Glamping in Virginia’s Lavender Fields: A Unique Experience You Must Try

It smells better than you can imagine.

Fact checked by

Jillian Dara

As the saying goes, good things come in small packages. And it doesn’t get much smaller or better than the single-tent glamping experience found in Catlett, Virginia.

Located about an hour outside Washington, D.C., the quiet community of Catlett is home to fewer than 300 people, allowing visitors ample space to roam free and find solitude. This environment is exactly what the owners of Seven Oaks Lavender Farm invite you to enjoy with their Tentrr setup.

For the uninitiated, Tentrr is a company that partners with private landowners to install small glamping sites on their property. Each site typically includes at least a platform and canvas tent. If it’s a signature site, it boasts a bed, Adirondack chairs, dining space, and even a camp bathroom. During my stay at this stunning farm, I could fully appreciate the unique setup. As Tentrr emphasizes about its signature experiences, “All the essentials were transported and pieced together by the Tentrr team to allow campers to travel worry-free and enjoy the utmost convenience.”

I arrived at my quaint canvas tent just before sunset, providing a perfect opportunity to explore the working agricultural site. Visitors can pay an entrance fee to pick their own 20 stems ($4 for children, $6 for adults). My travel partner and I roamed the field of flowers, observed the cows in the back, and visited the designated area featuring floppy-eared bunnies hopping about.

Once the sun dipped behind the wheat fields, I prepared for a unique shower experience. The shower was a solar hanging bag with an attached hose, located inside a three-walled stall that opened freely to the field behind.

5 Under-the-radar Glamping Sites Across the U.S.

With no one else around save for a few wandering cows, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Ironically, the only soap I had brought was a small emerald-green bottle of Hermès shampoo from the upscale Hotel Lutetia in Paris; however, its scent paled in comparison to the delightful aroma of the lavender swaying with every breeze. That fragrance lulled me into a peaceful sleep and reminded me that some of the quietest destinations in the tiniest corners of America create unforgettable vacations.

For those wishing to bring this enchanting experience home, the farm offers small upgrades. You can opt to have a lavender gift bag prepared upon arrival, typically including lavender linen and air spray, lavender lip balm, an embroidered lavender sachet, and a farm sticker and postcard. Mine unexpectedly also contained some exquisite lavender and lemon cookies, although I cannot guarantee yours will have the same treats.

If you desire additional items, you can preorder an assortment from the farm shop, featuring bouquets, pet goods, candles, soaps, and more.

This location exuded tranquility from the start, serving as the perfect entry into travel amidst an otherwise chaotic world. Upon waking with the first light of dawn and the distant sounds of roosters, I remained still to absorb the essence of this remarkable place, hoping to carry its tranquility with me for as long as possible. Thankfully, I now possess a small satchel of lavender I can squeeze and inhale whenever I need a reminder of this serene experience.