British Vineyards - so much to discover

With over 300 vineyards now open to the public across Britain the range of experiences available is constantly growing. In fact, you can now combine many of your other passions with a vineyard visit. There is something very special about drinking wines from the vines that surround you and having now visited over 70 English & Welsh vineyards I’ve got lots of knowledge to share whether you’re just starting to discover what we have to offer in this country or a seasoned vineyard visitor looking for a one-of-a-kind experience. Read on!  

A magical story behind every bottle

Every tour & tasting is different and learning what makes each vineyard unique is part of the charm. In many of the smaller boutique vineyards you will often hear directly from the owner who may also be the winemaker. Formats vary too. At Silverhand Estate in Kent you visit the vines in a vintage Landrover and at Stanlake Park in Berkshire you sip your way around the estate. There’s now endless wine adventures to discover here on our doorstep.

Wake up in the vines

There is every type of accommodation available at vineyards across the country – from glamping and Shepherds Huts to luxury lodges and historic cottages. Keep an eye out for off-season deals as waking up in the vines is a treat at any time of year. Denbies Wine Estate Hotel in Surrey, Llanerch Vineyard Hotel in Vale of Glamorgan and Tinwood Estate Lodges in Sussex usually offer great value winter packages.

Sparkling afternoon tea

Combine the indulgence of an afternoon tea with local bubbly and you’re onto a winner. Some vineyards offer bookable afternoon tea all year round but on special occasions like Mother’s Day and Easter you’ll find a wide array of exceptional offerings across the country. My ultimate vineyard afternoon tea is Carlton Towers in Yorkshire – a stately home with a walled garden vineyard.   

Spontaneous wine flight over-looking the vines

Sometimes you want a last-minute plan and there’s plenty of vineyards where you can just turn up on a wine terrace or in a cosy-tasting room, depending on the season, and buy a wine flight to experience a range of different wines. At Woodchurch Wine Estate in Kent and Bluestone Vineyards in Wiltshire you can also combine your wine flight with a self-guided tour. 

Soak up the Festival vibe

The number of fabulous festivals, wine fayres and celebrations is growing every year with annual events in Kent (Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration & Canterbury Wine Festival), Surrey, Hampshire, Yorkshire – particularly around English Wine Week in June. You’ll get to sample wines from multiple vineyards all in one place with street food and live music creating a great atmosphere. There are also vineyards hosting their own festivals. Checkout the family-friendly summer and harvest festivals at Kinsbrook Vineyard in Sussex or the Mammoth Day Out at Saffron Grange in Essex.  

Namaste to wine & wellbeing

The natural beauty of a vineyard makes it the perfect backdrop for wellbeing events. Sunset yoga in the vines is becoming popular, as are events that combine yoga with food and wine tasting. Look out for Sip & Stretch sessions at Mereworth in Kent. Heron Farm Vineyard in Devon has a Wellness Hub on site and Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire runs wellbeing retreats.  

Channel your creativity

A vineyard setting could be just the inspiration you need to discover your creative side. Join a watercolour workshop at Rowton Vineyard in Shropshire or do bottle painting at Blabbers Hall Wine Estate in Warwickshire. At Westwell Wines in Kent you can take part in a wide range of workshops from screen printing to clay wine cooler making. There are also vineyards across the country offering opportunities to make spring bouquets or Christmas wreaths.  

Harvest experiences

Volunteering with the grape harvest is a great way to get up close and personal with vineyard life. Most small vineyards rely on helpers and will reward you with refreshments, a fabulous community spirit and often a bottle of wine to take home. If a day working in the vines isn’t for you then some vineyards offer paid-for experiences that combine tours, tastings and a bit of grape picking. For something completely different, Rathfinny Estate in Sussex offer an experience where you can experiment with adding sugar to base wines to get you that little bit closer to being a wine-maker.  

One of a kind vineyard experiences

There are a few vineyard experiences that need a category all of their own. Herd it on the Grape Vine in Yorkshire is an award-winning collaboration between Laurel Vines and Dumble Farm that enables you to combine a Highland cow safari with a vineyard tour and picnic. Whilst in Oxfordshire you can join a guided vineyard walk, hosted by Walk Works, visiting up to four fabulous Chiltern Hills vineyards in one day.

2025 saw some amazing one-off events including a candlelit concert, fizz & oyster festival and stargazing evening and there will be plenty more to look forward to throughout 2026.  

If this has inspired you to visit a vineyard, sign up for the free Fizzology newsletter so you can keep up to date with news and events taking place around the country.