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Top 8 vineyard stays: England and Wales
Planning a summer getaway? Check out our round up of some of the English vineyards offering an idyllic setting and top wines for a quintessentially British escape.
While the likes of Napa and Bordeaux might be home to some of the most grandiose and well-established wine hotels, the UK is increasingly catching up, offering its own brand of wine tourism.
Figures for the 2014 English harvest revealed a record-breaking 47,433 hectolitres, or 6.3 million bottles, of English wine had been produced – up 42% on 2013.
Julia Trustram Eve, marketing director of English Wine Producers said the result proved that English wines really were on an “upward trajectory”, having broken records continually in recent years. The UK vineyard area has doubled in seven years and now stands at in excess of 2,000 hectares, the majority of which is mostly planted for the production of sparkling wine. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are now the most popular varieties, with plantings of these two alone increasing by over 230% in the last eight years.
With the English wine market expanding and the industry’s wines receiving well-deserved praise, wine tourism is almost certain to expand. These are just a few of the vineyards currently offering on-site accommodation, giving you a chance to get a taste for this growing industry first hand.
Scroll through for our pick of just some of the British vineyards offering a place to bed down for the night…
Purbeck Vineyard, Dorset
Nestled in the Dorset countryside, a ston’e throw from Corfe Caste and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, this boutique hotel is set within a two-acre working vineyard. Founded in 2000, the Purbeck Vineyard produces wines made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Phoenix grapes – a white variety of German origin created in 1964 by crossing Bacchus with Villard Blanc. In 2008, there were just 48 hectares of Phoenix in Germany. The vineyard also has small plantings of English grapes Regent and Rondo.
Its hotel comprise nine guest rooms, some of which have balconies overlooking the countryside, and a restaurant.
Three Choirs Vineyard, Gloucestershire
The Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire was founded by two farmers in 1976. Now stretching across 70 acres, the estate boasts a shop, tours, wine tastings, visitor centre, B&B. It produces around 10 styles of English wines including a rosé, sparkling, Bacchus and Siegerrebe – a cross between Madeleine Angevine and Gewürztraminer.
A great base for exploring the Cotswold countryside, Three Choirs boasts eight terraced rooms and three Scandinavian-style lodges, all of which benefit from their close proximity to the vineyard’s restaurant and views across the vines.
In 2014 Three Choirs bought Wickham Vineyard in Hampshire, which is currently being refurbished and areas of its vineyard replanted.
Biddenden Vineyards, Kent
Biddenden Vineyard is Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, having been founded in 1969. Set within 23 acres, the Barnes family grows 11 grape varieties producing white, red, rosé and sparkling wines, as well as traditional ciders.
You can stay at its Vineyard Loft – a second-floor self-catered farmhouse annexe which sleeps two. With private access, the loft has a decked balcony with views across Biddenden’s orchards and vineyards.
Admission to the vineyard is free with guests free to roam on a marked walk through the vineyard, except when it is closed for maintenance.
Valley Farm Vineyards, Suffolk
Valley Farm Vineyards was established in 1987 and is currently owned by Elaine Heeler and Vanessa Tucker, who relocated to Suffolk to run the Vineyard following earlier careers in the public sector. Having trained at Plumpton and Myerscough, the pair produce still white, rosé and sparkling wines made from Madeleine Angevine, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.
Set within its ground is Noah’s Ark, a picturesque barn conversion which sleeps up to 10 people. It boasts a large a large garden with stream and games room, with guests able to wander the nearby 14 acres of vineyards and of course take part in tastings.
Adgestone, Isle of Wight
Adgestone Vineyard on the Isle of Wight is one of Britain’s oldest vineyards having been founded in 1968 by Ken Barlow. Located on the edge of Brading Down, to the east of the island, its 10 acres produce varieties including Bacchus, Phoenix, Scönburger, Gewürztraminer, Seyval Blanc, Regent, Orion, Pinot Noir and Rondo.
Its estate includes a shop, café and two double bedrooms house in its farmhouse which boast views across the island. Guests get free tours of the vineyards and cellars, and a wine tasting.
Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey
Located at England’s largest vineyard, Denbies Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast in Surrey comprises seven double en-suite rooms, available on a bed and breakfast basis.
The vineyard spans 265 acres – three times the size of any other in the UK – and is set on the outskirts of the historic market town of Dorking. The estate comprises 10 estate houses, two restaurants and runs regular tours of the vineyard and tailored tastings.
Glyndwr Vineyard, South Wales
Credit: Air B n’B
The oldest vineyard in Wales, Glyndwr was founded in 1982 by Richard and Susan Norris. Located in the Vale of Glamorgan, the pair produce a range of Welsh wines including a vintage sparkling, red, white and rosé made from varieties including Seyval Blanc, Triomphe d’Alsace, Rondo, Regent, Pinot Noir and Reichensteiner.
The estate comprises a six-acre vineyard and charming Wind in the Willows-style cottage where guests can stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The cottage has its own verandah overlooking an idyllic pond, with chickens, ducks and the odd llama roaming the grounds.
Camel Valley Vineyard, Cornwall
Camel Valley Vineyard in Cornwall was founded by Bob Lindo and his wife Annie in 1989, with the planting of 8,000 vines. Two decades later the winery has 24,000 vines planted and has firmly established itself on the English wine map. The pair combine traditional vineyard practices and a New World approach to winemaking to produce a range of sparkling, white and rosé wines.
In 2012 Camel Valley wines were served to The Queen at Buckingham Palace and at commemorative events throughout her jubilee year.
It offers two holiday cottages overlooking its vineyards with a complimentary bottle of Camel Valley wine provided to all guests staying at the cottage. The Eden Project just 20 minutes away while foodies will relish the vineyard’s proximity to Padstow, where you can sample Rick Stein’s trio of restaurants.