Returning to Sweethaven Lavender

A full-circle late-spring day with my daughter.

A Late-Spring Day at Sweethaven Lavender

Today felt like the sweetest little pause before summer begins.

Not full summer yet — not the season of swim bags, sunscreen, wet towels, snack requests, late bedtimes, and all three kids home around the clock. This was that little in-between window while school is still in session, the days are warm, and there is still just enough quiet to sneak away for something simple and special.

So my daughter and I packed our pink cooler and made the drive to Sweethaven Lavender in Williamsburg.

Inside was her perfect little picnic lunch: a heart-shaped strawberry jelly sandwich, cotton candy grapes, her favorite crackers, and a juice box. Nothing fancy, but exactly the kind of thing that feels magical when you’re little and eating outside after wandering through flowers.

We of course got stuck in tunnel traffic on the way, but once we arrived, the pace of the day changed.

Sweethaven feels like the kind of place you slowly wander through — lavender rows stretching out in soft purple lines, wildflowers spilling color into the fields, bumblebees moving lazily from bloom to bloom, and little pockets of shade tucked throughout the property like quiet invitations to pause for a minute.

There were lambs to visit, flowers to clip, lavender to gather, a sweet little lavender shop to wander through, and lavender ice cream waiting like the perfect treat after flushed cheeks and dusty boots.

For two unhurried hours, we followed her lead.

My daughter moved through the fields with her basket and pink sciccors in hand, choosing stems like a tiny collector of beautiful things. She smelled blooms, inspected petals, clipped lavender, gathered wildflowers, and carried her little treasures with so much pride.

It was warm and bright in that late-spring Virginia way — enough to feel the sunshine on your shoulders and the stickiness of the day — but it still felt calm. Slow. Easy. The kind of outing that doesn’t need much more than flowers flowing in the breeze, bees buzzing nearby, a little girl in white boots, and time enough not to hurry.

One of my favorite parts was wandering through their little lavender shop, filled with products made from what they grow and harvest right there on the farm. Skincare, home products, culinary treats, and small giftable finds — all those sweet little details that make the experience feel thoughtful and full without being overly complicated.

And the lavender ice cream was the perfect ending to a warm afternoon in the fields.

Somewhere in the middle of watching my daughter move through the lavender, I couldn’t help but think back.

The last time I visited Sweethaven was in 2020, when my boys were just two and four. I wrote about that visit on A Hint of Sunshine — 'A Morning in the Sun with My Boys Among the Lavender' — and it has stayed with me as one of those soft, golden memories from their early childhood.

I remember thinking, when I later found out I was pregnant with a girl, how sweet it would be to someday bring her to the lavender fields too.

Today was that someday. (...continues after images)

Motherhood has a way of giving you these quiet little full-circle moments. At the time, you don’t always know which memories will become the ones you hold onto. A lavender field with two tiny boys. A quiet hope for a future daughter. And then, years later, a little girl with a basket, a pink cooler lunch, and lavender in her hands.

It was warm, whimsical, and beautifully real — buzzing bumblebees, flowing flowers, lambs, lavender ice cream, dusty boots, sticky fingers, and all.

A lavender-scented late-spring memory, years in the making.

And a sweet reminder that sometimes the best days are the simplest ones: a packed lunch, a pretty field, a little time together, and the willingness to slow down long enough to notice the magic.

Quick Tips:

• Location: Sweethaven Lavender is in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it’s a seasonal experience, so check their website before visiting for current hours, tickets, bloom timing, and available activities.

• What to do: Expect a slow, outdoor experience with lavender, wildflowers, animals, open space, and places to pause. It’s a lovely option for kids because it feels hands-on without being overly structured.

• Events: Sweethaven also hosts seasonal events, including live music nights and their Lavender Twilight Concert Series. Check their website or social pages before visiting to see what’s happening during your visit, especially if you want to make an evening of it.

• Food and treats: Their website mentions locally churned lavender ice cream, fresh lavender baked goods and candies, lavender lemonade, and sweet tea.

• What to bring: Water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a picnic if you want to linger a little longer.

• Photography: Bring a camera if you want to capture the day. If you’re a professional photographer or planning a formal session, check Sweethaven Lavender’s current photography policy before you go, as farms often have separate guidelines or fees for professional shoots.

• Bees: Expect them. They’re part of the flower-field experience, and they were busy doing exactly what they’re supposed to do.

• Best mindset: Don’t rush it. Let the kids wander, pick what catches their eye, find a little shade, get the ice cream, and enjoy the rare gift of a simple day that feels like something more.