11 UK Vineyards Where You Can Stay Overnight
Tillingham, East Sussex
A farm dating back to the 13th century, Tillingham is surrounded by 70 acres of rolling hills and woodlands with far-reaching views towards Rye and the Romney salt marshes beyond. Ben Walgate’s biodynamic winery is relatively new – the vines he planted gave their first crop in 2020 to produce a variety of wines, including a pinot blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay, as well as a sparkling. Wine tours and tastings run daily and are available by appointment. The lovely accommodation consists of 11 pared-back but stylish rooms in what used to be a hop barn. The wine bar, with its wood-fired pizza oven, is open for lunch, and bar snacks are always available with a glass of wine. For dinner, the chef’s à la carte menu showcases simply cooked ingredients, grown on the farm or sourced from local producers.
Peasmarsh, East Sussex, TN31 6XD
Visit Tillingham.com
Rathfinny Wine Estate, East Sussex
Family owned Rathfinny was established in 2010 and produces one of England’s top sparkling wines. Close to picture-postcard Alfriston in the South Downs, the vineyards occupy a south-facing slope, just three miles from the sea, where the climate, chalk soil and aspect come together to produce award-winning sparklers. Book a tour of the estate to learn how a typical year of growing vines and wine production progresses, as well as taste the wines. Enjoy fine dining in the chic Tasting Room restaurant or opt for something a little cosier and more relaxed in the Flint Barns dining room. On the the western side of the estate, barns have been beautifully restored with contemporary furnishings and house ten lovely en-suite bedrooms.
Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5TU
Visit RathfinnyEstate.com
Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey
One of the UK’s largest producers, the Denbies estate was founded by Sir Adrian White in 1984. Today, it is still run by the White family and has been developed to include a hotel, two restaurants and gift shop. You can book tours of the winery and vineyard, as well as themed dinners with wine tastings. The original farmhouse B&B, built in the 1850s, has recently been transformed and an adjacent wing added to create a chic hotel with 17 contemporary en-suite rooms and a restaurant.
Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA
Visit Denbies.co.uk
Llanerch Vineyard, Glamorgan
Close to Cardiff, but in the deep countryside, Llanerch is the oldest vineyard in Wales. Renowned for its Cariad wine (unique to the area), it does tours and tastings throughout the year. Follow yours with lunch, afternoon tea or dinner in the restaurant, which serves seasonal dishes made from the best local ingredients. The 26 stylish rooms and suites are divided between a new building – from which you’ll get uninterrupted views of the vines and surrounding fields and hills – and the original farmhouse from where the rooms look out over the Italian-themed courtyard. A couple of the rooms are dog friendly.
Pontyclun, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8GG
Visit Llanerch.co.uk
Three Choirs, Gloucestershire
Deep in the Cotswolds, this is one of the oldest vineyards in the UK. The first vines were planted in 1973 on half an acre of land to see how they would grow. Today, they stretch across 75 acres. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided walking route or book in for a guided tour and tasting of five still and sparkling wines. For lunch or dinner, the Brasserie serves tapas-inspired dishes to complement the wines. You can spend the night in one of the lodges tucked away further down in the valley – they have floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides with views overlooking tranquil, willow tree-fringed ponds surrounded by vines. Or there are cosy bedrooms next to the restaurant – these have south-facing patios and wonderful views too.
Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1LS
Oxney Organic Estate, East Sussex
Close to Rye, Oxney’s 35 acres of vines produce around 20% of all organic grapes grown in the UK. They are used to make still and sparkling wines in a converted Grade II-listed square oast house. Tours are held on Saturdays from May to September and you’re guaranteed to get an enlightening intro to the English organic wine revolution – a member of the team will take you round the vineyard and the winery, talking you through the perils of growing grapes in a cooler climate and the organic methods they use to overcome them. At the end, you’ll sample four wines. If you want to stay on, you’ve got options: a spacious converted barn, the historic Vineyard House or a cosy shepherd’s hut.
Beckley, East Sussex, TN31 6TU
Visit OxneyEstate.com
Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery, Oxfordshire
This is one of the most charming vineyards in the UK. Just over an hour from London, near Henley-on-Thames, the vineyard sits on the Chiltern Hills, surrounded by a vast woodland and Hambleden Valley, where the climate is ideal for growing grapes. Head here for a two-hour behind-the-scenes tour on which you can try wines, ales and liqueurs. For an overnight stay, you can choose from rooms at the B&B with views of the vineyard, orchard, gardens or the 17th-century barn.
Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6JW
Visit ChilternValley.co.uk
Tinwood Estate, West Sussex
Tinwood is near Chichester, in the heart of West Sussex at the foot of the South Downs National Park. Since first planting in 2007, it has established a reputation for producing some excellent sparkling wines, both white and rosé. On a tour, you’ll visit the vineyard and enjoy a tasting that includes three glasses. You can then stick around to order another glass, or bottle, as well as cheese and nibbles. Stay in one of three luxe wooden lodges that take advantage of the lovely views over the vines towards the setting sun. There’s no restaurant here, but there are a few very good pubs close by.
Halnaker, West Sussex, PO18 0NE
Visit TinwoodEstate.com
Ryedale Vineyards, North Yorkshire
Ryedale is one of the most northerly commercial vineyards in the UK. A family run business at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, it’s a few miles from the town of Malton and close to York and Castle Howard. In addition to red, white, rosé and sparkling wines, Ryedale produces cider from the estate’s orchards. Tours and tastings in groups of around 20 are available from April to October – one of the two wine makers will guide you around the vines. There are two cosy en-suite rooms in the farmhouse and you’ll be treated to a full Yorkshire breakfast in the morning. There are two good pubs nearby and, as Malton is the ‘food capital’ of North Yorkshire, lots of good places to eat.
Westow, North Yorkshire, YO60 7LS
Visit RyedaleVineyards.co.uk
Castlewood Vineyard, Devon
On the Devon-Dorset border in the village of Musbury, the Corbett family have transformed a south-facing hillside on their farm into a thriving vineyard that produces an excellent sparkling wine. By appointment, you can book a private tour and tasting for groups of six or more with the owner – he’ll walk you through the vineyards and tell you all about growing grapes in east Devon, while enjoying breathtaking views across the Axe Valley to the sea in the distance. There are two traditional Grade II-listed stone cottages that date from the 18th century that sleep six. Set in spacious gardens, both are packed with character and retain many original features like inglenook fireplaces, beamed ceilings and window seats.
Musbery, Devon, EX13 8SS
Visit CastlewoodVineyard.co.uk
Jabajak, Carmarthenshire
Once a droving farm, Jabajak’s seven acres of grounds are in a quiet spot on the edge of west Wales’s Bluestone mountains. They produced their first harvest in 2014 and there are now daily tastings of the white and sparkling rosé, along with self-guided tours of the vineyard. Converted from the drovers’ old stone buildings, the restaurant serves dishes using ingredients from the estate’s kitchen garden and local producers. Book the Nook and enjoy a private table for two on a balcony in the eaves. There are eight en-suite rooms, all different in style – we love the Grainstore Suite, a truly romantic hideaway in the eaves.
Whitland, Carmarthenshire, SA34 0ED
Visit Jabajak.co.uk
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