5 Picturesque Vineyards Close to London for a Day Trip

There are many fantastic sparkling wine producers right at home, with new ones popping up all the time. They make a great day-trip out of London, where you can tour the lovely vineyards and taste quality English bubbly. Here’s just a few options to try who offer a great variety of affordable tours, tastings, food and experiences.

Denbies Wine Estate
This lovely Surrey vineyard is just an hour from London Victoria by train. They offer a great variety of tours, including tasting experiences, including food, sparkling wine and cinema, starting at just £10.95.

There’s also outdoor tours to explore the vineyards, experience grape picking or see how their award-winning sparkling wines are made – starting at just £6.50! There’s also a restaurant if you want to try some food pairing after your journey. Open Monday to Saturday from April.
London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6AA

Ridgeview Estate
Ridgeview Estate is certainly making a positive name for itself in the wine industry, it’s even been served by the Queen herself! Gordon Ramsay also serves it at one of his restaurants in France.

Ridgeview’s picturesque vineyards are nestled in the South Downs in the village of Ditchling, just north of Brighton. Open for tastings from Monday to Sunday, 11am-4pm. They offer tours starting from just £15.
Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common, East Sussex, BN6 8TP

Chapel Down
Chapel Down is located in the beautiful Kent countryside, close to the picturesque market town of Tenterden.
The guided tour allows you to go behind the scenes, walking through the 22 acres of vineyards, which are recognised as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and learning all about English bubbly. It includes a tutored wine tasting of the award-winning Chapel Down range.

Tours start at just £10 beginning from April. They are open to the public all year round every day from 10.00am until 5.00pm for exploring the grounds and restaurant.
Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 7NG

Bolney Wine Estate
Bolney is keen to share their enthusiasm for English wine by offering a variety of tours to suit your tastes. These include sparkling afternoon teas (starting at £34) and masterclasses such as ‘Cheese and Wine Matching’ and ‘Sparkling Wine Tutorial’.

The basic ‘Taste Tour’ costs £16 and include a tour of the vineyard and a tutored tasting.
Foxhole Lane, Bolney, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5NB

Bluebell Vineyard
Bluebell opens it’s Tasting Room doors all year round from 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday. Their relaxed and fun group wine tours cost £16 per person, where you will experience the sparkling wine process from ‘grape to glass’.

It includes tour of their beautiful vineyard, an insight into the winemaking process and a tasting session.
When the weather’s warmer, guests are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the views.
Glenmore Farm, Sliders Lane, Furners Green, East Sussex, TN22 3RU