The Phytobotanica organic lavender farm

Phytobotanica, is the UK’s first organic lavender farm.
Phytobotanica are based at Inglenook farm on the Rainford bypass, a few hundred meters past the roundabout, on the bypass, at Rainford on the north side of St.Helens. The information below is very basic, much more information about Phytobotanica, and far more information about essential oils in general, can be found on the Phytobotanica website by clicking on this link.

The Cafe at Phytobotanica lavender farm

If you just want to visit the lavender farm for a little relaxation, you can visit their new cafe , based inside the farmhouse and pictured right, for a relaxing drink with biscuits or a full meal.
You can eat or drink inside the cafe or, on a warm day, you can sit outside. The tables outside are on a clean well kept lawn with flowering bushes to the right (looking outwards) and views across to Rainford to the left.

The very polite and attentive staff at the cafe, ensure that unused tables are kept clean and tidy, as well as checking periodically to ensure that they address the needs of their customers and make them feel comfortable.

The farm Shops at Phytobotanica lavender farm

Phytobotanica has two shops. The essential oils shop, pictured left, not only sells essential oils, but many other fragrant and therapeutic products such as hand and body lotions, shampoos, hand made soaps, massage oils, bath oils and salts, plus many other products. The aroma inside the shop is worth the visit in itself.

The second shop, is the new, for 2009, organic local produce shop. Here you will find locally sourced organic vegetables as well as garden plants, which are also locally sourced and are very reasonably priced.

Below, is a picture of some of a variety of plants growing in the corner of the fields just behind the Phytobotanica farmhouse.

Lavender and other plants, pictured right, are also available for sale from the organic produce shop.

Essential Oil Production at Phytobotanica lavender farm

Phytobotanica grow not only lavender but many other plants, such as camomile and peppermint, which they use to produce essential oils. The production of essential oils takes place on the farm and can be watched during the free open days held at the farm. On the open days, visitors are shown around the distillation plant and also the laboratory where some of the oil based products are made and where research is undertaken. There are two special open day weekends, usually in July, which take place at the same time as the lavender harvest.

Phytobotanica also hold education days for students, with tours of the facilities, demonstrations in the laboratory and refinery, as well as lectures in their own conference centre. A Certificate of Attendance is provided for all attendees which can be used for Continuous Professional Development.

Hygeia School at Phytobotanica lavender farm

Phytobotanica also runs a School of Holistic Therapies, called Hygeia, which is based at the farm as well as in Altringham and at Liverpool John Moores University.
The Hygeia school aims "to teach to an exceptional standard and to include the sciences underpinning the use of essential oils (and carrier oils, base products etc) for their medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The sciences include the study of plants (botany, classification, taxonomy, biology, physiology, cytology) focusing on essential oil plants.".

Much more information about Phytobotanica can be found on their website by clicking on this link.

The farm birds at Phytobotanica lavender farm

Phytobotanica has a number of pet farm birds roaming around the farm. From Turkeys and Guinea fowl to various varieties of chicken, the birds walk around the farm with almost total disregard for the visitors only occasionally come over for an inquisitive look.
Barn swallows are frequently seen flying around the farm buildings and arrived at the farm this year in early April.