We catch up with Mentley Farm Lavender founder, Louise Vickers, as she prepares for a busy season of growing, hosting, teaching and making.
Hi Louise, tell us about Mentley Farm Lavender
Welcome to Mentley Farm Lavender. I started the brand in 2021 as a swansong into retirement. I’d spent 28 years working for the Police in London and knew that beautiful scents and being outdoors had always had a positive effect on me, so I wanted to create an affordable space for others to enjoy. I wanted it to be a restorative place where you can learn new skills, recharge amongst nature and discover the versatility of lavender and all its healing benefits. We’re two minutes off the A10, midway between London and Cambridge, so really easy to get to.
This doesn’t sound like the quietest of retirements
Possibly not, but I’m passionate about sharing the benefits of lavender and that’s what gets me out of
bed each day. My partner, Andrew, is a retired farmer, and together we started growing lavender plants from cuttings on our four-acre plot in Hertfordshire. Then, in 2023, we opened to visitors. We now open throughout the summer months and people can come and pick their own lavender, sign up for workshops or buy lavender products made either by us or by local craftspeople. We can also be hired for weddings and photoshoots.
A proper little cottage industry! What do you sell?
We grow over 20 varieties of lavender, which are used
to make gifts, including dried lavender, essential oils, floral waters, soaps, body lotions, candles and wax melts. Our gifts are either made by us, or supplied
by other small businesses. We’re proud that all our products are eco-friendly and that the packaging is made from recyclable materials. As well as selling from The Yard Store at the farm and online, I also have a stall at a local farmers’ market, and often sell at other events.
And what sort of workshops do you run?
I run an introduction to steam distillation of plants for those interested in producing essential oil and hydrosol. We also host workshops on basketry, aromatherapy, wreath-making, herbalism and paper-flower making, as well as yoga sessions. We’re open to hosting new events, too, if there are any craftspeople wanting to get in touch.
Impressive stuff – what are you most proud of?
Well, sustainability is important to me, so I make sure that I use recycled plant pots when growing lavender, as well as recyclable plant care labels and packaging for all our products. I also run free distilling demonstrations as a way of giving back to local community groups.
Anything exciting on the horizon?
We’ve held several wedding receptions here over the past couple of years and I’d love to host more. It’s always such a joy seeing the wedding photos afterwards. Other than that I’m just getting ready for another busy season. The market stall has already started for the year, while the workshops and The Yard Store begin again next month. Then the lavender field will be open to visitors from June onwards.
Life sounds busy!
It is – but that’s just how I like it. At least I have my scented candles for a moment of calm, or I’ll pop a small lavender bag under my pillow for a good night’s sleep – you really can’t beat the healing qualities of lavender.
For more info, visit mentleyfarmlavender.com, where you can also sign up for Louise’s regular newsletter, Ramblings From Mentley. Instagram: @mentleyfarmlavender.