RHOSSILI: Sunflower fields open for summer today — but for the next fortnight it’s the lavender stealing the show

One of Gower‘s biggest summer draws reopens today — though visitors arriving for sunflowers will find a different flower at its best.

Rhossili Sunflowers, the flower fields at the Vile overlooking Worm’s Head, begins its 2026 season this morning with what organisers are calling a soft opening.

The farm said its sunflowers are growing well but are still a week or so away from full bloom.

The lavender, though, is ready now — and with the crop only around for a couple of weeks, the farm says July is the window to catch it, alongside the first dahlias and wildflowers.

Nearly 400,000 sunflowers are grown across the fields each year, in more than 10 varieties and colours, blooming from mid-July with Rhossili Bay and Worm’s Head as the backdrop.

The fields sit on the Vile, the medieval strip-field system beside the headland that was once known for growing some of the best vegetables in the UK.

Most of that land is now owned by the National Trust, with the sunflower fields farmed by Robert Morgan of Gower Fresh Christmas Trees.

Alongside the flowers, this year’s season includes a nature trail with free sunflower seeds, wooden animal sculptures — Paddington and Pooh Bear among them — flower swings, and sunflower and lavender arches.

There is also a Pick Your Own field, where visitors can cut their own bunches to take home — the farm suggests bringing secateurs.

The sunflower arch and heart have become a regular spot for marriage proposals, with the farm saying couples get engaged in the fields every year.

Entry is £5 for ages 12 and over, £4 for under-12s, and free for children in pushchairs, paid on the gate. Card is accepted, but the farm advises bringing cash as signal in the fields can be unreliable.

Visitors should park at the National Trust car park in Rhossili (SA3 1PR, £3 for two hours or £6 for the day), then walk around 20 minutes towards Worm’s Head to reach the fields.

There are no toilets at the fields themselves — the last ones are at the car park — though refreshments are available on site.

The fields are uneven but the farm says wheelchairs and mobility scooters should be able to access them, and dogs are welcome, with dog flower arches among the photo spots.

Opening hours are 9.30am until dusk, with closures on bad-weather days — the farm recommends checking its Facebook page before travelling, where opening times are updated daily.