Best UK vineyard stays

Best English vineyard stays in the UK

Tinwood Estate, Chichester

Once home to a sprawling estate of iceberg lettuces, Tinwood is now known for some of the best award-winning sparkling wines that Sussex has to offer. Switching out lettuce for vines came in 2007 when owners Jody and Art Tukker took the helm of the family business and noticed the terroir of the farm was akin to parts of Champagne and Burgundy in France. Part of the charm of Tinwood is how visible Jody and Art still are in the day to day running of the estate. It’s not unusual for Jody to personally lead you through a vineyard and wine tasting tour (from £21) with family dogs, Bubbles and Fizz, zipping through the vines to say hello.

What to drink: Perfectly situated just three miles from the sea, the flint and chalky grounds have led to careful cultivation of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, bottled up into a range of refreshingly crisp sparkling wines.

Where to stay: If you are keen to make a weekend of it in the South Downs, Tinwood invites guests to stay on the estate in one of its eight lodges, all of which are unique in design and offer supreme comfort and panoramic views across the vineyard. Bikes are available for guests to use at their disposal to explore the grounds or further afield into the beautiful countryside. After a day of walking or wine tasting, relax in the wine barrel sauna or sink into a hot tub in your room. Breakfast hampers are delivered to your doorstep each morning so you can enjoy a tasty continental breakfast without having to leave the lodge.

Check rates and availability at booking.com or tinwoodestate.com

Stars & Vines, Herefordshire

Perched high on a south-facing hillside overlooking the River Lugg, this vineyard is ideally located for producing small-batch white wines and rosé. It forms part of the Broadfield Court Estate, encompassing a busy working farm as well as holiday cabins situated at the top of the vineyard with sweeping, uninterrupted views of rolling green Herefordshire countryside. A stay here wouldn’t be complete without a guided wine-tasting (£95) with Alexandra James, who co-owns the estate with her husband Mark. Her effervescent delivery matches the sparkling wine they produce using the traditional riddling method (rotating the bottle in stages at a tipped angle), which results in a standout product.

What to drink: Broadfield Sparkling gives the best English sparkling wines a run for their money – and classic champagne, too – with a crisp, round almost biscuity quality that would go down easy at any celebration.

The dry Reichensteiner is light and pleasantly spiky on the palate, best enjoyed with chicken or fish, while the Madeleine Angevine and Broadfield Special Reserve (blending two grape varieties) are rounder and fruitier, both made for easy drinking. If you book a hosted tasting, you can take away the opened bottles, otherwise the whites are reasonably priced at £10 each while the rosé is a relatively new addition, with bright zippy notes, at £25.

Where to stay: Stars & Vines is located in the vineyard, comprising two beautifully appointed cabins (including outdoor hot tub). See our cabins guide for the full review. Check rates and availability at Stars & Vines.

Balfour Winery, Kent

Known for its world-class sparkling wines, Kent’s Balfour Winery is home to lush English vineyards, acres of ancient apple orchards and oak woodlands – perfect for nature and wine lovers alike. Located on the Hush Heath Estate, take a self-guided stroll or book for a full estate tour and tasting experience from £50-£70, where an expert will show you around the vineyards, learning about the secrets and history of Balfour as you stroll. This is followed by a tutored tasting of six crisp sparkling and still Balfour wines. The winery’s contemporary building, The View, offers sweeping views across the Kentish countryside, perfect for unwinding with a glass post-tasting. After, visit the winery shop where you’ll find plenty of sparkling and still wines, luxury hampers and gifts.

Open all year round, Balfour Winery hosts social events throughout the year, such as its dining club music sessions, jazz evenings and yoga classes followed by food and wine tasting.

What to eat: You may want to add a sharing platter to your tour booking to enjoy alongside the wines – think local Kentish charcuterie, seafood and cheese served with olives, quince jam, flatbread and crackers. If you’re visiting during the winter months, opt for the warm winter platter of local cheeses, baked camembert, house-made chutney and warm bread. A short drive away and you’ll find Balfour-owned The Tickled Trout, serving its signature fish dishes and hearty pub classics which reflect the best of Kentish produce.

What to drink: A visit to Balfour is not complete without a taste of its flagship Balfour Brut Rosé 2018 – we’d also make a beeline for the Springfield Chardonnay 2018.

Where to stay: The Tickled Trout is part of a collection of Kentish pubs and hotels selling wines from Balfour and Jake’s Beers and Ciders. Boutique rooms are simple, cosy and inviting, with exposed beams, shabby chic décor, modern bathroom fittings and sink-into beds. They also come kitted out with a large flat screen TV, Dualit coffee pod machine and a selection of tea from Joe’s Tea. Check rates and availability at booking.com

Wraxall Vineyard, Somerset

Tucked into the south-facing Mendip Hills is Wraxall, a 15-acre boutique vineyard with a 50-year history, elevated by contemporary architectural additions. Owners Lexa and David took on Wraxall in 2021 with a pragmatic commitment to their new role as custodians of the 5,000 vines, some of which are over 30 years old.

What to eat: Venture up to The View@Wraxall wine bar and shop with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and huge terrace for taking in the expansive view. Wines are paired with seasonal dishes comprised of produce from Somerset and its bordering counties: Westcombe charcuterie, Mere trout, White Lake cheese and more.

What to drink: The vineyard has five grape varieties planted to create their four keystone wines: Somerset Sparkling, Early Pinot Noir Rose, Bacchus and, their premium, Bacchus Reserve.

Where to stay: Dating back to the 1870s, the old winery and hayloft have been tastefully converted into three rustically luxurious cottages with secluded terraces overlooking the vines. Historical meets luxurious modernity here with charred wood extensions melding into the countryside, and statement windows offering immense views. Each is furnished with carefully chosen pieces like steam-bent wooden lampshades and pre-loved antiques. Locality is celebrated everywhere, from toiletries by Bruton-based Commune in the bathrooms to the fresh pastries, berries, yogurt and more in the fridge as part of the optional breakfast hampers.

Check rates and availability at wraxallvineyard.co.uk

Nutbourne Vineyards, West Sussex

Set in the West Sussex countryside, Nutbourne Vineyards has been in the Gladwin family since 1991. The family also owns a selection of restaurants in London where you'll find wines from the vineyard. Sustainability is at the core of the operation, from following biodiverse practices in the vineyard (hence wildflower meadows in amongst the vines) to efforts to reduce the carbon footprint in distribution and production.

The vineyard trail is open all year round. Pick up an illustrated map and go on a self-guided tour around the different fields to discover the different grapes grown in each area and enjoy the views across the South Downs. The Cellar Door is open to pick up a bottle at the end of your visit. Guided tours and tastings are available on Saturdays from May to September.

What to eat: Nutbourne offers a range of dining experiences at the vineyard throughout the year. You can prebook a picnic or generous charcuterie platter to enjoy with wine after touring the vineyard, or time your visit for a 'burger and bubbly' evening or Friday sundowners in the Nutty Bar throughout summer. Keep an eye out for special supper club events too.

What to drink: The 'Nutty Blush' rosé made from Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir is a light pale pink hue, with floral notes and gentle berry acidity – ideal for summer sipping. Red wine fans will enjoy the Pinot Noir, with a portion of the wine aged in French oak to add depth. Bottles are all illustrated with Bridget Gladwin's paintings.

Where to stay: Nearby Cattlestone Farm has a range of camping and glamping accommodation options to choose from. Pitch a tent in the open field or book a yurt and use the outdoor kitchen, complete with a pizza oven. You might even get to spot the goats, named Gin and Tonic. If you can, book the luxury Sunrise shepherd's hut. It's impressively spacious and cosy inside, with a comfy king-size bed. Wake up and open the double doors on to your wrap-around deck, with an outdoor roll-top bath and chairs to enjoy the views over peaceful rolling fields. The full-size en-suite shower room and fully equipped kitchen mean there’s everything you need for a quiet, relaxing break.

Check rates and availability at cattlestone.uk

Tillingham, East Sussex

A few miles from the medieval port town of Rye in East Sussex, Tillingham is hidden away in 70 acres of hills, vineyards and woodlands, scattered with wandering pigs, cattle, sheep and chickens. It’s a serene, bucolic setting for the cutting-edge winery, hotel and dining destination. A renovated Victorian farmstead and neighbouring hop barn contain 11 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, tasting room and shop, all replete with hip, upcycled furniture and fittings and dreamy views of the surrounding Sussex countryside.

Tillingham offers daily tours and wine tastings (by appointment only), running to around 90 minutes, at £35pp. Start in the tasting room and move through the rest of the estate, from the modern winery, to the ancient oast house hosting Tillingham’s collection of qvevri (earthenware vessels buried in the ground and used to make orange wine) through to the idyllic rolling vineyards. Our tour guide took a deep-dive into Tillingham’s biodynamic, low-intervention approach to wine-making – wine nerds and aficionados will love the level of detail. You’re also given four generous pours of different wines.

What to eat: Come for lunch, dinner or both. Set over two floors, downstairs is a casual wine bar with a small plates menu and an impressive wine and cocktail list (make a beeline for the silky fig leaf martini). Upstairs houses a more formal Michelin green-starred restaurant, where head chef Brendan Eades (formerly of Silo and the Conduit Club) has created the menu that showcases Tillingham’s homegrown produce – think veg from its walled garden, meat raised in its pastures and fish caught in nearby Rye. If you’re staying over, breakfast also takes place in the restaurant and features a set menu of sourdough with whey butter and homemade jam, granola and yogurt, local charcuterie and cheese.

What to drink: Natural wine fans will love what’s on offer here. Try the delicate Col 21 with its grassy, citrussy tones, or P21 – highly gluggable, vibrant pink fizz with rhubarb and raspberry notes.

Where to stay: The estate’s old hop barn has been converted into 11 bedrooms, all equipped with midcentury furnishings and earthy jewel colours, heavenly scented diffusers, modern art, Roberts Radios, Haeckels toiletries and welcome snacks of fudge and sherry in crystal glasses. We stayed in the expansive feature double room, which comes with a freestanding tub and huge window with sweeping views of the vines and countryside.

Check rates and availability at tillingham.com

Wiston Estate, West Sussex

Set on a 6,000-acre estate in the South Downs, surrounded by rolling hills, Wiston Estate has been owned by the Goring family since 1743. When Pip, Harry Goring’s wife, saw the incredible space and chalk soil, she knew it would be perfect for a vineyard. They now have a fabulous restaurant on site, Chalk, and a secluded cottage available to rent if you want to make a weekend of it. The sparkling and still wines are award winning and, to get the best flavour, grapes are hand-picked, gently pressed and it’s organic at soil level – radishes and turnips are planted to nourish the soil naturally. Wine tours are £30, take place Wednesday to Sunday and include a generous tasting of four of the fabulous wines.

What to eat: Chalk showcases local, seasonal produce, with much of it grown a stone’s throw away on the estate. Highlights include a starter of creamy stracciatella perfectly paired with fresh yellow courgette, basil oil and aubergine purée; and for main, melt-in-the-mouth plaice with a smoked butter sauce, crunchy apple and baby potatoes. To finish, order the warm almond tart topped with roasted white peaches served with a zingy lemon verbena ice cream.

What to drink: Go sparkling with Wiston’s Brut NV, it’s fresh and lemony with notes of ripe orchard fruits, or, for a still wine, try the Blanc de Blanc NV, a lovely crisp, light, biscuity wine.

Where to stay: On the estate, you’ll find a charming 20th-century cottage, The Pump House, formerly a water pumping station for the estate. It’s an idyllic setting, with sheep grazing right outside and views up to Chanctonbury Ring. Inside, it’s light and bright, with period features and luxurious interiors. It also has a secluded terrace – if the weather is nice, sit out and enjoy the bottle of Wiston Brut NV you’ll find chilling in the fridge on arrival.

Sleeps four, from £195 per night, check availability at wistonestate.com

Bolney Wine Estate, West Sussex

Nestled in lushly green surrounds on the edge of the South Downs, the Bolney Estate is a long-time fixture on the English wine scene – founders Janet and Rodney Pratt first bought the land in 1972 for wine-making – raking in numerous plaudits over the past five decades. It makes both still and sparkling wines from five vineyards on the site, and there's also a sleek visitor centre complete with café and shop. Bolney offers a range of vineyard tours and tastings of varying length, starting from £20 for a Cellar Door Tasting.

We tried the Sussex cheese and wine tasting, which included a tour of the winery and surrounding vineyard, and an accessible yet in-depth guided tasting of Bolney wines paired with delicious Sussex-made cheeses and charcuterie, all of which you can find in the shop (make a beeline for the superb Brighton Blue). See tour tickets at Virgin Experience Days (£133.50 for tour, tasting and lunch for 2).

What to eat: The light and spacious Eighteen Acre Restaurant (if it’s sunny and warm, nab a table on the large balcony for gorgeous panoramic vineyard views) serves up classic mains and generous sharing boards that make the most of Sussex produce, much of it made just a few miles away – think tender local braised pork belly with Hispi cabbage and Bolney Lychgate red wine jus, or umami wild mushroom ragu with cured egg yolk. Charcuterie boards, sandwiches and cakes are served in the Bolney Café.

What to drink: We loved the floral and elegant Bolney Bubbly as well as the passion fruit and elderflower-laced Lychgate Bacchus. English still red wines are something of a rarity but Bolney’s silky pinot noir, with delicate cherry notes, is an excellent example and well worth trying. Don’t just stop at wine, Bolney also makes its own gin and rosso vermouth.

Where to stay: Nearby in the picture-postcard village of Cuckfield, Ockenden Manor is a beautifully preserved Elizabethan manor house with rooms ranging from grand oak-panelled suites to spacious rooms with four-poster beds and roll-top baths. There’s also a plush fine-dining restaurant and an award-winning modern spa just moments away from the main building.

From £245 per night, check availability at booking.com

Kingscote, West Sussex

Kingscote has over 70 acres of vines and several different varieties of grape planted, all looked after organically sine 2019. Book a vineyard tour with seasonal lunch for £37, or with a cream tea for £31. The 90-minute tour is available Friday-Sundays and covers exploring the vineyard and the winery to understand the grape-to-glass process of production. Tours include tastings of white and sparkling wines. Look out for events such as bottomless brunches and summer barbecues.

What to eat: There’s a tiny coffee shop serving Kingscote’s own coffee in the on-site wine and artisan food store. For a full meal, visit nearby Michelin-starred Gravetye Manor where a set three-course lunch is £80.

What to drink: Try the Silvan Bacchus 2019: a creamy, lightly oaked white.

Where to stay: You can now stay on the estate itself, with The Coach House 2-bedroom cottage hidden in the heart of the vineyard. It's surrounded by countryside for a rural retreat.

Check rates and availability at From £108 per night including breakfast, check availability at booking.comkingscoteestate.com

Denbies, Surrey

Established in 1986, Denbies wine estate in Surrey offers indoor and outdoor winery tours. The former explores the working winery along with a cellar tasting, while the latter takes you on a 50-minute toy train tour of the vineyard, showing off panoramic views of the North Downs. If you want to give a tour as a gift, check tour vouchers at Red Letter Days (£115 for tour, tasting and lunch for 2)

What to eat: A gallery restaurant looks over the 265-acre vineyard. Order Sussex confit pork belly with savoy cabbage, pan-fried halibut with roasted romanesco, or, on a Sunday, the Surrey Farm roast beef with rosemary-roasted potatoes.

What to drink: A glass of the award-winning Cubitt Blanc de Noirs 2014, full-bodied and replete with notes of baked pear and rose petal.

Where to stay: The on-site Denbies Vineyard Hotel has 17 en-suite rooms with views across the estate and surrounding hills.

From £184 per night, check availability at booking.com

Rathfinny Estate, East Sussex

It may be young, but B-corp certified Rathfinny Estate in the South Downs is still one of Britain’s most beautiful wineries. Vines are separated by rows of wild flowers, there are glimpses of the Sussex heritage coast throughout, and visitors can stay overnight in a stylishly converted 1860s barn.

What to eat: Take your pick from small plates and fresh cakes at al fresco wine bar The Hut, or book ahead for a table at the Michelin-recommended Tasting Room Restaurant for a regularly changing lunch menu that is designed to pair with Rathfinny wines.

What to drink: Rathfinny's range of vintage Sussex sparkling wines includes a Classic Cuvée 2018, Blanc de Noirs 2016, Blanc de Blancs 2017 and Rosé Brut 2018.

Where to stay: The Flint Barns is the on-site restaurant with rooms. Rooms are simple but have luxurious bathroom fixtures, quality bedsteads and access to an elegant communal living room. You can also go self-catered at The Rathfinny Cottage, which sleeps four.

From £100 per night, check availability at booking.com.

Sandridge Barton, Devon

Sharpham Wine has been established for more than 40 years and is a serious producer of more than a dozen wines. It opened a brand-new visitor centre in summer 2022 at its new home, Sandridge Barton. Visitors to the site can enjoy guided tours (from £22, including tasting three wines and finishing with cheese sampling) as well as self-guided tasting flights presented in cute baskets (£15pp).

What to eat: From July 2025, new restaurant ROAM opens on site, promising seasonal menus and locally-sourced ingredients, including meat freom the Sandridge Barton estate and vegetables from their own kitchen garden.

What to drink: Sharpham Pinot Noir, crammed with wild strawberry, cherry and cranberry flavours.

Where to stay: The Boathouse is a tranquil holiday cottage within the Sandridge Barton estate, sleeping up to four people. With views over the River Dart, it makes a relaxing base to discover local wildlife and is within stumbling distance back from the vineyard.

Check availability for cottages at sykescottages.co.uk

Gusbourne, Kent

Just over an hour's drive from London, this Kent vineyard produces acclaimed sparkling and still wines and offers an array of high-end tours and tastings. A sparkling tasting flight is includes tastings of four wines for £30, or still wines for £40. For those that want to delve deeper into the world of wine, the estate tour includes vineyard visits before an extended tasting followed by three-course seasonal lunch with paired wines in the modern tasting room.

What to eat: Snack boards of nibbles or sharing platters of local Kentish charcuterie, cheeses and more are available on the pergola outside the tasting room.

What to drink: The 2021 Gusbourne Brut Reserve is full of orchard fruit flavours.

Where to stay: Just a 20-minute drive away, chic coastal bolthole The Gallivant in Camber Sands is a blissful seaside escape with a relaxed Hamptons beach-house vibe. The hotel also offers exclusive wine experiences in partnership with Gusbourne. Of these the most impressive is the Ultimate English Wine Experience, which includes transport, a private tour of the vineyards, tank and barrel samplings, and tutored tastings of rare library and limited-edition wines.

From £270 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com

Old Walls Vineyard, South Devon

Well positioned for the many attractions of the glorious South Devon coast, Old Walls Vineyard offers tours, tastings and, if you time your visit for September, there’s even a chance to pick the grapes for the next vintage.

What to eat: The Vineyard Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Expect hearty dishes like Devon sausages and mash, and shepherd's pie tartlet with butternut squash purée, come drizzled in jus made from the vineyard's own red wine.

What to drink: The best-selling wines are the Palace Red or White Priory Dry, although the Bishop’s Blush rosé is the way to go on a balmy summer’s evening.

Where to stay: Available for short stays or the whole week, there are six two-bedroom luxury lodges overlooking the vineyard, each with a veranda and private BBQ area.

From £192 per night, check availability at booking.com

Three Choirs, Gloucestershire

A lovely wine tasting break in the UK. Three Choirs near Newent is one of the longest established English vineyards. Most visitors book ahead for a guided tour with tastings and lunch, or you can do self-guided wine tastings with a vineyard walk and your choice of five wines.

What to eat: Take a seat at the brasserie among lots of local regulars to tuck into tapas-style dishes including lamb meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, patatas bravas and griddled halloumi with toasted pistachios, honey and yuzu oil.

What to drink: Blanc de Noirs 2016, a rich English sparkling wine.

Where to stay: The Vineyard View Rooms have pretty views over the vines, but the nicest accommodation is in the glass-walled, timber-framed Vineyard Lodges with verandas.

From £205 per night, check availability at Three Choirs Vineyards

Llanerch Vineyard, Wales

A farmhouse hotel, restaurant, cookery school and vineyard in South Wales. Guided tours and tastings show guests how Llanerch’s Cariad wines are made, and how the local terroir affects the taste of each vintage. The Wine Tasting Experience includes sampling three wines for £25pp, with some of the tasting taking place outdoors during summer. Cocktail classes or a luxury Wine Escape including a three course dinner or overnight stay are also available.

What to eat: Roots Restaurant on-site offers a taste of the Welsh countryside. Celebrating seasonal produce grown, caught or reared in the region, try dishes such as curry spiced mushroom fricassee, roasted Welsh lamb cannon and rib, and pan-roasted stone bass with shellfish bisque in the fine-dining restaurant overlooking the vineyards.

What to drink: Try the sweet Cariad sparkling brut.

Where to stay: Self-described as a vineyard hotel, Llanerch has a range of rooms to choose from. These vary in size, from superior doubles to suites.

Check rates and availability at booking.com

Chapel Down, Kent

One of the best-known English vineyards, Chapel Down expanded its site to a huge 325 acres of prime Kentish wine country. It’s open all year to visitors, and offers packages and gift experiences with tutored tastings (from £30pp). Look out for special events too, such as sunset yoga in the vines (with a wine tasting afterwards!), and orchestra or jazz concerts.

What to eat: The Swan Restaurant offers a set daily menu of three courses for £48. Expect the likes of stone bass crudo with yogurt and pickled fennel, Romney Marsh lamb rump and Kentish rhubarb parfait.

What to drink: Chapel Down's pinot noir rosé, full of red fruits.

From £50 per person, check availability at Virgin Experience Days, Red Letter Days

Oxney Estate, East Sussex

An organic vineyard with holiday cottages in East Sussex. The estate produces organic sparkling and still wines using pinot noir, pinot meunier and seyval blanc and chardonnay grape varieties. Winery and tasting tours take place every Saturday at 11am and 3pm. Wander through the vines, learn about the estate’s approach to winemaking and end with a tasting.

What to eat: Tuck into a post-tour picnic basket of local cheeses, charcuterie, bread and, of course, wine.

What to drink: Try the toasty Oxney Classic.

Where to stay: A farmhouse cottage sleeps 10, three barns sleep 14 between them, while cosy wooden shepherd’s huts complete with a double bed and fire-pit start from £100 per night.

Check availability at oxneyestate.com

Ryedale Vineyards, North Yorkshire

There’s no visitor centre, shop or café at one of England’s most northerly commercial vineyards, rather a tiny winery set in a listed cowshed. Here Stuart Smith conducts tastings, once his wife Elizabeth has guided guests around the entirely unmechanised site. Tours and tastings take place between April and October.

What to eat: Tours end with sampling wine and cider alongside local cheeses, plus you can add an optional pre-tour cream tea to your booking.

What to drink: One of Ryedale’s award-winners, such as a bottle of Yorkshire’s Lass, a delicate dry white.

Where to stay: In one of two cosily outfitted rooms in Ryedale's farmhouse, from £130 a night.

Check availability at ryedalevineyards.co.uk

Photo credits: Paul Winch-Furness, Ian Forsyth, Helen Dixon

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