With summer holidays now in full swing, and the weather showing no signs of switching from sunshine to rain, you may have already reached the point of wondering how to fill those long weekends. Mooching around another National Trust property can quickly lose its appeal, and endless days on packed beaches can become a little stale, so what are the options for fragrance fans? After concentrating merely on the scent that comes from a perfume bottle, now is the perfect time to go back to basics. So, grab your lunch box as we enjoy a Blyton-esque "scented adventure in Dorset", and discover two gardens that are well worth a visit.
We often forget that the United Kingdom, and Croydon in particular, had a rich heritage of growing lavender. It was prized around the world and was actually more expensive than anything coming out of France at the time. Land use, and war, altered the fortunes of many producers but recently the fields have starting turning to “blue gold” once more. This encouragement, and also a desire for “a simpler way of life,” saw Julia and David Bridger launch Parterre Fragrances at Keyneston Mill. Four years later, and with three scents already under their belt, they have now released the romantically titled The Hour of Dusk and Gold.
