You don’t have to go abroad to try good wines – English vineyards are pure magic! Believe it or not there are over 400 vineyards dotted around this green and pleasant land and our home-grown wine industry is flourishing, with several varieties stealing top awards.
 
And what better way to unwind when on a Staycation holiday than getting out in the fresh air to nose around a vineyard? There are many vineyards near our holiday cottages which are open to the public –treasures aplenty to be explored through rosé-tinted glasses! You can soak up the historic surroundings, learn about one of the UK’s oldest industries, and (most importantly) enjoy a tipple of England’s finest accompanied by some delicious local food.
 
So raise a glass to our pick of England’s wonderful vineyards and wine tasting …

Kent

Biddenden Vineyards by Ewan Munro

Wine lovers staying at our five star holiday cottages in Bethersden will find themselves surrounded by Kent’s famous vineyards. Thanks to its rich chalk soil, Kent is bursting with award-winning vineyards. Thirsty oenophiles can enjoy a premium winery tour, sample incredible sparkling wines and wander through acres of sun-kissed vines. Start at Biddenden Vineyards for delicious bubbles and ciders, and make a short journey to Chapel Down Winery in Tenterden to sample their world-famous fizz nearby. If you’re salivating for more, the Hush Heath Estate near Staplehurst and Gusborne Estate near Appledore offer stunning walks and tours, and pink fizzes that are sure to tickle your nose. Champagne…WATCH OUT!

Find out more: Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden TN27 8DF. biddenvineyards.com; Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden TN30 7NG. www.chapeldown.com; Hush Heath Estate, Five Oak Lane, Staplehurst TN12 0HT. hushheath.com; Gusborne, Kenardington Road, Appledore, Ashford TN26 2BE. www.gusborne.com.

Make a break of it: Check out Manor Farmhouse for your next wine-filled Kent break. They’re 15 to 45 minutes’ drive from these wonderful vineyards. Chink, chink…

East Devon

Left: Pebblebed Vineyards/Right: Lily Farm Vineyard

Discover award-winning wine in the picturesque estuary town of Topsham, near Exeter with a tour of Pebblebed Vineyards. Then pop over to Pebblebed’s tasting cellar on the riverside near the Quay to taste their wines accompanied by local tapas, followed by a stroll around Topsham’s historic port. Alternatively, head to Lily Farm Vineyard for a little breath of Devon fresh air. Offering tasting tours from April to September, this small, family run boutique vineyard, established in 2005, produces award-winning English sparkling and still wines and has an outdoor café for a tipple and light refreshments. It’s on Route 2 of the Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth link of the National Cycle Network, which sounds a great way to get there.

Find out more: Pebblebed Vineyards, Marianne Pool Farm, Exeter EX3 ONZ. www.pebblebed.co.uk; Lily Farm Vineyard, Dalditch Lane, Knowle, Budleigh Salterton EX9 7AH. www.lilyfarmvineyard.com

Make a break of it: Our East Devon holiday cottages are 15-30 minutes’ drive away. Just don’t tell everybody – you heard it through the grapevine, remember?

Cornwall

© Camel Valley Wines 2017

Make sure that your holiday at Killigorrick Farm & Cottages encompasses a visit to Camel Valley Vineyard! Nestled among the medieval marvels of rural Bodmin, the idyllic setting on sun-drenched slopes near the Camel River has helped the vineyard to produce award-winning wines since 1989. You are always guaranteed a warm welcome and tours lend an intimate and informal understanding of how the owners created a national treasure. Soak up the beautiful Camel Valley views with a drink on the terrace and choose some bottles to take home. Found just off the Camel Trail cycle route, this is the perfect opportunity to combine a gentle cycle ride or walk with a visit to the vineyard.

Find out more: Camel Valley Vineyard, Nanstallon, Bodmin PL30 5LG. www.camelvalley.com

Make a break of it: Why not treat your palate with a stay at our Killigorrick Farm Cottages, half an hour’s drive away.

Suffolk

Vineyard at Wyken Hall by Bob Jones

Guests at our gorgeous Vicarage House in the Norfolk Brecks can hop over to Suffolk to Wyken Vineyards. This farm and estate is home to a seven-acre vineyard which produces award-winning wines, including English Wine of the Year. Pick up some goodies in their lovely shop, buy some Wyken wine, experience fine dining at its atmospheric restaurant, the Leaping Hare, or sample local produce from the Saturday Farmer’s Market. You are free to walk to the vineyard from the restaurant through their Home Meadow and beautiful ancient woodland. For children, there are animals in the meadow, including llamas. It makes the perfect day out for the whole family.

Find out more: Wyken Vineyards, Wyken Road, Bury St Edmunds IP31 2DW. wykenvineyards.co.uk

Make a break of it: Stay at gorgeous luxury Vicarage House / Vicarage House & Pool House half an hour’s drive away, and enjoy great wine and a relaxing holiday.

Shropshire

Tanners Wine Merchants by M Evison

When staying at The Oaks near Church Stretton, don’t miss the opportunity to taste fine wines at Tanners Wines. One of the top wine merchants in the UK, it’s set within a beautiful black and white Tudor building in the heart of Shrewsbury. The cellars hark back to an age when wine was treasured and stored in purpose built rooms complete with arches and wine bins. For vineyard tours, soak up Shropshire’s beauty with a stroll around the vineyards at Kerry Vale and Wroxeter Roman Vineyard.

Find out more: Tanners Wine Merchants, 26 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury SY1 1XD. www.tanners-wines.co.uk; Kerry Vale Vineyard, Pentreheyling, SY15 6HU. www.kerryvalevineyard.co.uk/; Wroxeter Roman Vineyard, Wroxeter, Shrewsbury SY5 6PQ. www.wroxetervineyard.co.uk.

Make a break of it: Toast the views at The Oaks, our beautiful country house nestled in the Shropshire Hills AONB. It’s less than half an hour’s drive from all the above. We’ll drink to that…

Wiltshire

 Quoins Vineyard

You may not think of Wiltshire as an important wine producing region but it is! Just outside Devizes you’ll find a’Beckett’s Vineyard, an 11 acre English country gem producing a range of fine English sparkling and still wines. On the edge of Bradford on Avon, you can enjoy an organic tipple among the vines at Quoins Organic Vineyard. A real family affair, Quoins is one of the only six vineyards in the UK to have organic status.

Find out more: a’Beckett’s Vineyard, Littleton Panell, Devizes SN10 4EN. www.abecketts.co.uk; Quoins Organic Vineyard, Little Ashley, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 2PW. quoinsvineyard.co.uk

Make a break of it: If you are planning to come to Wiltshire and want to tickle your taste buds, why not make a short break of it and stay at Stable Cottage near Pewsey, 30 minutes’ drive from a’Beckett’s Vineyard.
Alternatively, raise your glasses at Henfield Barn. Our fabulous party house sleeps 15 and is just half an hour’s drive from Quoins Organic Vineyard. Perfect for your group, this vineyard welcome groups and hen parties for organised tours and even gourmet picnics supplied by Hartley Farm Cafe nearby. A rather fun way to learn the art of oenology!

Cotswolds

Three Choirs Vineyard by Andrew Callow

Provence in all but name, the Three Choirs Vineyard is one of England’s oldest and most distinguished, continuing to put British wines on the map with rave reviews. With its own microclimate and 75 acres of glorious vineyard, it’s a wonderful place for a stroll too, and there’s even a nature trail to keep little ones busy. As well as daily tours and tastings, there is a restaurant, a micro-brewery and a friendly shop on site selling eight wines.

Find out more: Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent GL18 1LS. www.three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk

Make a break of it: Tickle your taste buds with a break at one of our Gloucestershire or Herefordshire cottages. Less than 45 minutes away, Three Choirs is a day out for the whole family.

North Devon

© Quance Wines

North Devon’s balmy climate and sheltered south-facing slopes provide ideal grape growing conditions. Quance Wines are a small boutique vineyard set in the beautiful rolling countryside of North Devon, producing a range of exquisite still wines. They are open to the public for tours and tastings by appointment from April through to September. Definitely worth a visit!

Find out more: Quance Wines, Summermoor Vineyard, Hearson, Swimbridge EX32 0QH quancewines.com

Make a break of it: Bring your wine knowledge up to scratch with a stay at Tawstock Castle, just 15 minutes’ drive away.

North Somerset

© Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard

If you’re planning a North Somerset holiday, your taste buds are in for a real treat. Discover the secrets of Somerset’s largest vineyard at Aldwick Court Farm just a short distance away. This vineyard, planted in 2008, is set in open countryside with magnificent views, offering tastings and expert-led tours. Explore the 11 acres of vines that produce award-winning sparkling and still wines followed by a wine tasting session in the wonderfully appointed tasting room. A real treat.

Find out more: Aldwick Court Farm & Vineyard, Redhill, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 5RF. www.aldwickcourtfarm.co.uk

Make a break of it: Pamper your taste buds with a stay at our North Somerset holiday cottages just 15-20 minutes’ drive away. So near, so wonderful!