Sponsored by Hattingley Valley
Lucky Londoners - there are simply loads of vineyards close by that are an easy day trip away. We've picked some of the best offering vineyard tours, tastings and even overnight stays, just in time for English Wine Week (17-25 June 2023).
Hattingley Valley
Where: Wield Yard, Lower Wield, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9AJ
How to get here: Take the train to Basingstoke, then it's a short taxi ride to the winery.
We love the wines from this vineyard (you may have tried their wines on the Grand Duchess boat run by the London Shell Co) and really enjoyed our own tour here a few years back. Their winery tours give a deep dive into the production of English still and sparkling wine, the opportunity to taste the award-winning range and buy bottles at cellar door prices. If all this makes you peckish, they can recommend a couple of great nearby pubs for a country lunch afterwards.
Find them on Instagram: @hattingleywines.
Albury
Where: Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury GU5 9BW
How to get here: Take the train to Guildford then it's a 30 minute bus to Silent Pool
This gold medal-winning wine comes from a partnership between owner Nick Wenman and his wine manager Alex Valsecchi. Their organic and biodynamic vineyard produces both sparkling wines and a still English rosé. The family-run vineyard is a lovely spot to visit, welcoming children and dogs and open on days from March through to the end of September. There's a tasting room if you want to enjoy wines with cheese and charcuterie or you can also book a vineyard tour.
Find them on Instagram: @alburyvineyard
Artelium
Where: Artelium Wine Estate, Malthouse Farm, Streat Lane, Streat, Sussex BN6 8SA
How to get here: Take the train to Plumpton and then it's a 20 minute walk through the fields to the estate. Or go to Burgess Hill station and take a taxi.
The winemakers at this Sussex vineyard haven't been around all that long (their first release was in 2021), but they're already making waves on the English wine scene, winning a streak of covetable awards in their short history. For a young upstart though, they've got a lovely vineyard to visi with a tasting room and wine bar open throughout the year. Vineyard tours take place in the summer and they also do regular tastings and events like pizza and wine nights and tai chi in the vineyard.
Find them on Instagram: @arteliumwine
Ashling Park Estate
Where: West Ashling, Chichester PO18 9DJ
How to get here: It's about 90 minutes on the train to Chichester and then a 10-minute taxi ride
This is run by the Gardner family who owned it for 20 years before planting vines in 2009 and bringing in an ex-Nyetimber winemaker to help produce the wine. As well as tours and tastings, they also have a Gin School where you can create your own specialised gin (including the use of a still). They also have their own restaurant serving local and seasonal dishes.
Staying over: There are a number of lodges, built by Will Hardie of TV’s Amazing Spaces
Find them on Instagram: @ashlingpark
Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate
Where: Five Oak Ln, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 0HT
How to get here: Take the train from London Bridge to Marden. You can sign up in advance to be part of the shared minibus shuttle service from the station.
This impressive vineyard is more along the lines of the kind you’d visit in Napa or Stellenbosch. There’s a huge winery with multiple tour options from your own self-guided tour (free), masterclasses, estate tours and tastings. Or you can push the boat out and opt for the private Balfour Wine and Dine Experience where you’re given a tour and tutored tasting followed by a wine-paired lunch. The estate and cellar door shop are open seven days a week.
Staying over: Balfour owns a number of inns including the nearby Goudhurst Inn which is just a ten-minute drive from the winery.
Find them on Instagram: @balfourwinery
Bolney Wine Estate
Where: Foxhole Ln, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH17 5NB
How to get here: It’s about a 15-minute taxi trip from Haywards Heath station.
This bucolic spot in the Sussex countryside turns out award-winning wines. We’d suggest booking ahead for The Ultimate Wine and Food Tasting with Tour which includes a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, a vineyard tour, tutored tasting with a food matching plate, finishing with a seasonal mezze board and dessert and some Bolney Estate Gin sampling too. If you fancy just popping along, there's a lovely cafe and shop here too.
Find them on Instagram: @bolneyestate
Chapel Down
Where: Small Hythe Rd, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NG
How to get here: Take the fast train from St Pancras to Ashford International and then it's a taxi journey from there.
Probably one of the UK's best-known wine producers, Chapel Down is best known for its high-quality sparkling wine. Depending on whether you want to drink while you wander the vineyard you could opt for a guided tour and tasting which ends with a wine tasting in the shop, or a Walking With Wine tour which - as it suggests - involves quaffing as you stroll through the grounds. There's also a full-blown restaurant at the winery - The Swan.
Find them on Instagram: @chapeldown
Denbies
Where: London Rd, Dorking RH5 6AA
How to get here: It's a 15-minute walk from Dorking or Box Hill stations.
As one of the UK's largest vineyards Denbies has an impressive tour operation with three restaurants and a hotel on-site in addition to an alfresco dining option, The Hatch on the Lawn. Book a tour in a group and you'll get options like the 'Secret Vineyard Tour' which takes you to places in the estate normally off limits to other visitors. There's also a fun vineyard train tour you can take.
Staying over: The Denbies Vineyard Hotel has 17 rooms and its own restaurant and bar.
Find them on Instagram: @denbies_wine_estate
Fairmile Vineyard
Where: Fairmile, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2LA
How to get here: It's a 5-minute taxi ride or pleasant 20-minute walk to the vineyard from Henley station.
With most vineyards in Kent and Sussex, it's nice to come across this lovely one in Oxfordshire turning out award-winning white and rosé sparkling wines on the foothills of the Chilterns. Prebooked tours come with a glass of their sparkling wine to enjoy en route. They can arrange for local suppliers to deliver a picnic to the vineyard for you. It's always worth noting that the lower part of their vineyard is accessible to wheelchair users in dry weather.
Find them on Instagram: @fairmilevineyard
Forty Hall
Where: Gardener’s Rest, Forty Hall Farm, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA
How to get here: London bus routes 191 or W10 go to within a 10-minute walk of the vineyard or it’s a 20-minute walk from Turkey Street overground station.
Billed as "the first commercial-scale vineyard in London since the middle ages" this North London vineyard is just off the A10 on an estate that dates back to the 1600s. The mainly volunteer-run vineyard produces a range of still and sparkling wines. The grounds are quite lovely and there’s a farm shop where you can buy wine to take home with you. The vineyard does tours from April to October on the second Sunday of the month followed by a tasting. Right now they're crowdfunding for a new tractor to help keep the vineyard viable.
Find them on Instagram: @fhvlondon
Greyfriars
Where: Hog's Back, Puttenham, Guildford GU3 1AG
How to get here: It's about a 40-minute train to Guildford, then a 10-minute taxi ride
Greyfriars was planted back in 1989, and the current team took over in 2010, expanding to 50 acres. Their English sparkling wines have been award-winners, including at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Tours start at £22 and they've also got a lovely bottle and blanket offering where you buy the bottle and they supply the picnic blanket and glasses.
Find them on Instagram: @greyfriarsvineyard.
Gusbourne
Where: Kenardington Rd, Appledore, Ashford, Kent TN26 2BE
How to get here: Jump on a Javelin train from St Pancras to Ashford International and they’re a short taxi journey from the station.
Gusbourne produces world-class wines that you may have tried at the likes of L'enclume, Moor Hall or Le Gavroche. If the weather’s clement, then the Gusbourne wine picnics sound top-notch - choose from charcuterie and vegetarian accompanied by a bottle of their Brut Reserve. If you’d prefer to learn more about the wine then they also do two-hour tasting tours. If you want to spend more time, there's also a tour followed either by a light lunch or three-course lunch. They also do regular events throughout the summer including a chef series that's worth keeping an eye on. Read all about our visit.
Find them on Instagram: @gusbourne_wine.
Hambledon
Where: Hambledon, Hampshire, PO7 4RY
How to get here: Take the train from Waterloo to Petersfield where it's a 15-minute taxi ride to the vineyard.
You'll find Hambledon wines on some great London restaurant wine lists from Noble Rot to Brigadiers - the sparkling wines, at what they say is England's oldest vineyard, are regular award-winners. The basic tour includes a tour of their cellars and a tasting (you can add on a cheeseboard too). They're just about to open their first permanent restaurant in 2023 with the former head chef of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons in charge.
Find them on Instagram: @hambledon_vineyard
Nutbourne
Where: Gay Street, Nr. Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 2HH
How to get here: Either by car or head to Pulbourne station where you'll need a pre-booked taxi to take you the 10 minutes to the vineyard.
In London, the Gladwin family are best known for their restaurants but in West Sussex, it’s all about their farm and vineyard where they produce a range of well-respected wines, including a blush and a Pinot Noir. They do self-guided trails along with tasting tours and picnics and the burgers & bubbly nights sound like a lot of fun. From the cellar door shop, you can stock up on wine along with meat boxes from the farm.
Find them on Instagram: @nutbournevineyards
Nyetimber
Where: Nyetimber Vineyard, Gay Street, West Chiltington RH20 2HH
How to get here: Take the train to Pulborough and then you'll need a taxi to get to the vineyard
One of the UK's best-known sparkling wines, Nyetimber uses Using only estate-grown grapes from their own vineyards and have won many, many awards. They don't usually open to the public, but for a set number of days throughout the summer the there are open days offering a tour and tasting along with the opportunity to buy wines at cellar door prices.
Find them on Instagram: @nyetimber
Oastbrook
Where: Park Farm Oast, Junction Rd, Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5XA
How to get here: It's much easier by car, but you can take a train from London Bridge to Battle and back double back to Robertsbridge station and get a taxi from there.
Brazilian winemaker America Brewer is behind this successful East Sussex vineyard by the banks of the river Rother. Tours include a walk around the vines followed by a tasting with a food platter and there are summer tastings on offer too. They even do a kid's tour run by America's daughter Gabby along with special fine-dining nights.
Staying over: Good luck trying to get a date to stay in their amazing self-catering Vineyard Hollow, looking for the world like it's straight out of Hobbiton. There's also a waterside lodge that sleeps four and they also offer a luxury glamping option.
Find them on Instagram: @oastbrook
Oxney
Where: Hobbs Lane, Beckley, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6TU
How to get here: They say “we’re down the longest dead-end in Sussex,” so you’re going to need a car.
Oxney Organic Estate in East Sussex is the largest single estate organic vineyard in the UK. Visitors there can either stop by their tasting room and shop or option to go on a guided tour and tasting which happens every Saturday between April and November. Try their organic still and sparkling wines which are made according to a low intervention, natural winemaking ethos. Note that they’re closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
Staying over: If you want to make a weekend of it they have a range of cottages and shepherd's huts on the estate you can stay in.
Find them on Instagram: @oxneyorganicestate
Rathfinny
Where: White Way, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 5TU, United Kingdom
How to get here: The nearest train station is Berwick and you can get a taxi from there. The estate is vast though, so if you're staying over it's a good idea to travel by car.
This decade-old winery is dedicated to the production of world-class Sussex sparkling wines with bookable tours and tastings, but they’re also big on food. Their fine dining Tasting Room restaurant has had rave reviews but if you're after something more relaxed, then they also have the Flint Barns restaurant and hotel, just a little further down the vineyard as well as The Summer Kitchen which has alfresco dining and a marquee for less sunny days.
Staying over: On their huge estate, they have Flint Barns, a boutique hotel that's ideal for visiting the vineyard as well as exploring the surrounding area. Read about our tour and overnight stay.
Find them on Instagram: @rathfinnyestate
Ridgeview
Where: Ditchling Common, Fragbarrow Lane BN6 8TP
How to get here: It's about an hour on the train direct to Burgess Hill, then a five minute taxi ride
One of the UK's more well-known vineyards, Ridgeview has been producing wine for over 25 years, winning awards along the way. They run various tasting tours, including one with an all-Sussex cheeseboard. Their newly-opened Rows & Vines restaurant is an outdoor venue with heated, covered pavilions and an open-air roof terrace, serving up dishes of local produce designed to be paired with their sparkling wines.
Find them on Instagram: @ridgeviewwineuk
Terlingham
Where: Terlingham Manor Farm, Terlingham Ln, Old Hawkinge, Folkestone, Kent.
How to get here: They’re 10 minutes by taxi from both Folkestone West and Central train station.
If natural wines are your thing, then this small vineyard in Kent should be on your to-visit list. Tours are what they dub “an intimate experience”. They’ll show you how their natural winemaking methods work followed by a tasting, complete with cheese board and a slice of homemade cake.
Staying over: They have a self-catering cottage on the estate that sleeps four.
Find them on Instagram: @terlingham_vineyard
Tillingham
Where: Dew Farm Dew Lane Peasmarsh, Rye TN31 6XD
How to get here: It's a 70 minute train journey to Rye (changing at Ashford), then a 10-minute taxi to the farm
Tillingham is all about organic and biodynamic wines and launched fairly recently, back in 2018. They have an aim to create a balanced, biodiverse ecosystem across the whole farm. Alongside tours and tastings, they have a restaurant, presided over by former Silo chef Brendan Eades, which does casual lunches and more formal tasting menu dinners. Their dutch barn is open in the summer for pizzas (seating is outdoors) and there's also a wine bar serving up cheese and charcuterie.
Staying over: They have 11 rooms in what was a hop barn, including two dog-friendly rooms. There are also two bell tents for glamping.
Find them on Instagram: @tillinghamwines
Tinwood Estate
Where: Tinwood Farm, Halnaker, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0NE
How to get here: Take the train to Barnham or Chichester. From there, you can take a taxi, or there's a bus from Chichester that gets you to within a 15 minute walk of the estate.
It's all about sparkling wine at this vineyard near Chichester. They do vineyard tours along with tastings in their state-of-the-art tasting room. Vineyard Kitchen is their newest addition - a restaurant with a large terrace overlooking the vines, serving up British tapas.
Staying over: The estate has three luxury lodges with jacuzzis, barrel saunas and terraces. plus you get a discount on vineyard tours too.
Find them on Instagram: @tinwoodestatevineyard
Westwell Wines
Where: The Vyneyarde, Westwell Ln, Charing, Kent TN27 0BW
How to get here: Take the fast train to Ashford, then it's a quick 10 minute branch line train journey to Charing.
Experimentation is the name of the game at this North Downs vineyard - skin contact, wild ferments, amphora, pet nats you name it, they'll have a go at it. It's successful too - in London you'll find their wines everywhere from Padella to Portland. Tours take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and include a lovely tramp through the vineyards (or a tour of the winery in winter) followed by a tasting in their new tasting room.
Wiston Estate
Where: North Farm, Pulborough RH20 4BB
How to get here: It's about an hour by train to Horsham and then a 20 minute taxi ride to the estate.
Wiston's owner Pip Goring hails from South Africa and the vineyard here was grown to evoke her childhood in South Africa’s Western Cape. Planted in 2006, it's a 16-acre site with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay vines. Tours include a standard vineyard tour and tasting along with a bike tour of the surrounding area (bike provided - and they do offer electric!) and sundowner tours. Their on-site restaurant Chalk champions seasonal Sussex produce.
Staying over: From summer 2023 they'll be offering a self-catering cottage.
Find out more about Wiston Estate @wistonestate
Sponsored by Hattingley Valley
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