Summer in Ontario usually comes with packed patios and busy festivals, but a countryside farm near Fergus is taking a quieter approach to seasonal tourism, because, as they put it, “the best things aren’t meant to be crowded.”
Hereward Farms is a family-owned lavender and sunflower farm nestled in East Garafraxa, about a 1.5-hour drive from Toronto. This summer, the farm is welcoming visitors back for its Sip, Savour & Stroll experience, a laid-back outing designed around lavender in bloom, towering sunflowers and, of course, a little countryside charm.
But instead of trying to cram in as many visitors as possible during peak bloom season, the 250-acre sustainable farm intentionally limits attendance to just 30 guests per day. And with tickets at $10/person, you’ll experience a much calmer and more affordable alternative to some of Ontario’s busier summer attractions.
“We’d rather give you room to wander, room to breathe, room to hear the bees buzzing, and room to enjoy your delish tea or latte without accidentally making eye contact with half of Ontario. Call us old-fashioned, but we think lavender and sunflowers are best experienced slowly,” the farm’s owners said in a recent Instagram post. “So while everyone else is trying to squeeze more people in, we’re keeping things a little more intimate, a little more relaxed, and a whole lot more enjoyable.”
The experience begins at the farm’s Lavender Lounge + Café, where you can grab a lavender latte or some locally made gourmet treats before wandering through the fields.
From there, explore more than 8,000 lavender plants and roughly 400,000 sunflowers spread across the farm’s rolling countryside! Lavender season typically peaks throughout July, while the sunflower fields reach their most vibrant displays from mid-July into August. And since it won’t be too crowded, you’ll have a much better chance of getting the most gorgeous Insta pics without anyone blocking your view.
The farm is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between June and September. Admission for Sip, Savour & Strollcosts $10/per person (plus taxes and fees), and tickets must be booked online in advance through the farm’s website.
Pair your visit with stops in nearby Elora, Fergus or Orangeville, all of which are just a short drive away. If you’ve still got the travel bug, check out these 35 essential summer day trips from Toronto.
