English Vineyard tours at your own pace

Self-guided vineyard tours are on the increase, giving you flexibility to explore at your own pace. There are a few different formats on offer. Some simply enable you to drop in to the cellar door, pick up a free map and roam, whilst others offer a package which includes a glass of wine or tasting flight.

Here are 12 great options if you want to DIY your vineyard tour:

Black Chalk, Hampshire

Purchase a ticket which gives you a tour map and a glass of their award-winning classic sparkling wine to enjoy in the tasting room or out on the terrace. Each numbered signpost on your walk includes a QR code which, when scanned, provides informative audio commentary. Lunch options are also available.

Rathfinny Estate, West Sussex

This self-guided vineyard tour is free and has audio talking posts along the way with information about the location, vines, wildlife and hospitality options on site (of which there are many). Dogs and children are welcome.

Bluestone Vineyards, Wiltshire

For a small fee, you’ll be given a beautifully illustrated map which highlights a selection of routes around the farm, vineyard and woodland. There are information boards at various locations around the vineyard giving insight into what they do at Bluestone. If you want to extend your visit, you can purchase wine flights and platters.

Hanwell Wine Estate, Nottinghamshire

Book a DIY tasting and vineyard trail where you’ll receive 6 wine samples with tasting notes and can follow the vineyard and nature trail map at your leisure. There are also options to order food platters.

Greyfriars Vineyard, Surrey

Pop along to the Cellar Door during opening times (Wed-Sat) and collect a free map before setting off on your own vineyard adventure.

Biddenden Vineyard, Kent

Anytime the vineyard shop is open, you can drop in and purchase an informative self-guided tour pack, which includes a tasting of 3 wines, but can be upgraded to include 6. There are two walking routes to choose from, with the red route taking 40 minutes, including learning about grape varieties and the yellow route taking just 20 minutes.

Calancombe Estate, Devon

On Fridays and Saturdays, you can pay for a self-guided tour using a smartphone app or an annotated map. You’ll learn lots about the vineyards and orchards and get to sample the wines, cassis and ciders with full tasting notes.

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire

For a small fee, you can access the self-guided audio tour full of engaging commentary to help you discover the hidden gems of the vineyard. You’ll also get to sample three wines. There’s a lovely café on site, so you can stay and enjoy local produce.

Langham Wine Estate, Dorset

The self-guided tasting and vineyard walk allow you to taste 3 award-winning wines and stroll around the vineyard, learning about the growing process. While you are there, you can also enjoy lunch at Smiths Kitchen, the delightful vineyard café serving local produce. Both can be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

Albury Vineyard, Surrey

Enjoy a free self-guided tour and wildlife walk by downloading the map or collecting one at the vineyard. You can enjoy wine by the glass in the tasting room or on the patio and they also offer cheese and charcuterie boards. It’s family friendly and dogs on leads are welcome.

Nutbourne Vineyards, West Sussex

Pick up a free illustrated map from the veranda shop and follow the self-guided trail around the vines to discover more about the grapes and wine making. Along the way, there’s a vine quiz on information signs. There are also wildflowers and you might see the alpacas. Back at the Wine Lodge, you can enjoy wine by the glass or in tasting flights. There’s also an option to prebook picnics and platters.

Balfour Winery, Kent

Collect a free map from the Cellar door and explore the picturesque Estate at your own pace, there are two routes to choose from, taking you through beautiful vineyards, apple orchards, wildflower meadows and woodland. If you want to stay for food and drink afterwards, booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.

 

Be spontaneous, enjoy the beauty of vineyards, have a wonderful walk amongst nature, but do remember they are working farms, so make sure you have suitable footwear!

 

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