This summer’s relentless heat has significantly affected pick-your-own farms across Gloucestershire, yet several sunflower fields in the county continue to flourish despite the challenging conditions.
The region has been enduring its fifth heatwave of the year, contributing to what the Met Office predicts will be the UK’s hottest summer on record. At Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, many wildflower meadows have browned earlier than usual due to the prolonged hot and dry weather.
Nevertheless, sunflowers at the farm remain in full bloom. Visitors to the event field can enjoy dog-friendly activities, go-karts and the weekly Sunflower Sessions held every Wednesday until 31 August. These sessions feature live performances from local musicians, a fully stocked bar and an array of local food trucks, creating what the organisers describe as the ultimate Cotswolds summer evening experience.
Entry to the flower field costs £4.95, with free access for children under three and dogs. Please note that admission to the wider farm park is priced separately, and dogs are not permitted in that area due to close contact with animals.
Meanwhile, Priory Farm in Leonard Stanley, near Stonehouse, has had to close its sunflower field a week earlier than planned, ending picking on 9 August instead of the coming Sunday. The farm informed visitors that the recent dry conditions meant their sunflowers would not last as long as anticipated, leading to an early end to the season.
Over Farm, located on the outskirts of Gloucester, noted that its sunflowers bloomed earlier than usual because of the heatwave. While tickets are released a few days in advance, there are still slots available for this weekend. Entry is now free, although booking is required, and flowers are priced at £3 per stem.
Just over the Gloucestershire border in Oxfordshire, Glebe Farm in the Cotswolds reported that its sunflowers had “definitely suffered from lack of rain.” Despite this, the flowers have begun to bloom, and the field opened last weekend for daily picking from 10am to 5pm while stocks last. Six stems are priced at £5.
Glebe Farm’s website states: “Despite the lack of rain and an abundance of weeds this year – eek – we have decided to open the field as the sunflowers are blooming and beautiful! And we’ve had so many requests from our loyal customers… We are going back to basics (those regular visitors may miss the coffee van sorry!) but circumstances have changed… Happy picking and thank you for supporting us.”