday.
