Regular readers of the blog will by now know that I am an absolute sucker for an Instagram picture. Over the last five years or so, each summer I get green with envy seeing people down south frolic about in lavender fields and the like. To my delight, Derbyshire now has several fields of flowers that are open to visitors. Here’s my round up of the best flower fields in Derbyshire. Whether you’re looking for tulips in the spring, a sunflower field in the summer or just a wildflower meadow, I’ve got you covered.
Picking your own sunflowers is a lovely family friendly day out to enjoy throughout the summer holidays. Sensible footwear advised. Updated 30th July 2023 but please check opening details carefully. Double checking directly with each venue is advised, particularly before making a special journey.
Flower Farms in Derbyshire
Flower fields in North Derbyshire
Ashover Family Farm, North East Derbyshire
Ashover Family Farm is probably halfway between Chesterfield and Matlock has become a popular place to visit for pumpkin picking in the autumn, tulips in the spring and sunflowers in the summer.
Sunflower Field
PYO sunflowers are expected to open soon and be open throughout August – when it is hoped there will be half a million sunflowers to enjoy! There will also be a maize maze and catering. Eastwood Lane, Ashover, S45 0BD.
Tulips at Ashover Family Farm
The tulip field at Ashover Family Farm opened for the 2023 season on 12th March, open daily from 10am to 5pm. It costs £4 per adult, kids are free and then it’s 50p per stem.
Plenty of parking (be aware the field can get quite muddy – wellies recommended!). Light refreshments available and there is a toilet. No booking required. Cash and card payments welcome. Dogs on leads allowed but obviously clean up after your pets. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Village Sunflowers (at Village Pumpkins), Barlow near Chesterfield
Visit Oak Tree Farm just outside of Barlow, not far from Chesterfield in north of Derbyshire (and also very easily accessible from Sheffield) for a beautiful sunflower patch.
Visit the sunflower patch featuring six different varieties, including more unusual red and burgundy sunflowers. Walk around the beautiful wildflower meadow, bursting with colour, bees and butterflies and pick your own sunflowers. There are lots of photo opportunities, farm animals to visit and refreshments (and toilets!).
Village Sunflowers will be raising funds to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine (since sunflowers are the national flower). Towards the end of the season, they will harvest the seeds so you can use them for baking, feeding the birds, or even have a go at growing your own sunflowers next year! Proceeds from seeds bought, and from any food bought to feed the hens, will be donated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal run by the Disasters Emergency Committee, helping DEC charities provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families.
Open now daily this summer – check social media for exact dates and times. Closing time is subject to change – if the weather is glorious and lots of people want to visit for sunset, they will stay open later to ensure everyone has time to enjoy it.
Dogs welcome on leads with a pup hydration station. Note that it’s a working farm with livestock and moving machinery. Please only bring dogs who are friendly around lots of other people, other dogs and children. Please do not bring nervous, reactive or aggressive dogs as it is not fair on other dogs or visitors.
Prices: Adults £3 entry, Children £1 entry, under 5s and dogs free. Free parking and £1 per stem picked. No booking required.
Village Sunflowers, Johnnygate Lane, Barlow, Derbyshire (Village Pumpkins on Google Maps) or use What 3 Words ///informer.caravan.point
Barlow Sunflowers, near Chesterfield
Barlow Sunflowers is a beautiful sunflower field located just outside Chesterfield, with plenty of beautiful photo opportunities including a giant deckchair. This is one of the prettiest flower fields in Derbyshire, and is also very accessible.
Open 10am until sunset everyday until early to mid August (check social media for updates). 2022 Prices: Entry is £3 per adult, under 10s free. £1 per flower. Free parking. Dogs on leads welcome. Refreshments available.
Four Lane Ends, Barlow, Derbyshire, S41 9RS. From Newbold/Chesterfield, the field is just on the left as you drive into Barlow, turn left just after the garage.
The Flower Farmers Big Weekend at Half Acre Farm, near Bolsover and Clowne
August 2023 Date TBA. Booking essential.
The Flower Farmers Big Weekend is a national event to promote local flower farms throughout the UK.
Half Acre Farm will be opening up the farm to visitors and giving tours, demonstrations and hosting ‘pick your own’ flowers sessions. Ticket only event, where we will be raising money for our chosen local charity ‘The Kitchen’. See social media for the most up-to-date information.
Happy Roots Farm, near Bolsover and Clowne
Specific events only
Situated on the historic Oxcroft estate, Happy Roots Farm is a family run farm selling fresh produce and cut flowers. First generation farmers Laurenne and Gaz along with their four children have a firm focus on sustainability. They run a range of events throughout the year – see the calendar here.
26 Oxcroft Estate, Oxcroft, S80 4NA.
Stretton Hall Farm Shop, near Clay Cross
Hopefully next year!
In 2021 Stretton Hall Farm Shop had a gorgeous sunflower field. Sadly the 2022 crop didn’t do so well and I haven’t seen any updates for 2023 regarding sunflowers but there is a brand new café at this beautiful farm shop. Hopefully sunflowers will return in future years.
PYO sunflower farm flower field in the Derbyshire Dales
Sunflower Corner, near Ashbourne
For the third year, Pumpkin Corner returns with PYO sunflowers – now branded as Sunflower Corner and the site has moved to Mayfield, Swinscoe Hill, Ashbourne. They are hoping to open August depending on the weather and the best of the blooms – keep an eye on their social media for updates and full details.
Explore the splendid sunflowers, enjoy a tasty treat and make magic moments with your loved ones! Picnic benches to soak up all the sunshine. Pick your own potatoes too.
Free parking within the field. Well behaved dogs welcome but please respect the field. Card payments available.
Find the new site, based on the A52, Swinscoe Hill, Mayfield, Ashbourne with What3Words: subway.branded.corner.
Shirley Hall Sunflowers, near Ashbourne
A pretty field of sunflowers to pick your own – with nine different varieties for 2023. Plenty of photo opportunities and a wildflower meadow trail. Light refreshments available from Lic Brew. Well behaved dogs welcome.
£3 entry, under 5s free. £1 per stem.
Shirley Hall Farm, Derby Lane, DE6 3AT or use What3Words lookout.golden.fixtures
Open in August on Sunday 6th and Sunday 13th, the weekends of 19th and 20th, 26th and 27th plus Monday 28th August 2023. See Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Flower farm in South Derbyshire
PYO Sunflowers at Pumpkin Plots, Eggington (near Burton on Trent)
2023 sees the second year for Pumpkin Plots, a pop-up venture by Laura and her family. It’s a very rustic and no-frills but offers a fun, great value time out with the family. Having started a pumpkin patch the year before last, they enjoyed it so much, and it was so well received locally, that they’ve already branched out to a PYO sunflower patch this summer. Check their social media for opening details.
There’s no entrance fee and parking is free, and the sunflowers will be competitively priced. Dogs welcome on leads.
Each year the field is likely to be in a different location around Egginton, Etwall and Hilton. Head to Derby Airfield DE65 6GU.
Where’s a good place to see wildflowers near Derby?
Kedleston Hall, near Derby
Since 2019, Kedleston has enjoyed glorious displays of wildflowers. This is part of a long term project to reawaken the character of the garden and offer interest for insects and visitors.
Open daily, 9am – 5pm. Restaurant, shop and toilets. National Trust members free. Adults £15, child £7.50. Kedleston Road, Quarndon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 5JH (for SatNav use DE22 5JD)
114 bus service from Derby to Ashbourne, calls at KedlestonHall summer Saturdays only, otherwise alight at the Smithy, 1 mile walk from hall.
Read more about Kedleston Hall and other great National Trust places in Derbyshire here. Looking for somewhere to eat and drink after your visit? Check out my review of The Kedleston County House.
Where else can I see a field of flowers in Derbyshire?
Wildlife Trust wildflower meadows
The Wildlife Trust manages several ancient wildflower meadows in Derbyshire. They are usually free to visit. Please do keep to paths at the end of the fields to avoid trampling flowers and wildlife. Full details here.
Frooms Dahlias, Findern
Browse the flower beds, purchase dahlia cuttings and make your own eco vase. Snack van. Open 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday. See their social media for more information.
With thanks to Helen Rowan Photography and the Derbyshire family who kindly permitted me to use their lovely photographs.
Find out about Derbyshire’s best pumpkin patches.
2 replies on “11 Flower Fields in Derbyshire to Visit”
A “bouquet bar” is such a cool idea! As I’ve got older, I’ve come to find the idea of going around nature, to flower fields and such much more appealing. When I was a kid, my parents would drag me around a garden centre and it would bore me silly as a little girl with nothing to do, which put me off places with plants/flowers. I love the idea of going now! Fab finds 🌺🌸🌼🌻
Caz x
Haha – I have similar childhood memories – but LOVE a garden centre now. I think it comes with age…