The best vineyards in the UK you can visit

Vineyards in Kent

Hush Heath Estate, Tonbridge
The flagship wine of this 400-acre estate (including apple orchards, wildflower meadows and ancient oak woodlands) is the sparkling Balfour Brut Rosé, which was the official English wine of the London 2012 Olympics. Still and sparkling wines are produced under the Balfour label, plus beer and cider.

What’s on offer? Take a self-guided tour (free), try a self-tutored tasting at the cellar door (from £5pp) or opt for a one hour tasting masterclass (from £25pp) or full estate tour and tasting (from £45pp). The Balfour Wine and Dine Experience includes a glass of fizz, in-depth tour, tasting and three-course lunch with wine (£175pp). There’s even an art and wine tour, starring pieces from the vineyard owners’ collection (Wednesdays, £35pp). Visit hushheath.com

Where? Hush Heath Estate, Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst, Tonbridge TN12 0HT

 

Chapel Down, Tenterden
Chapel Down supply 10 Downing Street and were the first English wine brand served at Ascot – to give you an indication of their calibre. Established in 2001, the brand produces still and sparkling wines, plus vodka and gin. The majority of its vines are located across Kent’s North Downs, with its flagship vineyard at Tenterden.

 

What’s on offer? The two-hour guided tour of the Tenterden estate and winery (from £28pp) includes a wine tasting and there’s also a walking wine tour (where you can taste wines amongst the vines; from £38pp). Food lovers can opt for a tour that concludes with afternoon tea, dinner at estate restaurant The Swan or a wine tasting paired with local cheeses. Visit chapeldown.com

Where? Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG

 

Biddenden Vineyards, Biddenden
Originally an apple orchard, the first vines were planted at this vineyard in 1969 and today it’s run by the second and third generation of the Barnes family. 11 varieties of grape are used to produce red, white, rose and sparkling wines and there’s cider and juice too.

What’s on offer? Guests can take a self-guided tour, purchasing a guide booklet and tasting flight from the vineyard shop, or book private guided tour (Wednesday-Saturday, £40pp) to get the full story, step inside the winery and have a tutored tasting. Visit biddendenvineyards.com

Where? Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8DF

 

Terlingham Vineyard, Folkestone
Lorna and Graham Wilks took over Terlingham Vineyard in 2011 after moving from South Africa to the UK and, working with their three daughters, take a natural approach in the production of their white, rosé and sparkling wines. Pesticides and herbicides are avoided, and wild flora and fauna encouraged.

What’s on offer? Meet the family and stroll the vines, learning about natural wine production, before a wine tasting, cheeseboard and slice of cake (Thursdays & Saturdays, £30pp). The vineyard also hosts wellness retreats and has B&B rooms. Visit terlinghamvineyard.co.uk

Where? Terlingham Vineyard, Terlingham Lane, Hawkinge, Kent, CT18 7AE

 

Gusbourne, Ashford
The Gusbourne Estate produces English sparkling wine exclusively, making it a prime day out for fizz fans. The estate dates all the way back to 1410, but it wasn’t until 2004 that vines were planted, with the vineyard’s debut vintages released in 2010 to acclaim.

 

What’s on offer? Embark on a two-hour tour for £30pp (including time in the vines, winery and tasting); there’s the option to add an extended tasting and casual lunch (£85pp) or three-course affair (£100pp). Or book a picnic, featuring local cheese and charcuterie, to enjoy among the vines (£90 for two). Visit gusbourne.com

Where? Gusbourne, Kenardington Road, Appledore, Ashford, Kent, TN26 2BE

 

Simpsons Wine Estate, Canterbury
Elham Valley in the North Downs is home to Simpsons’ two vineyards, the Roman Road vineyard and Railway Hill vineyard, both planted with chardonnay, pinot meunier and pinot noir grapes. Between the two is the winery.

What’s on offer? Drop in on a weekday afternoon for a tutored wine tasting (£15pp) or visit at the weekend to explore the Roman Road vineyard and inside the winery (£30pp). On Friday nights, add a glass of sparkling and cheese and charcuterie platter to your tour (£35pp). Visit simpsonswine.com

Where? Simpsons Wine Estate, The Barns, Church Lane, Barham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6PB

 

Vineyards in Suffolk

Giffords Hall Vineyard, Hartest
This family-owned vineyard says its bottles have a floral quality distinctive to this region, where the sandy/clay soil is particularly suited to creating sparkling and dry, aromatic wines.

What’s on offer? Book onto one of the monthly grand tours with tasting (£25) or choose from three private group tours (minimum eight guests): all include info on the vineyard’s grapes, the history of English wine and production process, and a still wine and liqueur tasting with canapes. Add a cheeseboard or glass of sparkling for an extra charge. Visit giffordshall.co.uk

Where? Giffords Hall Vineyard, Hartest, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 4EX

 

Wyken Vineyards, Bury St Edmunds
You’ll find Shetland sheep, beautiful gardens and a shop stocking pottery, clothes and books on this 1,200-acre farm as well as 7 acres of vineyard. There’s also a café serving wood-fired pizza and well-regarded restaurant, Leaping Hare – which you can walk to the vineyard through a meadow and woodland from.

What’s on offer? Guided tours are available by arrangement; email shop@wykenvineyards.co.uk.

Where? Wyken Vineyards, Wyken Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2DW

 

Vineyards in Sussex

Tinwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex
Set at the foot of South Downs National Park, the Tinwood Estate is known for its sparkling wines, producing a brut, blanc de blancs and rosé.

What’s on offer? Tinwood’s vineyard tour lasts and hour and half and includes three glasses of sparkling wine (£21pp), with lots of lovely to add-ons to choose from, including a cheese platter for two or canapé selections and afternoon tea cakes and savouries for larger groups. There’s also the option to enjoy a sparkling afternoon tea after your tour (£49pp) and you can stay the night in one of the vineyard’s lodges. Visit tinwoodestate.com

Where? Tinwood Farm, Halnaker, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NE

 

Rathfinny Wine Estate, Alfriston, East Sussex
This family-owned vineyard was established in 2010 and produces vintage sparkling wine from grapes hand-harvested in the South Downs. It also makes a limited number still Sussex wines under the label Cradle Valley, plus grape-based spirits.

What’s on offer? Learn about a year in the life of the estate on a tour, concluding with a guided tasting (Friday-Sunday, £27.50pp). Other options: take a self-guided tour or book a Dine in the Vines barbecue lunch with the menu for August including courgette flowers, sirloin of beef, and dessert of white peach and lemon thyme tart, in a secluded bank setting overlooking the vineyards (Friday-Sunday, £75pp). Walk-ins can enjoy antipasti platters al fresco or light bites from the two restaurants on site, or just coffee with a view from the cart. Visit rathfinnyestate.com

Where? Rathfinny Wine Estate, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5TU

 

Bolney Wine Estate, Haywards HeathFive unique vineyard sites at the edge of the South Downs contribute to Bolney’s still and sparkling wines, made from six types of grape: pinot noir, rondo, dornfelder, chardonnay, bacchus and pinot gris.

 

What’s on offer? The estate offers a variety of tours and wine tasting packages, including food matching (from £60pp) and cheese (from £30) options. Visit the Eighteen Acre Café for lunch or enjoy takeaway goodies or a hamper from the shop (with wine and nibbles) at the estate’s new picnic area. Visit bolneywineestate.com

Where? Bolney Wine Estate, Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5NB

 

Also in Sussex…
Kingscote Estate and Vineyard, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Oxney Organic Estate, Rye, East Sussex
Bluebell Vineyard Estates, Furners Green, East Sussex
Ridgeview Wine Estate, Ditchling Common, East Sussex

 

Vineyards in Surrey

Greyfriars Vineyard, Puttenham, near Guildford
Greyfriars’ original vineyard was planted in 1989; new owners took over in 2010, adding another 40 acres of vines and building a new winery and underground cellar. Today the focus is on sparkling wine that reflects the local landscape of the Surrey North Downs.

What’s on offer? Tours include a relaxed walk through the vines, finishing with a tasting on the viewing deck, sited in the middle of a vineyard, and you’ll take home a souvenir Greyfriars glass (£22pp). Or simply book a table at the tasting room to enjoy Greyfriars’ collection by the glass, indoors or outdoors. Visit greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk

Where? Greyfriars Vineyard, The Hogs Back, Puttenham, Surrey, GU3 1AG

 

Denbies, Dorking
This large estate has a farm shop, four eateries, a vineyard hotel and brewery (tours available) in addition to the vines. It produces a wide range of still and sparkling wines.

What’s on offer? Mix and match from variety of experiences at Denbies, including an indoor tour, comprising a screening of a film on a year in the life of the vineyard followed by a tasting (£15.50pp), an outdoors tour onboard Denbies ‘train’, with pre-recorded commentary (£9.95pp), and a secret vineyard tasting trail that takes you to areas of the vineyard not usually open to the public. Visit denbies.co.uk

Where? Denbies Wine Estate Ltd, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA

 

Vineyards in Devon

Sandridge Barton, Totnes
Set on the banks of the River Dart, the Sandridge Barton estate is close to Sharpham Cheese meaning you can make a visit that will include wine and cheese in one day. Score! The dairy produces a variety of pasteurised and unpasteurised cheeses, using its own Jersey cow milk, and guests can see parts of the dairy through windows during their visit. Sandridge’s wines include red, white, rosé and sparkling.

What’s on offer? A two-hour guided walk through the vineyard, tasting five wines along the way (Saturday-Sunday, £22pp), or take a self-guided DIY tasting, where you’ll choose four wines to try at your leisure (£12). Visit Sandridge Barton

Where? Sandridge Barton Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7UT

 

Old Walls Vineyard, Bishopsteighton
Guests can stay in a holiday lodge among the vines at this vineyard-meets-B&B south of Exeter, which also has its own bistro. It produces still and sparkling wines.

What’s on offer? Summer tours include a tea or coffee welcome, walk through the vines, talk in the winery and tasting of still wines, followed by a ploughman’s lunch and glass of wine (£48pp). Visit oldwallsvineyard.co.uk

Where? Old Walls Vineyard, Old Walls Road, Bishopsteignton, TQ14 9PQ

 

Vineyards in Yorkshire

Ryedale Vineyards, near Malton
This family business planted its first vineyard in 2006 and another 2008 at the foot of the North Yorkshire Wolds and produces still and sparkling wines. It has two apple orchards, home to heritage varieties, that produce cider and juice.

What’s on offer? A “informal and informative” tour includes a talk with one of the winemakers, walk through the vines and wine tasting with local cheese (£15pp). Grab another drink from the bar afterwards and soak up the vineyard atmosphere. Visit ryedalevineyards.co.uk

Where? Farfield Farm, Westow, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7LS

 

Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery, near York
Owners Chris and Gillian Spakouskas planted their first vines in their garden twenty year ago and today look after 22,000, including 17 grape varieties, at their vineyard between York and Harrogate. There’s also a microbrewery, overseen by son Tim, which produces pilsner, ales and stouts using water from the site’s very own bore hole – plus a cider apple orchard.

What’s on offer? Learn about the vineyard’s ‘grape to glass’ ethos with a tour and tasting hosted by the owners (£25pp), with the option to add a light lunch (+£7.50pp) or afternoon tea (+£10pp) – including a proper cup of Yorkshire tea! Or enjoy an afternoon tea picnic in the vineyard, including a bottle of wine or three beers (from £40 for two). Visityorkshireheart.com

Where? Yorkshire Heart Vineyard & Brewery, Pool Lane, Nun Monkton, York, YO26 8EL

 

Also in Yorkshire…
Dunesforde Vineyard, Upper Dunsforth, York
Little Wold Vineyard, near Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire
The Walled Garden Vineyard at Carlton Towers, Carlton, York
Sheveling Wine Estate at Holmfirth Vineyard, near Huddersfield

 

Vineyards in Derbyshire

Renishaw Hall & Gardens Vineyard, Eckington, near Sheffield
This private country estate’s gardens are a popular attraction, with a museum and café, but it also has a vineyard – which was the most northerly in the world until 1986.

What’s on offer? Tours are led by the vineyard’s winemaker and include a wine tasting (selected Sundays, £20). Visit renishaw-hall.co.uk/vineyard

Where? Renishaw Hall, Renishaw, near Sheffield, S21 3WB

 

Vineyards in Wales

Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, near Cardiff
This hotel, cookery school and restaurant on a vineyard grows the grapes for the white, rosé and sparkling wine it serves, sold under the label Cariad – a term of endearment in Welsh.

What’s on offer? Learn what it takes to care for grape vines, how the local environment influences wine’s taste and sample three Cariad wines with expert instruction (Monday-Tuesday & Friday-Sunday, £15pp). Visit llanerch.co.uk

Where? Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8GG

 

Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard, Conwy
Owners Charlotte and Colin Bennett began their wine venture with 300 vines in 2012 and have now expanded to 3,000 over three acres, including pinot noir and chardonnay grapes – wines made from these will be released in 2021. They currently produce five wine varieties.

What’s on offer? Tours include an outdoor talk on a year in the vineyard by the vineyard manager, followed by tasting of four still wines and introduction to the wine-making process – plus a grazing board to snack on, featuring Welsh produce (Tuesday-Saturday, £35pp).

Where? Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard, Y Gwinwydd, Llangwstenin, Conwy, LL31 9JF

White Castle VineyardAt White Castle Vineyard, wine lovers can take a relaxed and friendly tour around the vineyard and accompanying barns. This beautifully restored 16th century grade 2* listed barn is available to be hired for events or weddings, with breath-taking views of this award-winning vineyard. Visitors can even adopt a vine of their own.

What’s on offer? The vineyard is open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 10-5pm for wine tasting, and wine purchases, with guided Tours at 11.30 and 3.00pm. As well as their Decanter gold medal winning Pinot Noir Reserve 2018, some of White Castle vineyard’s sell-out wines include a white wine, Gwin Gwyn 2020, 1581 Fortified wine and their “Harry” Rondo red that is hand harvested, fermented in stainless steel vats and aged in French Oak barrels. Artisan charcuterie, fish platters and meat platters are also available to buy online and enjoy during your visit.

Where? The Croft Farm, Llanvetherine, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 8RA

 

Also in Wales…
Pant Du, Caernarfon, Gwynedd
CWM Deri Vineyard, Narberth, Pembrokeshire
Jabajak Vineyard, Whitland, Camarthenshire

 

Vineyards in Dorset

Langham Wine Estate, near Dorchester
Crawthorne Vineyard occupies 30 acres of Langham’s 1,000-hectare agricultural estate and is planted with classic champagne grape varieties, which are transformed into Dorset sparkling in the winery just metres away. There’s a tasting room, shop and café on site.

What’s on offer? Learn about the different stages of producing sparkling wine on a walk through the vineyard and winery and taste three Langham wines (Wednesday-Sunday, £25pp); add a picnic lunch and glass of fizz for £20. Self-guided tours and tastings also available (£15pp). The estate also runs events throughout the summer, including charcuterie, cheese and chocolate nights with live music. Visit langhamwine.co.uk

Where? Langham Wine Estate, Crawthorne, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7NG

 

Vineyards in Worcestershire

Astley Vineyard, near Kidderminster
Established in the Severn Valley in the seventies, today this five-acre vineyard specialises in white wine, producing some sparkling, orange and late harvest wines too. From 2021, the vineyard has committed to following organic principles.

What’s on offer? Book a tour and you can expect a welcome drink and introduction to Astley’s history, a walk and talk on viticulture and grape varieties, explainer on basic winemaking in the winery and sit-down guided tasting of three wines with tasters of local produce (£35pp). Visit astleyvineyard.co.uk

Where? Astley Vineyard, Crundles Lane, Astley, Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 0RU

 

Vineyards in Gloucestershire

Three Choirs Vineyards, Newent
Beginning life as a fruit farm before the first vines were planted in the seventies, Three Choirs Vineyards now numbers 75 acres. You can stay the night too: its vineyard view rooms let guests bask in the estate’s beauty, with a handful of luxury lodges in the heart of the vineyard.

What’s on offer? Grasp the growing process from grape to bottle as you move from vines to winery, before trying four wine samples (Saturdays & Sunday, £45pp). The vineyard brasserie serves tapas-inspired food designed to complement its wines. Visit three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk

Where? Three Choirs, Baldwins Farm, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1LS

 

Vineyards in Cornwall

Camel Valley, Bodmin
Bob and Annie Lindo initially reared sheep and cattle on their Cornish farm before planting 8,000 vines in 1989. The sparkling wines they’re known for have won a slew of awards over the years and son Sam has since taken the reins as winemaker from dad Bob.

What’s on offer? A tour of the vines and winery finishes with a wine flight of the vineyard’s four flagship wines (Monday-Friday, from £5-£18). Or simply book to experience a glass of wine on the terrace and take in the view (Monday-Friday, £5 booking fee redeemable against wine purchased). Visit camelvalley.com

Where? Camel Valley Ltd, Nanstallon, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5LG

 

Trevibban Mill Vineyard & Orchards, near Padstow
You’ll find sheep grazing the vineyards and orchards at Trevibban Mill, which Engin and Liz Mumcuoglu established in 2008, planting vines and over 1,000 apple and other fruit trees. The majority of the land is organic certified and produces an exciting variety of wines, including pink and pét-nat sparkling wines, alongside cider and apple liqueurs.

What’s on offer? Guided tours are usually led by an owner or family member, followed by a tutored wine tasting (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, £20pp). Grand tours, held on Sundays, include a sharing board lunch with seven wines to try (£65pp). Relax with a glass of wine or cider and enjoy the views from the vineyard balcony, sunspot among the vines or tasting room anytime Wednesday-Sunday. Visit trevibbanmill.com

Where? Trevibban Mill Vineyard & Orchards, Dark Lane, near Padstow, PL27 7SE

 

Also in Cornwall…
Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard, Penzance
Knightor Winery, near St Austell

 

Vineyards in the Isles of Scilly

St Martins Vineyard & Winery, St Martins
Holly Robbins and James Faulconbridge took over this vineyard from Val and Graham Thomas in 2020, who planted their first vines on land Val’s father had once worked. James is an ecologist, and the pair are passionate about sustainable agriculture and the environment, with plans to make production fully organic.

What’s on offer? Visit to enjoy a flight of St Martins’ wines outdoors (with tasting notes to guide you) or follow the signposted vine trail with a guidebook and learn about viticulture on a self-led tour (each activity £6pp; £10pp together). Open days are announced for the week ahead each Saturday, based on the weather forecast. Visit stmartinsvineyard.co.uk

Where? St Martin’s Vineyard and Winery, Higher Town, St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, TR25 0QL

 

Also in the Isles of Scilly…
Holy Vale Wines, St Mary’s