Put on your gloves and favourite sunhat! This lavender farm near Toronto is hosting high tea picnics and you can enjoy a delicious feast amidst beautiful purple blooms.
The farm is located about an hour outside of the city, making it a convenient spot for a summer day trip. If you don't have a car, there's a new bus that takes you from downtown Toronto to the lavender farm so you can still enjoy this enchanting destination.
I recently took a trip to the farm and tried the dreamy high tea picnic. Here's a look at the experience and what to know if you're planning a trip to the lavender farm this season.
Getting there
Avalon Lavender Farm, located in Mono, Ontario, is a gorgeous spot for a summer day trip. The farm is home to over 30,000 English and French lavender plants in 7 different cultivars.
The farm has brought back its enchanting High Tea Lavender Garden Picnics this summer in partnership with PIANO PIANO and, as a lover of both tea and lavender, I was excited to check it out.
Bus to Avalon Lavender Farm.Madeline Forsyth | Narcity
This year, Avalon and Balzac's Coffee have launched a bus service that takes you from downtown Toronto to the farm. Since I don't have a car, this service was a super convenient way for me to get there.
The bus leaves from Balzac's in Liberty Village every Saturday at 11 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. The ticket includes field access as well as a gift card for an Avalon Chamomile Lavender Tea.
People getting on the bus.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
My bus trip took a little over an hour and it was so nice to sit back and relax without worrying about driving.
The farm
The farm is nestled amidst beautiful countryside and rolling hills. Upon arriving, I was greeted with a boozy lavender drink stunning country views.
I snapped some photos by the welcome arch before heading down a forest trail to the barn.
A chicken at the farm.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
Here, I met all sorts of cute animals, including ducklings, bunnies and goslings, and even fed the horses carrots.
There's a large, two-story 1881 Heritage Barn that's home to spaces for drying lavender as well as a farm shop. I browsed through all sorts of lavender products grown at Avalon, from body lotions to lavender honey and candles.
The high tea picnic
The High Tea Lavender Garden Picnic is truly fit for a queen. The experience takes place right in the middle of the lavender field so you can gaze at endless purple blooms as you dig into your food.
Picnic table at Avalon Lavender.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
The picnics are happening every Saturday until August 10 and sell out quickly, so it's a good idea to book it as soon as you can.
You'll be seated beneath a long, wooden gazebo with a stretching picnic table.
The feast is provided by PIANO PIANO and features a range of Italian delicacies and drinks. I felt like I had stepped into a scene from Bridgerton as took my seat at the flower-adorned table.
Picnic table at Avalon Lavender.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
The spread includes savoury bites, stacks of fluffy pastries and drool-worthy desserts.
You can sip lavender lemonade from elegant glasses, bite into fluffy lemon ricotta scones and enjoy fresh smoked salmon topped with whipped cream cheese, capers and onion.
Other bites include caviar and cucumber sandwiches as well as cheese and focaccia.
No picnic is complete without something sweet and there are several delicious desserts to dig into. You can enjoy lavender panna cotta and lavender lemon and ricotta cannolis.
Picnic table at Avalon Lavender.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
While you dine, you can gaze over the expanse of purple fields and breathe in the sweet smell of lavender which will immerse you in a floral paradise.
The picnic tickets cost $99 per person or $297 per family, which accommodates two adults and up to three kids, or one adult and up to four kids.
The tickets include access to the fields and rest of the farm.
Other experiences
After the picnic, I had a lot of fun exploring the lush fields. There are endless rows of lavender where you can snap those Insta-worthy shots and enjoy the beautiful aroma.
There are several daybeds scattered throughout the fields where you can relax and take in the views, as well as a bench that's perfect for photo ops.
Lavender field.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
The farm offers a cut-your-own experience for an additional $10 at the door so you can even bring some of these blooms home with you.
Workers will take you to the designated Cut-Your-Own Garden and will help you cut the blooms to ensure the health of your bouquet.
Aside from the picnics, Avalon Lavender Farm is hosting several other events throughout the summer season, including a lavender sunset paint night amidst the blooms.
Madeline in the lavender field.Madeline Forsyth | Narcity
You can also enjoy yoga in the Celtic-style stone circle every Thursday to Sunday at 6 p.m. The experience is included in the field admission ticket and all levels are welcome.
The farm features a River Walk that takes you to the North Branch of the Nottawasaga River. As you wander along this scenic loop, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, you'll be completely immersed in nature.
Other spots to visit include the Celtic Stone Circle, the Avalon Apiary and the on-site distillation centre.
What to bring
I happened to visit the farm on an extremely hot day and came prepared with water and a few other items. It's a good idea to pack sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses as there is limited shade.
You'll also want to wear comfortable, flat shoes as the field is uneven and can be muddy in places.
Lavender products.Courtesy of Elaine Fancy
Whether you're looking for a romantic date idea, outing with friends or a fun family day trip, this lavender high tea picnic experience is a beautiful way to get outdoors and enjoy that summer sun.
I had such an amazing time exploring the fields, indulging in food and hanging out with the animals. It was nice to escape the city for a day and spend some time in nature.
Tickets for the picnics as well as admission are available online and it's a good idea to purchase them in advance. You'll also find the bus tickets on the website.
Avalon Lavender Farm High Tea Lavender Garden Picnics
Madeline at Avalon Lavender.
Price: $99 per person
When: Saturdays until August 10, 2024
Address: 347036 Mono Centre Rd., Mono, ON
Avalon Lavender Farm website
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
Afternoon tea tower with three tiers including sandwiches, scones and dessert.
Three of the sandwiches from the afternoon tea on a plate with a cup of tea with milk.
Three different kinds of desserts on a plate, one with a gingerbread cookie, another with gold and last with a candy cane.
