TOP IMAGE © Shay Cathleen Photography
By Allie Murray
Follow along the fields of purple while strolling through Ontario’s Purple Road and discover the beauty of nature amid fields of lavender.
Run by the Ontario Lavender Association, the Purple Road is a map of lavender farm agri-tourism destinations, including local suppliers of lavender. The route is wide-spread across Ontario and encourages travellers to support local farmers and destinations.
Blooming in June, the Purple Road showcases Ontario’s lavender farms, artisanal lavender products, boutiques, and so much more to discover every summer. This summer, follow the trail and take a trip to discover one of Ontario’s lavender farms.
Bonnieheath Estate Lavender Farm & Winery
Waterford, Ontario
Located in bountiful Norfolk County, Bonnieheath Estate is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing, natural environment.
The lavender fields are in full bloom from June to July, drawing in visitors from across the province to explore the popular French and English lavender plants.
In addition to growing lavender, the estate harvests and distils onsite, producing natural essential oil and lavender water that are sold in their retail boutique.
With a visit to the lavender farms, guests can also indulge in Bonnieheath’s winery, available onsite, providing wines and ciders that capture the essence of the North Shore area.
This summer, you can stay on the property in the farmhouse bed and breakfast. During your stay, indulge in farm-to-table dinners with crops grown on-site, expanded food offerings, and even a build-your-own-charcuterie meal.
Lavender Works Company
Brussels, Ontario
Transitioning to a lavender farm in 2019, Julianne Terpstra and her husband opened Lavender Works Co. to provide handcrafted lavender products made with the soothing aromatherapy of lavender.
They operate on a mission of sharing the benefits of lavender by offering natural products. The farm is free to visit, family-owned and operated, and is explained as a labour of love by the founders.
With a visit to the farm, walk through lavender fields filled with butterflies, bees, and even the occasional dragonfly. After you’ve enjoyed what the fields have to offer, visit the farm boutique to take home a handcrafted soap, aromatherapy home and body products, or a variety of lavender bouquets.
Hereward Farms
East Garafraxa, Ontario
Operating as a family farm for five generations, Stephen and Julie Burnett are committed to providing the most beautiful, thoughtfully curated products utilizing the lavender they grow onsite.
In 2021, they planted 3,000 lavender crops and began creating lavender-infused farm-to-skin body and home care. The products they make are non-toxic, cruelty-free and include botanically-rich facial products, beauty tools, house and home essentials and more.
With a visit to Hereward Farms, you can walk amongst the lavender fields, shop the products, visit the Lavender Lounge and Boutique, and even stay for free in the Harvest Host, through the app by the same name where visitors can choose their destination.
The products are available both onsite at the farm and online. Without cutting corners by adding fillers or fragrances, the duo strives to maintain a 100 percent Canadian ingredient list and minimize the use of plastic through amber glass packaging.
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