Finding Dorset’s Sunflower Fields
Since our first lockdown, we have made a real effort to explore more of our beautiful county of Dorset and one of our favourite days out is finding field’s of flowers, which has previously included bluebells and poppies.
My husband has been working in Weymouth for the last few weeks and told me all about a field of sunflowers he discovered when driving home from work, so I did a bit of research and took the kids to find it.
The Dorset Sunflower Trail can be found at Maiden Castle Farm, in Dorchester and is set in the shadow of Maiden Castle Iron Age Fort and runs until Sunday 22nd August.
There are two trails, which let you get up close and personal with their beautiful sunflowers and all the creatures that inhabit them.
You can either take a relaxing and meandering stroll through the winding trail, cut in to 20 acres of sunflowers, or let the kids lead the way, which turns into a bit more of a race.
To keep the kids occupied, they are given a trail card, where they have to find the answers to questions about sunflowers and bees for the chance to win a prize.
The answers to these can be found on both trails, so you don’t have to do both if you do want to.
The trail is accessible, but if visiting with a child in a buggy, the terrain is a bit uneven and bumpy in places. I would recommend taking it though, as it is quite a long walk for little legs.
They recommend 40 minutes to complete the attraction, but we were exploring for a good 90 minutes before stopping to enjoy a locally made ice cream, with tea, coffee and cake also available from their Cafe on Wheels. There are also portaloo style toilets available if you need them.
They also sell bunches of sunflowers to take and enjoy at home.
The kids really enjoyed wandering around the flowers and if you want to make a longer day of it, you can head off to explore the hill fort afterwards and enjoy running up and down the hills.
Tickets cost £5 per person, with children aged 5 and under free. Visit www.maidencastlefarm.co.uk/booking to book online.
Sarah Howe
This looks amazing and so beautiful. I’ve wanted to go this year but not enough hours in the day. Had to settle with. buying a few bunches from Tesco!!!
Sarah Stockley
I would love to visit this sunflower field. We do have one not too far from us in Surrey, but it isn’t a big one. I have seen some wonderful ones and your photos are lovely.
Kira
We live nowhere near a sunflower field , I am so jealous. It is beautiful!