The History of Isle of Wight Lavender

The Medieval Grange of Staplehurst has been in the Abbott family since 1927, and is set in 183 acres of unspoilt countryside with 50 acres of ancient woodland.

In the 12th century the Grange was owned by Quarr Abbey. As one of the wealthiest Granges on the Island it was a very important part of the Abbey.

With an ever increasing awareness in the benefits of natural products and aromatherapy, the Abbotts felt that the farm would be an ideal location to grow Lavender.

The farm has plenty of sunny south-facing fields on well drained sandy or gravel soil - perfect for the Isle of Wight Lavender Company. It was not an easy conversion. A lot of effort went into preparing the land and the soil to make it suitable to grow award winning Lavender.

The initial effort was put into making the product right. Reasearching and growing the Lavender and nurturing different cultivars to find the best varients to product the essential oils that are used in the range of products sold by the farm.

The Abbott family became so good at growing Lavender they were selected as National collection holders and sell a wide range of French and English Lavender plants. The old farm outbuildings were lovingly restored and turned in to a shop and tearooms and company offices and the doors where opened to the public.

You can now visit Isle of Wight Lavender ten years on and see there award-winning operation for yourself. Visit the farm, have a lovely cup of tea and a select from a range of homemade cakes in the Old Dairy Tearooms and visit the shop for plants and products all grown and produced from the lavender grown on our lavender farm.

Isle of wight Lavender continues to develop both its product range and the visitor facilities on the farm. You can keep up with how they are doing by visiting the website regularly and watching the Lavender Blog.