Which Vineyard Should You Visit On Your Staycation?

The last few years have witnessed the rise of the ‘staycation’. British holidaymakers have become more alert to the possibilities of a holiday in the UK and the tourist trade has upped its game in response. Even if we do share a love of sparkling wine, we all want different things from our summer travels and there’s a UK vineyard for every type of traveller.

The Beach Bum.  You might not be going abroad this year, but you refuse to miss spending some time relaxing by the sea.  If you can bear to tear yourself away from the sands for a few hours, Furleigh Estate, in Bridport, Dorset, is only a few miles from the south-west coast and offers Classic and Grand Tours.

The Adventurer.  Unlike the Beach Bum, you can’t stand to sit still on holiday – you want to be exploring the local terrain, and not necessarily in the comfort of a car! Trek N’Taste vineyard tours, in Sussex’s South Downs, are marketed to active weekenders and incorporate several vineyards offering tours, tasting and picnic hampers.

The Savvy Shopper.  Sussex sounds good to you, but your physical activity of choice is more city and retail based. Court Garden Vineyard, in Ditchling, offers a choice of two tasting tours on Saturdays and is just nine miles from Brighton, with its big-name stores and independent Lanes gems.

The Culture Vulture.  Like the Savvy Shopper, you like to holiday in the city, but are more inclined to art and museums than shops. Ryedale Vineyards offers a number of tours throughout the summer and is just a few miles from York, which claims to have more attractions per square mile than any other UK destination, including York Minster, Clifford’s Tower and York’s Chocolate Story.

The Country Mouse.  While the Savvy Shopper and the Culture Vulture would baulk at a cottage in the middle of nowhere and not having enough phone reception to show their friends what they’ve bought and seen, for you, a holiday is a chance to get as far as possible from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Glyndŵr Vineyard, in Cowbridge, Glamorgan, is as tranquil as it gets.  The tour not only includes three glasses of wine, but a country platter and a dessert to accompany them.  Although Cardiff is just 25 minutes’ drive away, you can completely avoid it if you wish, by staying in the on-site accommodation and striking out further into the Welsh countryside or towards the coast.