LAVENDER COTTAGE
On Henfield Common North Road you’ll find Lavender Cottage, a beautiful Grade II listed building with a fascinating history. In 1905, the building and neighbouring land was owned by Miss Ada Brown and Miss Decima Allen, who ran Violet Nurseries. This thriving business cultivated violets, carnations and lavender to be sold in the flower markets of London.
Lavender Cottage was used as the workroom for packaging and production. Women were employed and trained on site to work the land and make perfumed products.
During this period, the violet came to represent the suffrage movement, adopted by the Women’s Social and Political Union as their emblem for Women’s Rights. The suffragettes would wear violet corsages on their gowns, with blooms sourced from Henfield. Miss Allen and Miss Brown’s allegiance to the suffrage movement is evident from the 1911 government census which fails to list either as an occupant, suggesting they refused to take part as a form of protest.
The Nursery become so well known that it attracted Royal visitors Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, as well as other members of the aristocracy.
Hidden Henfield aims to bring you some of the highlights from a trip to Henfield. You’ll find suggestions for fantastic walks, alongside historical facts about the sites you can see, as well as information on how to explore the countryside, places to eat and where to stay.
Whether you plan to pop by for a few hours or stay for the weekend, you’ll find inspiration in this unique location.
Hidden Henfield
c/o Henfield Community Partnership
Henfield Parish Office
Coopers Way
Henfield
West Sussex
BN5 9DB
This Website, Green Wayfarer posts in and around Henfield and Visitor Information screen located in Village Care Henfield High Street have been funded by Central Sussex LEADER Local Action Group.
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