Notes from the host
Tent Site at Seven Oaks Lavender Farm Camp
Summary:
We were profiled in a January 2022 Travel and Leisure article! https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/nature-travel/tentrr-lavender-farm-glamping-catlett-virginia
Come join us at Seven Oaks Lavender Farm in Northern Virginia, an hour outside the DC metro area. Take in the sweet smells of lavender drifting on the breeze, and kick back to enjoy your rural retreat. Many farm-made lavender products are available for sale in our shop, as well as cutting fresh lavender yourself in season. If you'd like to enter to lavender field during the season: June 2nd through July 16th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, you must pay $7 for adults and $5 for children at the farm shop. With this fee you each get to pick 20 stems of lavender. Outside the season (after July) there will be other flowers to cut in the fall with no entrance fee.
LOCATION: We are in horse country of the Piedmont area of Virginia. Fauquier County is full of Virginia Byway drives, open vistas and farms. You will be camping on a historic farm property with a farmhouse built in 1860. Read the Farm History on our website: sevenoakslavenderfarm.com. Please know this is a farm stay. We are not a secluded spot. You will hear some road sounds from the country road in front of the farm. Moderate during the day and more between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Usually quiets down pretty good around 8 p.m.
ELECTRICITY: There are no outlets or electricity available.
THE NECESSARY: The loo is a solid wood box and seat that employs NASA tech bags. It has it's own little zip up privacy tent.
SUNNY SPOT: Since the farm tent is in an open field it is a sunny spot. We have provided a sturdy canvas umbrella that will offer you some deep shade for sitting in the Adirondack chairs or at the picnic table. If there is a storm expected please close the umbrella and store it under the base of the tent.
SHOWER? Solar powered to be warmish. This bladder bag will be full of water and can be refilled as needed so that you can do some light clean up. Both the loo and the shower will be behind a privacy fence.
SLEEPING SITCH: OK, here's the deal. There is a queen bed in the large canvas tent. There will be four bed pillows on the bed. You will need to bring all the linens and blankets. You can order one sheet set and blanket in the amenities if you don't want to bring your own. In addition to the queen bed there is room for three sleeping bags as well (tight fit for 3). Bring towels if you will be using the solar powered shower. There is a pop-up tent that sleeps up to 4 people. You'll be responsible for putting it up and taking it down.
FIREPIT: This firepit is an enclosed mesh type to suppress changes of potential fires. You can bring wood yourself if you like. Or purchase it from us. You can also bring charcoal as it is a 2 in 1.
PETS: We do allow pets. Please limit the number of animals you bring to two and make sure they are limited to the tent site area unless you are walking them on a leash. Dogs are only allowed in the lavender field on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon during the Lavender Season (see details). You may walk them anywhere on the property after hours though, but still leashed.
WEATHER: Virginia in summer is known for impromptu thunderstorms. Being in the country it usually is cooler than the city and the temps do drop quite a bit at night out in the field, but sometimes it's just going to be warm. We do provide a small fan. The thunderstorms come and go, and the tent stays dry but if there's a lightning storm it's best to wait that out in your safe vehicle rather than being the tallest thing in the field built of metal poles.
For months when it is chilly or downright cold, we do provide a propane heater that will keep you toasty all night. But we also recommend you bring along some snuggly blankets or sleeping bags, especially if you are going to be using the additional pop-up tent.
BUGS: There is usually a low level of mosquitos. Ticks however are a bit more plentiful. Luckily, they are 99% dog ticks which do not carry Lyme's. If you bring along a dog, you are more likely to have more ticks brought back to the campsite. So, plan ahead with some bug spray.
LAVENDER SEASON: Season 2023 will stretch from June 2nd through July 16th. Field hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Entrance fee during this time is $7 for adults and $5 for children. With this fee you get to each pick 20 stems of lavender.
SHOP: Pre and post Lavender Season, after late July, The Lavender Shop will be open almost all weekends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If you'd like to shop during the week, call Deb at 540-272-7839 to make an appointment.
The Space:
Come to your senses at Seven Oaks Lavender Farm. Get your glamp on at our historic farm property with beautiful open field views.
Guest Access:
PARKING: We have left a large space for parking at the tent so you can pull right up to it. It can probably fit up to 4 cars (there might be a little jockeying around with that many.) There is also a large field parking lot when you pull in the driveway that is open for you use as well.
ELECTRICITY: There are no outlets or electricity available.
THE NECESSARY: The loo is a solid wood box and seat that employs NASA tech bags. It has its own little zip up privacy tent.
SUNNY SPOT: Since the farm tent is in an open field it is a sunny spot. We have provided a sturdy canvas umbrella that will offer you some deep shade for sitting in the Adirondack chairs or at the picnic table. If there is a storm expected please close the umbrella and store it under the base of the tent.
SHOWER? Solar powered to be warmish. This bladder bag will be full of water and can be refilled as needed so that you can do some light clean up. Both the loo and the shower will be behind a privacy fence. Note: There will not be a shower bag available between November and early May due to freezing temps ruining the bag. That said there is always a five gallon water cooler available for hand washing.
SLEEPING SITCH: OK, here's the deal. There is a queen bed in the large canvas tent. There will be four bed pillows on the bed. You will need to bring sheets, pillow cases and a blanket for the bed. If you have more than two people bring extra pillows and the sheets, blankets and sleeping bags you will need. You can order one sheet set and blanket in the amenities if you don't want to bring your own. In addition to the queen bed there is room for three sleeping bags as well (tight fit for 3). Bring towels if you will be using the solar powered shower. There is a pop up tent that sleeps up to 4 people. You'll be responsible for putting it up and taking it down. You can mix as match as you want for privacy between the two tents.
FIREPIT: This firepit is an enclosed mesh type to suppress changes of potential fires. (There is also a fire extinguisher in the tent too though.) You can bring wood yourself if you like. Or purchase it from us. You can also bring charcoal as it is a 2 in 1 firepit and grill. Fire Safety: Do not move the fire pit from its designated area. Make sure it's not too windy for a fire. Never leave fire unattended. Don't use paper on the fire. Leave the fire pit as is when you leave, we will take care of cleaning it.
PETS: We do allow pet outside of Lavender Season (June and early July). We'll be open through mid-December and closed January and February.
WEATHER: In Virginia July and August are known for their heat and impromptu thunderstorms. Being in the country it usually is cooler than the city and the temps do drop quite a bit at night out in the field, but sometimes it's just going to be hot. We do provide a small fan. The thunderstorms come and go and the tent stays dry but if there's a lightening storm it's best to wait that out in your safe vehicle rather than being the tallest thing in the field built of metal poles. If you don't think you are up to the vagaries of weather in July and August, probably best not to book so that other more intrepid tenters can have the slot.
For months when it is chilly or downright cold, we do provide a propane heater that will keep you toasty all night. But we also recommend you bring along some snuggly blankets or sleeping bags, especially if you are going to be using the additional pop up tent.
BUGS: There has been a very low level of mosquitoes this year due to dry spring. Ticks however are a bit more plentiful. Luckily they are 99% dog ticks which do not carry Lyme's. If you bring along a dog you are more likely to have more ticks brought back to the campsite. So plan ahead with some bug spray. We carry an organic all natural bug spray at the lavender shop (and online) that repels all bugs with the power of essential oils. Check yourself over in the light of day at least once a day during your visit.
LAVENDER SEASON: June and early July of 2022 More details later.
OUTSIDE OF LAVENDER SEASON: (late July to late May) Generally our shop at the farm will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (check the farm website for details). If shop is closed you can reach out to set up an appt. to shop.
EXTRA FUN: We have added a cornhole game to the site. You will find it and the bean bags under the base of the tent.