A funny thing happens when your train leaves London, you get to see open green spaces and the countryside.  After years of navigating the historic streets of London and walking along the Thames multiple times, I’ve rarely had a chance to leave the city other than my first visit eons ago when I did the whole touristy bus thing (visiting Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford on Avon, Windsor Castle and Oxford).  It’s easy to forget that England (and the United Kingdom) is more than London. There is so much to see outside of the city and I’m starting to look further afield to find the England I’ve read about, the one I’ve watched over the years and heck maybe just the lovely estate that they film The Great British Baking Show or Downton Abbey.   This exploration led me to the Hitchin Lavender Farm (fields) in Hertfordshire.  Now, apparently, everyone (ok, instagram chasing folks) is finding out about my secret lavender field outside of London

The stress of the city quickly melts away as the train speeds past fields with horses and through tunnels (so quickly that my ears pop).  I was staying with a friend outside of the city (a quick 35 minute train ride) and he was prepared to show me all the attractions in the area (there aren’t many although the villages do have many signs saying otherwise). Knowing that I love to take photographs of nature, he waited for the perfect day to surprise me with the lavender fields in the nearby town of Hitchin.

Insta-Perfect Hitchin Lavender Fields in England

Arriving at the farm in the late afternoon on a weekday, we easily parked and walked toward the fields.  There is a gift shop on the property (of course, selling all things lavender) as well as a snack shop with lavender infused foods like gelato (interesting), homemade cakes and lunches. Walking toward the lavender field, we saw a small patch of flowers not available to be cut just yet.

At the field, we encountered the ticket booth (there is an entry fee which includes cutting of lavender) which was empty, the fallen rules sign and a box of shears to cut the lavender.  The flowering season is mid-June to the end of August so our July visit was literally picture perfect. We saw a few folks in the field leaning over to cut their lavender as well as a professional photographer arranging his shots (note: there’s a photo fee for professional shoots). We continued to look for someone who worked there and with no joy we just entered and began to walk up the row to admire the purple flowers and watch the winds blowing through the fields on the blue sky puffy cloud day.

It had rained the prior two days and this day was almost too perfect for this to be England!  We didn’t cut any flowers, instead opting to just wander and enjoy the gorgeous views as far as the eye could see (they have nearly 20 acres of flowers which is almost 25 miles of lavender!).  I was in a relaxing dreamlike state until my serenity was disturbed by a familiar buzzing.   The bees were flying around the lavender so I stayed on the outside bumpy path rather than walk (or run scared) among the rows because once you start up the row you can’t exit until the end.

The smell of the lavender was faint for me, my friend said it was not as overwhelming as we expected but quite fragrant and questioned my sense of smell!  Leaving the main cutting field we walked the perimeter to see the other flowers, sunflowers and wildflowers, on the property.  I didn’t get to cut any flowers (maybe next time) but I loved the photos and the calming experience. We left the farm, turned left and then stopped at the first pub we found to enjoy drinks outside (can’t get anymore British than a pub in the afternoon).

Final Thoughts -Visiting Hitchin Lavender Farm

If you want to cut your own lavender, the cost is £6.00 adult (£3 for kids up to 14 with under 5 free) which is much cheaper than flying to Provence in France to see their lavender fields.   They sell Hitchen lavender products online domestically and internationally.

Lavender in England, who knew? I do now and can’t wait to go back!

Note: Since my visit, Instagram trips to the lavender fields have become quite popular so expect crowds unlike my visit where we had the field pretty much to ourselves.  Do make sure to take time out and smell the roses (um, lavender) because life is about more than instagram and selfies folks. Little did I know I was ahead of the insta lavender craze crowd.

Have you visited the lavender fields of Hitchin, England?  or other lavender fields? Was it an insta-trek just for the selfie?

Updated August 2019

Londoners are quite funny as they name the new buildings in the city based on their shapes – there’s the Gherkin, Cheese Grater, Shard and the Walkie Talkie.  I’m not sure of the proper names of the buildings or even their addresses but everyone seems to know what you are talking about if you say the names in the city’s financial district.  When all of these skyscraper (for London anyway) buildings were built, only the Shard had an observation area (for a price).  For other views of London, you can ride the London Eye, climb the stairs at St. Paul’s (not that high) or the free rooftop at New Change Mall on Cheapside.  Now you have Sky Garden.  The aptly named Sky Garden London is just that – a green space in the sky located at the top of the Walkie Talkie building.  Unlike the Shard and London Eye, the Sky Garden London is FREE to visit.  There are, of course, a few hoops to jump to get up in the sky but let’s look inside first.

Sky Garden London – Outdoor Observation Deck

When you exit the elevators and make a right you enter the vast terminal in the sky – it feels almost like T5 at Heathrow but despite the airport security you just endured in the lobby, there is no gate to run to and the food options are much tastier.  If you walk straight through the doors, you are outside with a glass paneled view of the Thames and London below. While I was enjoying the views, there was a guy not content to take a photo through glass that put his camera above the glass for an unobstructed photo and was quickly reprimanded by security due to safety issues (what if he dropped his camera over?).  The sunny day and warm temps made the outside visit quite nice.

Sky Garden London – Indoor Seating & Café

If you choose to sit inside there is a center café selling drinks, snacks and sandwiches.  Some tables have blankets (the air con was quite cold) and can be reserved  but on the day of my visit the sun was streaming in the glass walls and windows making a few spots warm and in need of sunglasses inside.  There was ample room to sit and enjoy the views and greenery (the number of visitors is controlled to avoid crowds).

Sky Garden London – the Gardens

The greenery is located up and around the top floor in a U shape.  There are stairs up and around providing you a 360 degree view of London along the windows.  You need to be able to climb stairs for this part of the visit.  On the interior of each staircase there are benches to sit among the plants.

Sky Garden London Views

The day of my visit was bright sun, hazy and humid (the hottest September day breaking records).  The interior windows are tinted as you can see from the photos and have markers on the windows for the viewing descriptions. The views are 360 degrees which is fabulous although your camera may have issues with the tinting.  As you can see I took a photo of Tower Bridge not of London Bridge which was in front of the marker.

Sky Garden London –  Food & Drink

Also inside the U shape above you are the two posh restaurants, Fenchurch and Darwin Brasserie, (reservations required) which are further enclosed and their views while nice seem a bit obstructed in my opinion.  The two bars, City Garden Bar and Sky Pod Bar also have tables (with reservations).

Sky Garden London Free Admission

While the views and admission are free, you do need to reserve a timed ticket in advance as the number of visitors is limited each hour.  If you are unable to find a general admission ticket, you can always book a restaurant reservation which allows you to visit the Sky Garden at your leisure.  The restaurants are open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. whereas the public free viewing access is open Monday/Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sky Garden London – Check In & Security

You will see a staff member outside the doors as there is a separate entrance on the side of the building.  You are directed into the queue to check in – one line for general admission and another for restaurant guests.  Make sure to have your confirmation page printed out or on your phone to make the check in quicker.  Also bring photo ID to match the names on the reservation. Once you’ve checked in, you move forward to the airport style security check.  Once you’ve cleared security, you can board the elevators (lifts) to the top floor where the Sky Garden is located.

Sky Garden London – Final Thoughts

I was really impressed with our Sky Garden London experience. My mom was with me and she was able to go outside and then sit inside while I explored up, around and down the various viewpoints.  The windows have markers with important buildings that you are viewing.  The café costs were reasonable for bottled water and sweet treats. I’d love to go back to experience the sunset as well as the city aglow at night.  Next time!  Sky Garden London is a wonderful opportunity to see the city from all angles and a great option for families since it is free.

Book Your Reservation at Sky Garden London

Prior to a business trip to London, I visited Amsterdam for a quick weekend intent on seeing the world famous tulips.  I knew I was cutting it close though as it was early May and near the end of the prime viewing.  As I was tight on time and didn’t want to navigate public transit to the gardens, I had the concierge put me on a morning group bus tour.  This tour had a quick commentary on the way to the gardens and a short tour in the gardens with a guide before I was allowed to roam on my own – just the right blend of tour and freedom. There is a garden tour bus from the airport if you have a stopover or want to go direct (its about half hour away).

Tulips (and more) at Keukenhof

The Keukenhof garden are impressive, even if you don’t like gardens or flowers, I think you will find yourself appreciative of the artistry, the colors, the relaxation you feel here as you wander about.

Walking around, you see flowers growing in and around the green carpet of grasses – you see sculptures that add depth and dimension to the presentation and you see the quiet hidden spaces you can sit and meditate.

This photo won me $250 in a Twitter contest – I used that Expedia voucher on my African Safari trip!

Water, Windmills and Clogs at Keukenhof Garden

You see swans on the water, you see people walking on water (a nice illusion for photos with carefully placed stepping stones), everyone just seems calm and relaxed -such a nice feeling.

The windmill allows you to climb up to viewing platform and the big clogs let you see if you can really fill those shoes!  The best part was watching all the kids (and adults) jump into the shoes for the funny photos.

Color and More Color at Keukenhof Garden

The views keep changing as you wander and you continue to appreciate the artistry on showcase here – the planning, the planting, the displays – a lot of work to give the guests a memorable experience each visit

Final Thoughts of Keukenhof Garden

Not sure about you, but I like places that allow me to relax and breathe in happy.  The time spent in the garden was a nice change of pace from the city.  I loved the colors, loved the designs, loved the art – it was one living art print in many pieces throughout the space.  It was hard not to photo every color, every flower, every view because you almost couldn’t imagine that these pretty things exist for such a fleeting time. So if you get a chance to see the tulips at Keukenhof Garden have fun, enjoy, take a bunch of photos but also make sure to take time to smell the roses tulips!

Note: For those local readers, the Philadelphia Flower Show is currently showcasing “Holland” through March 19th so you can surround yourself in thousands of tulips.  It’s definite inspiration to fuel your wanderlust and plan a trip to see the tulips in Holland for yourself at Keukenhof in Amsterdam.

It seemed natural for a Sunday morning to go for a walk in New York City.  But rather than head to Central Park, I thought that visiting the High Line would be perfect for Mom.  It was one thing she hadn’t done on all the prior trips (one day bus tours).  So while I would have normally walked to the High Line from the hotel, given Mom’s recent knee surgery, we opted for a cab to the starting point (not far from the Javits Conference Center at 34^th street between 10th and 12^th Avenues).

If you’ve not heard of the High Line also called the High Line Park, you’re not alone. Many of my friends were unaware and so was Mom.  Years ago, someone got the bright idea to convert the abandoned elevated rail track into a horticultural attraction high above the busy streets of New York City.  The result is a lovely green space with wooden seating areas (and a few lounge chairs), space to sit and watch the world below. They’ve also added food and shopping carts plus an outdoor café.  The success of the High Line has led many other urban cities, like Philadelphia, to reconsider their abandoned rail tracks to see if they can recreate the magic that New York has to attract residents and visitors outside to enjoy nature.

Since the High Line opened, massive gentrification has occurred and old buildings are being replaced by shiny new apartments and condos.  One of the first to take a chance on the area and the High Line was The Standard Hotel.  With rooms overlooking the High Line, for a while it became a voyeurs dream (imagine hotel room, curtains open, audience below). The Standard is a luxury boutique hotel in the area with a rooftop pool and a street level restaurant/café.  So at the end of the walk, you can be among the glamorous folks as well as the baby buggies.

There was a bit of construction ongoing so the High Line was shielded by protective netting and scaffolding in certain parts.  After climbing the stairs (there are five elevators at certain points of the park), Mom and I began our stroll. It was Sunday morning before noon so it wasn’t too crowded yet.  We walked slowly as Mom was pointing out all the cool things to me (I’ve been many times over the years and still find it fascinating).  The concrete benches were designed to come up out of the rail and you would see the rail theme interwoven throughout the walk.  They tore out most of the original rail tracks to create accessible walkways and common spaces for people to enjoy.

As we turned into a more narrow section and walked between the buildings, you could see street art, fancy condos and surprisingly two joggers attempting a Sunday run through the ever building crowds. We stopped for a break and a women pointed out the birds above as we sat in the shade (not many shady spots so wear sunscreen or bring a hat if needed).

Further along the path, it split into two options – one side could sit and watch through the plexiglass the urban scene below, the other walked toward the passageway that contained stalls selling food and vendors selling art and local crafts.  An outdoor café was on the lower level.

As we neared the end of the walk on the High Line, I pointed up and told Mom to look at all the people up there!  It was the new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art.  They had installed three levels of outdoor space and I could see many people outside taking in the wonderful views of New York City.  At the end of the High Line (Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking district not far from Chelsea Market), you can exit via the stairs or the elevator.  The High Line gift shop and restrooms are located here (under shade) if you need to make a stop.

We walked down the stairs and were enveloped by the New York streets of people walking by – some toward the Whitney, others crossing the street for the shops and yet others out for Sunday brunch.  Whereas the High Line was peaceful and serene, the streets of New York were full of life – throngs of people, taxis, Ubers and other trappings of urban life.  We met a friend at the Whitney to explore their interesting collection and to relax with a coffee before becoming those people above looking down at the High Line with a bird’s eye view.

The High Line is FREE in New York City, you only need to bring good walking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.  End to end is approximately 1.45 miles so not too far.  There are many places to sit to rest, read a paper, enjoy a coffee or catch up with friends.

Mom enjoyed this small slice of New York City.  Given her current mobility issues, it was much more doable than Central Park would have been and at the end of the walk, she had a coffee and art reward.  Sunday in NYC doesn’t get better than that – coffee, art and visiting the High Line.

Visiting the High Line & NYC?  There are FREE public tours scheduled throughout the year – check out the main website for more information.

Back when I was wearing suits to work, my friend and I signed up for an art class after work.  We were going to try mosaics.  Sound fun right?  Fast forward as I’m at the first class, in said suit with jewelry and new manicure, and told that I need to go buy ten pounds of clay as we will be learning how to make tile from clay to use in class.  This was not mentioned in the brochure as I removed all of my jewelry, found an apron to wear and took a big clump of wet clay out of the bag to roll out and be artistic with.  We still laugh about this class many years later as my friend still has our toolbox of glass, tools and creative things in her garage.  My memories are of cursing as I rolled out the clay, tried to “think” artistically cutting the clay, shaping it, painting it and leaving it to be fired until next class. I wanted to find my artistic side which I thought was hidden deep (very deep) down under all of the finance and accounting skills.  A second career in mosaics was not in my future as evidenced by my sad tiled flower pots and soap holders.  I knew my limitations back then so when I finally visited The Magic Gardens on South Street in Philly, I was in awe of the sheer scope, dedication and artistry of the tile and mosaic murals.

The Magic Gardens – South Street Neighborhood

Walking along South Street, you might pause to try to figure out what the junk is all about – the bottles in the wall, the bicycle rims on the roof and the multi-tiled courtyard you spy behind the gates.  Chances are you will continue walking, that’s a shame because one artist’s passion of work lies behind the walls and underground.  If you are lucky, you will find his thirty murals in the alleys and streets nearby but you need to be looking for them and have an idea of what you are looking at.

The Magic Gardens – First Impression

The artist responsible for the indoor gallery and outdoor mosaic environment, is Isaiah Zagar.  His work is included in many museum collections and he is the subject of the 2008 documentary “In a Dream” made by his son.  It’s hard to tell you where to look first as you enter and buy your adult admission ticket for $7 (what a bargain!). Your senses are on overload and you try to take it all in – the colors, the subjects, the vision and you are just in one room!

The Magic Gardens Visit

I’m not sure if the art is really ever finished but the Magic Gardens which consists of a house (gallery), courtyard and adjacent lot (below street level) was a project that spanned fourteen years as the artist continued to tell his story through the tiles in such a creative way.  To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it all – was it recycled junk?  Was it art?  My mind kept waffling back and forth because it was all so new and I didn’t quite understand at the time as I was overwhelmed by it all.

Looking at the tiles in the gallery, it wasn’t until I looked at my photos to see the space in a new light.  It’s fascinating to see how your eye returns one image and how you see it anew in a photo.  I kept commenting how “amazing” this was because I had first-hand knowledge of the hard work that goes into the art from clay to tile to grout to keep it in place.  Every surface is covered – floor to ceiling to bathroom! To me, this was a madness brought to fruition (this is why I’m not an artist).

The Magic Gardens (Outside)

After walking through the indoor home (gallery space), my friend and I walked outside past the open space that is used for events like music and weddings.  There is a path to the left, one in the middle and stairs to the right.  We started on the left and were mesmerized by the colors, the shapes, the words, the works left unsaid and the many other facets of life grouted into the garden.

Walking down the tiled stairs, there was a section that spoke of the artists wedding proposal which was fun to decipher and further down the stairs you were underground in what would have been the basement of a home that was never built on this lot.  Looking up at the blue skies, I really was in a mosaic dream, swallowed up by tile, by artistic license, by one man’s vision.  Love it or hate it you will at least appreciate the effort and perseverance.

The Magic Gardens – Final Thoughts

That one man could have the vision and skill to create the Magic Gardens is just one of Philadelphia’s many hidden stories that you need to seek out on your visit to the city. Take time to explore the Magic Gardens and surrounding art in the side streets and alleys in the neighborhood (they will give you a map to discover the other art). You may not “get it” at the time, but when you look back on your visit, I think you will say you were touched by a bit of magic too!

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is located at 1020 South Street and open every day. The admission fee allows for a self guided tour.  There are many programs and events open to the public, including mosaic classes, consult their website for more information at www.phillymagicgardens.org