Have you ever dreamt about tiptoeing through tulip fields? Well now you can see them right here in the UK with a trip to Tulleys tulip fields. Like the lavender fields of Surrey, It’s amazing what you can discover right here on your doorstep. Feeling in need of an uplift, I embraced true flower power and headed off into a sea of spring-blooming bulbs.
Where are the best tulip fields in Hertfordshire?
The fields are based at Willows Activity Farm, just outside London Colney.
It’s within easy access of the M22, A22 and M23. It’s a bit more of a trek with public transport. Take a train to St Albans and then the 84 bus which stops outside the farm, (a 30 minute journey).
But if you want to get your steps in, you can walk from the station to the farm which takes approximately sixty minutes. Alternatively, if Hertfordshire’s not close, you can also visit their tulip fields in Crawley and Warwickshire.
How long does the tulip season last?
The tulip season runs from the beginning of April to the beginning of May. The bulbs are planted in the autumn and are carefully selected to bloom at different times. This ensures a continuous wave of colour throughout the spring. It also means that no two visits are ever the same.
Where did tulips orginate?
While we typically associate tulips with Holland, almost half of the 120 known species are from central Asia. Displayed in Ottoman gardens in the 14th century, their beauty was noticed by ambassadors from Western Europe. By the 17th century, tulip fever had struck Holland and France. And it’s said that some buyers would pay a whole year’s salary for an exotic bloom.
What’s happening this year at Tulleys tulip fields?
Tulley’s tulip fields are a family-owned business which has been thriving for the past four generations. Not content to rest on their laurels, this year’s display is one and a half times the size of last year’s attraction and boasts a staggering 750,000 bulbs.
How long to spend at Tulleys tulip fields
A visit to the tulip fields typically takes 1-2 hours. Make sure you have plenty of memory space as it’s a tehnicolour Instagram dream world. There are fifteen quirky photo backdrops including tulip pots, windmills and a clog wall!
But it’s the flowers that are the real stars of the show. The endless rows alternate between uniform lines and jumbles of contrasting colours and patterns. Delicate fronds are juxtaposed with angular stems. And as the sun strikes, the red tulips transform into a psychedelic sea of crimson. However, my personal favourites are the bold swirls and stripes that remind me of the sweets of my youth.
After you’ve visited the tulip fields
Once you’ve sated your tulip fever, there are various street food outlets and an opportunity to sample small Dutch pancakes and Dutch coffee. There’s also acoustic music to embrace the laid-back vibe.
While you can’t pick any tulips from the fields, there are ample opportunities to purchase small and large tulip pots. (But sadly, there’s no bulbs available at this time of year.) And if the plants are too much maintenance, you can even make do with wooden ones. While the fields attract thousands of visitors, it’s still spacious enough to not feel crowded.
How to care for tulips
To keep your delicate blooms in tip top condition, keep potted tulips exposed to full sun. And water sparingly only when the top inch of soil is dry. For bouquets, keep the stems wrapped in paper for 24 hours to maintain their upright position and change the water regularly.
I did initially wonder if the tulips would be worth the schlep from London but they definitely exceeded all expectations. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed by work, an afternoon tip-toeing through the tulips will give you the flower power boost you crave.