Our council always plant wild flowers around where we live and this year they included some gorgeous colours of poppies. We keep meaning to stop so a can take a closer look. A few days ago a friend posted some beautiful photos of her boys visiting fields of poppies near London and we decided we should visit the poppy fields too.
When are poppies in season in the UK?
Poppies are annual plants with some seedlings germinating when soil is cultivated or disturbed. There can be rapid growth between April and June, and the first flowers usually appear in June. The flowering season peaks in July and August, although if you are lucky you will see some into September.
How many poppy types are there?
There are 70 species of poppies and various parts of the poppy have been used for medicinal purposes since prehistoric times.
How do you find poppy field locations in the UK?
Poppy fields are beautiful and, if you are respectful to the flowers and land, there’s no reason why they can’t be enjoyed by everyone. We found an amazing field of poppies near Welwyn, Hertfordshire. This was about 30 minutes from where we live in London, but well worth a trip. We have been mainly going out near home but the children were really happy to pack their rucksacks and head out for a morning.
The roads are still really quiet so it didn’t take long to drive up the M1 through Hatfield to Welwyn Garden City. We pulled off to the A14 and drove through some beautiful countryside. I appreciated the drive but my kids were engrossed in their iPads by this stage.
The poppy fields we wanted to visit were on Panshanger Lane by the old entrance to Panshanger Aerodrome. We parked in the layby and walked into the field, careful not to stand on any of the flowers. There were a few paths though the poppies so it was possible to take some photos of the children, and puppy, amongst the gorgeous poppies.
It was a really beautiful scene, poppies as far as the eye could see. The day was quite overcast but it didn’t stop us enjoying the experience.
How do you find poppy field locations in the UK? Sometimes these locations are carefully guarded. Poppy fields are quite fragile and I’ve heard that already some farmers have closed access to their poppy fields as visitors have been trampling all over them. However the location of some poppy fields are shared in Facebook groups so it may be worth searching if you’re looking for a specific area.
Do you have any plans to visit a poppy field this summer?
Beautiful, I do miss seeing the poppy fields, I used to Live in WGC, just down the road. Mich x
Oh wow! There’s one we found last year near us on the edge of the Cotswolds, but we’ve not been driving too far just yet. Hopefully soon 🙂
Hi….I’m looking for visiting poppy field/s……..you say there’s 1 by Cotswolds……would you have anymore info of where abouts …please…Thank-you Roger
Can you give me details where I can I find this poppy field. Wanna visit with my family
We went to Panshanger Lane.
Hi,
I have been looking for a poppy field and have come across with your post. Would you be able to share the postcode for this place please? I am thinking of driving there some time this summer. The place looks absolutely beautiful!
Thanks
Hi, can you please give the postcode? Beautiful pictures
Hi, I just been there today and I was trying to get the postcode from the pictures I took today. Unfortunately, it didn’t show anything apart from this location, panshanger lane hertford sg14. You won’t miss it, it’s on the left side coming from A414. There is a lay-by on the right side just before you get to the field where you can park your car. The space is just enough for at least 5 cars.
Hi Jenny Town. Once entering Panshanger Lane, where was the lay-by? I google mapped the road and followed the google images. I could see loads of fields before the old airstrip entrance, but no lay-by. Nothing appears on the right hand side of the road other then houses. Your help would be much appreciated 👍
There was no lay-by, we just parked along the side of the road, by the old entrance to the dis-used airfield. There were metal fences to prevent people from accessing the airfield but we were able to walk into the field to the right of the access road which is where the poppies were. The location is 51.798956, -0.148080. Hope that helps.
The Google Maps seems to be not updated. If you google map it again, just keep going along Panshanger Lane from A414 and you will see a road that leads to Panshanger Quarry (keep an eye out on the sign). Just outside, there is space there where people use if for parking.
All the best on your adventure finding it.
Its all we need to get ourselves back on track. A secluded yet stunning natural surroundings is the best way to relax and recharge to start a new adventure.