Beautiful blooms return as Sam's Sunflower fields open this weekend - with a celebration of David Attenborough
Sam’s Sunflowers open this weekend - celebrating one of Britain’s best-loved naturalists
The spectacular sunflower fields in Hayling Island will open this weekend which features a spectacular celebration of one of Britain's best-loved naturalists David Attenborough.
Sam’s Sunflowers in St Peters Road, Northney, opens this weekend where visitors can pick sunflowers from the 50 acre site as well as other floral blooms which are growing in the fields to take home.
The site also offers footgolf, as well as a 12 acre maise maze which this year is shaped like David Attenborough who this year celebrated his 100th birthday.
Site owner Sam Wilson from Stoke Farm explained: “Sir David was here back in 2020 and filmed The Green Planet and spent a lot of time filming sunflowers and is just an inspiration towards anyone who is trying to protect the natural world and make things better environmentally. And as it is his 100th birthday we thought it was a good thing to celebrate.
“This year we have also got a few different things. We have got a flower arrangement that we are still working on and have a few more details to do - that is My Dog Sighs from Portsmouth. We have taken one of his designs in a tribute to him and we have planted it out in flowers.”
Mr Wilson said some of the sunflowers, which have loved the recent warm weather, have heads “the size of dustbin lids”, with an ever-changing landscape for visitors. There are also events including its Friday night line dancing and dog-friendly Thursday nights which are always popular.
He said: “We are really excited to get open, we have got a lot of hard work still to do. We are open throughout the summer, and we have lots of events like a dog show weekend, a market weekend and three hoedowns.”
Mr Wilson said that he was expecting the site to have plenty of flowers until into September, with lots of facilities including food vendors also on site to ensure visitors have an enjoyable experience.
He said: “It is just getting out in the open air enjoying the weather. We are very reliant on the weather and all this hot weather has pushed the flowers forward this year - but we have a lot coming through.”
Weather permitting, Sam’s Sunflowers is open 10am to 4pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 9pm on Thursdays (dogs welcome after 5pm only), and 10am to 9pm on Saturdays and 10am to 6pm on Sundays, with some ticketed events also planned throughout the summer.
For more details visit www.stokefruitfarm.co.uk