12 of the Best Vineyards to Enjoy Wine Tasting in The UK
Acres of fruitful green vines cover some of the prettiest countryside in the UK. Vineyards and their wines are thriving in the UK and are winning local, national and world-class awards. Visit one of the vineyards below for a spot of wine tasting, a guided tour and to experience the joys of British winemaking for yourself.
1. Ryedale Vineyards, North Yorkshire
At the foot of the North Yorkshire Wolds, Ryedale Vineyards is the most northerly commercial vineyard in Britain. The annual award winners pride themselves on harvesting and pruning by hand as well as minimising the impact on the surrounding countryside with a low spray approach. From Easter until the end of October, you can tour the vineyard, explore the winery and sample some of the wines on a guided tour.
From: £18
Nearest campsite: Sheriff Hutton Club Site is a 21-minute drive away*
2. Chapel Down Vineyard, Kent
Chapel Down, in the beautiful Kent countryside, is one of the best-known vineyards in England. They’re official suppliers to No 10 Downing Street, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Races and are served at institutions including The Royal Opera House and The Barbican.
Despite this fantastic customer base, Chapel Down remains open to the public throughout the year. The 22-acre vineyard and accompanying winery is home to a shop stocking local produce and a highly rated restaurant. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and the vineyard walks. Tours and tastings can be booked online or over the phone and include up to 7 samples of their award-winning still and sparkling wines.
From: £30
Nearest campsite: Canterbury Club Site
3. Balfour Winery, Kent
Beautiful gardens, apple orchards and woodland surround the Tudor-framed manor house at Balfour Winery. The Estate, priding themselves on their hand-picked vineyards and award-winning wines, welcomes visitors. Stroll through the orchards and explore the wonderful vineyard before joining an expert-led tour and tasting session in the winery. We recommend picking up a map from the Cellar Door to explore the estate on a self-led walking tour or booking onto one of the expert-led packages.
From: Free (Self-guided tour) or from £12.50pp for a Cellar Door Self-Tutored Tasting
Nearest campsite: Crowborough Club Site is a 38-minute drive away*
4. Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey
Denbies, a working winery is open to the public and overlooks the stunning North Downs. There are different tour options available at Denbies. Take the outdoor tour, on a miniature train, offering views of the North Downs or, stick to the indoor option of viewing the winery and participating in a wine tasting. The Galley Restaurant overlooks the 265-acre vineyard, using local produce where possible and open for lunch daily.
From: £10.95pp
Nearest campsite: Horsley Club Site is a 21-minute drive away*
5. Oxney Organic Estate, East Sussex
Open to visitors from April until October, Oxney Organic Estate is a modern organic farm with 35 acres of vines. The 90-minute guided tour and tasting takes you through the journey of grape to wine and explains some of the organic practices in place on the estate. You’ll see the vineyard, get to explore the working winery and be given the chance to try a selection of still and sparkling wines.
From: £25
Nearest campsite: Normans Bay Club Site is a 46-minute drive away*
6. Hambledon Vineyard, Hampshire
100,000 vines are hand managed and picked at Hambledon Vineyard, a state-of-the-art winery on the edge of the South Downs. The vineyard is open to the public, offering tours of the 200-acre plot. Book onto one the tours to hear from the experts about the winemaking process and the practices in place at Hambledon. The classic Cuvée Rosé Package offers a full vineyard tour, a tasting of the award-winning rosé and an afternoon tea for two.
From: £25
Nearest campsite: Chichester Club Site is a 27-minute drive away*.
7. Langham Wine Estate, Dorset
Langham Wine Estate, in the heart of Dorset, specialises in producing world-class sparkling wines using traditional methods. Take either a self-guided or expert-led tour followed by a tasting of a selection of award-winning wines. On the self-guided tour, you can read the information points in the vineyard for an insight into the grape growing and wine production process. On the staff-led option, you’ll learn about each step of the production process from experts on a 2-hour tour.
From: £25
Nearest campsite: Moreton Club Site is a 15-minute drive away*.
8. Sandridge Barton, home to Sharpham Wine, Devon
Visit the Sandridge Barton to explore the vineyard and surrounding grounds on one of the many tour options. For a small fee, you can embark on a self-guided walk of the vineyard and back along the beautiful River Dart. The mini wine tasting offers four samples with easy to read notes on each and includes access to the vineyard. Alternatively, the guided tasting is an informal sample of four wines, two cheeses and entry to the vineyard. Open until the end of September.
From: £12
Nearest campsite: Dartmouth Club Site is a 32-drive away*.
9. Three Choirs Vineyards, Gloucestershire
Nestled deep in the Cotswolds, over 75 acres of south-facing slopes, you’ll find Three Choirs Vineyards. The detailed guided tour here must be pre-booked and includes an expert-led walk through the vineyard, winery and then onto a tasting of 4 wines. Alternatively, head to the Cellar Door where you can taste five wines for a small fee and then walk at your leisure through the vineyard.
From: £45pp
Nearest campsite: Hereford Club Site is a 17-minute drive away*.
10. Camel Valley Cornwall
© Camel Valley Wines 2020
Situated in a beautiful part of Cornwall, Camel Valley is privy to fantastic views of their vine-covered slopes and beyond. The Terrace is a stunning place to enjoy a glass of wine on a summers afternoon while enjoying the view. Between April and October, you can join a guided tour and tasting, led by one of the expert winemakers.
From: £5
Nearest campsite: Tregurrian Club Site is a 30-minute drive away*.
11. Giffords Hall Vineyard, Suffolk
In the heart of the Upper Stour valley, Giffords Hall Vineyard is in one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages. Grand Tours of the vineyard and tastings are run on one day each month throughout the summer.
From: £28 depending on group size
Nearest campsite: Cambridge Club Site is a 1-hour drive away*.
12. Welcombe Hill Vineyard, Warwickshire
From: £20
Nearest campsite: Winchcombe Club Site is a 37-minute drive away*.