Best Staycations
20 February 2026
Something remarkable has been happening in the English countryside. Quietly, without much fanfare, England has become a serious wine-producing nation. The chalky soils of the South Downs, the sheltered valleys of Devon, and the gentle slopes of Kent have proved ideal for growing grapes, particularly those varieties used in sparkling wine. English sparkling wine now regularly beats Champagne in blind tastings, and the wine tourism industry that has grown up around these vineyards is one of the most exciting developments in British travel.
For those who appreciate wine, the opportunity to stay among the vines, to taste directly from the barrel, and to walk the rows where the grapes grow is an experience that brings a deeper understanding to every glass. This guide explores the best vineyard stays in England, from converted granaries to country house hotels, and offers practical advice on planning your own English wine trail.
The Rise of English Wine
Twenty years ago, English wine was a polite joke. The climate was considered too cold, the tradition too thin, and the results too inconsistent to be taken seriously. That has changed dramatically. Climate change, improved viticulture, and significant investment have transformed English wine from a curiosity into a genuine rival to some of the world's most established wine regions.
The numbers tell the story. England now has over 900 vineyards, covering more than 4,000 hectares. Production has tripled in the past decade. And the quality has risen in lockstep with the quantity. Winemakers like Nyetimber, Ridgeview, and Gusbourne have established international reputations, and English sparkling wine, made using the same traditional method as Champagne, has won gold medals at competitions around the world.
The climate plays a crucial role. The chalk soils of southern England are geologically identical to those of Champagne, and as average temperatures have risen, the growing conditions have become increasingly favourable. The long, cool ripening season produces grapes with the acidity and finesse that sparkling wine demands.
Where to Stay on the English Wine Trail
The Granary at Coes Vineyard, Sussex
This is the purest vineyard stay we have found. The Granary is a beautifully converted barn set within the vines of Coes Vineyard in Sussex, where the chalky South Downs provide the same terroir that makes Champagne famous. The conversion retains the original timber frame and brick floors while adding contemporary comforts. You can walk among the vines from your door, taste the estate's wines, and learn about the winemaking process directly from the people who do it. The views across the vineyard to the Downs beyond are quintessentially English, and in autumn, when the leaves turn gold, it is strikingly beautiful.
Lympstone Manor Hotel Restaurant and Vineyard, Devon
Michael Caines' celebrated country house hotel on the Exe Estuary has its own vineyard, and the integration of wine production into the hotel experience is seamless. The vine-planted terraces slope down towards the estuary, and the wines produced from them appear on the restaurant's wine list alongside some of the finest bottles in the world. The hotel itself is exquisite: rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, the views are extraordinary, and the Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the finest in the West Country. Wine tours and tastings are available to hotel guests.
Updown Farmhouse, Kent
Kent has long been known as the Garden of England, and its wine-growing credentials are increasingly impressive. Updown Farmhouse is a charming B&B set within a working vineyard, offering an authentic experience of English wine country. The farmhouse has been simply but tastefully renovated, and the welcome from the hosts is warm and genuine. Tours of the vineyard are available, and the opportunity to taste wines that are produced in genuinely small quantities is a rare privilege.
Forest Side, Lake District
While not a vineyard property in the traditional sense, Forest Side deserves mention for its exceptional approach to wine and foraging. The hotel, a Victorian mansion set in 46 acres of gardens and woodland on the edge of Grasmere, holds a Michelin star and a wine list that includes an impressive selection of English wines. The kitchen garden and foraging programme provide ingredients that are paired with wines from across the English wine-growing regions, offering an education in the breadth of what England can produce.
Longueville Manor, Channel Islands
Strictly speaking, Jersey is not England. But Longueville Manor, a thirteenth-century manor house with its own vineyard, offers a wine-focused stay that is too good to exclude. The manor sits in 18 acres of gardens and woodland, with the vineyard producing wines that appear exclusively on the hotel's own list. The Michelin-starred restaurant makes superb use of the kitchen garden, and the integration of wine, food, and place is exemplary.
Planning Your English Wine Trail
The English wine trail is best explored between May and October, when the vineyards are at their most active and attractive. Harvest season, typically September and October, is a particularly exciting time to visit, as you can witness the picking and early stages of winemaking.
Most English vineyards offer tours and tastings, but booking in advance is essential, particularly at smaller producers. Prices typically range from fifteen to thirty pounds per person for a tour and tasting of three to five wines.
If you are driving the wine trail, designate a driver or book a taxi service. Many vineyards in Sussex and Kent are within a short drive of each other, making it possible to visit two or three in a single day. The Surrey Hills, the South Downs, and the North Downs all have clusters of vineyards that can be linked into a coherent route.
For a weekend itinerary, we suggest starting in Sussex or Kent, where the concentration of vineyards is highest. Visit two or three vineyards on your first day, stay overnight at The Granary at Coes Vineyard or Updown Farmhouse, then explore a further vineyard or two on your second day. Allow time between tastings: the English countryside is beautiful, and a walk along the South Downs Way between vineyard visits is immensely rewarding.
The Wines to Try
English sparkling wine is the flagship product and the place to start. Look for wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, the classic Champagne grapes. The best examples have a finesse and freshness that is distinctly English: less biscuity than Champagne, with bright citrus and green apple notes and a precision that reflects the cool climate.
Still wines are a growing part of the English wine story. Bacchus, sometimes called the English Sauvignon Blanc, produces aromatic whites with elderflower and gooseberry notes that are particularly food-friendly. Pinot Noir, grown as a still red wine, is increasingly impressive, with examples that show genuine complexity and ageing potential.
Orange wines, pet-nats, and other natural wine styles are emerging from smaller producers who are pushing the boundaries of what English winemakers can achieve. Seek these out at smaller vineyards and independent wine shops.
The Future of English Wine Tourism
English wine tourism is still in its relative infancy, which is part of its appeal. The vineyards are small, the experience is intimate, and the people you meet are often the same people who planted the vines and made the wine. This will not last forever. As English wine continues to grow in reputation and popularity, the tourism infrastructure will inevitably become more polished and commercial.
For now, visiting an English vineyard retains a sense of discovery and authenticity that wine regions like Napa Valley or Bordeaux lost long ago. The wines are excellent, the settings are beautiful, and the welcome is warm. If you have not yet explored the English wine trail, now is the time to start.
