Sunshine-soaked slopes and sprawling fields of vines are often associated with the southern coasts of Italy or the Champagne region of France – but who can forget the gorgeous vineyards we have on our doorstep in the UK!
Some may be surprised to learn that there is blossoming viticulture in the UK due to the warmer climate in southern areas and the increasing demand for British-made goods. The most recent harvest figures show approximately 79,128 hectolitres (one hectolitre is equivalent to one hundred litres!) of wine were produced in the UK in 2020; something that’s only increasing year on year.
To find the most beautiful of the bunch, SWR analysed the 268 visitable vineyards in the UK against Instagram hashtags, five-star Google reviews, and the number of times 'beautiful' 'stunning' and 'gorgeous' appeared in reviews.
Denbies Wine Estate
Credit: Denbies
As the largest vineyard in England, with over 265 acres of vines (and 627 acres overall), Denbies Wine Estate tops our list. With a huge volume of positive reviews on Google and 29,481 Instagram hashtags from the estate, a trip to Denbies in Dorking is sure to be a beautiful day out.
Although the estate is famous for its indoor winery tours and vineyard train rides, there are also a variety of tastings to attend, or visit the on-site brewery and art gallery!
Want to raise a glass in these gorgeous surroundings? Travel from London Waterloo to Dorking, and once you arrive, the estate is only a 15-minute walk from the station.
The Vineyard Leonardslee Gardens
Located in some of the finest woodland gardens in England, this vineyard in West Sussex is surrounded by an oasis of beauty. Google reviewers would agree, with 415 mentions of how ‘stunning’ and ‘gorgeous’ this vineyard is!
As England’s first pinotage vineyard, this winery saw its first harvest in August 2020 and expects to produce its first batch of wine in 2023. However, for now, they offer a range of different wine tours with tastings from their sister vineyard in South Africa.
To get to this oasis, begin your journey at Clapham Junction station, take a train to Horsham, then the vineyard is only a 30-minute ride on the 17 bus.
Llanerch Vineyard
Credit: Llanerch
Amongst the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside lies Llanerch Vineyard. Home to an oasis of blossoming vines, this is the oldest vineyard in Wales. If that wasn’t enough to warrant first place on our list, Llanerch garnered the most mentions of ‘beautiful’, ‘stunning’ and ‘gorgeous’ compared to the other vineyards in our study amongst a myriad of glowing reviews on Google.
This estate in Hensol boasts an established winery and is also a gorgeous hotel retreat for visitors. With a range of tours available, guests can experience the journey of Llanerch’s award-winning Cariad wines from grape to glass.
Chapel Down
Credit: Chapel Down
Located in the heart of the so-called Garden of England, Chapel Down vineyard ranked in fourth position. This stunning winery is certainly worth writing about, as Chapel Down has 20,932 Instagram hashtags - one of the highest figures on our list!
On the banks of this south-eastern metropolis, the grapes of Chapel Down benefit from the warm, maritime climate to produce a variety of sparkling and still wines. Whether you want to set out on the Walking with Wine tour or prefer a simple tasting experience, there are plenty of ways to experience the blossoming viticulture at Chapel Down!
Nyetimber Manor Vineyard
Credit: Nyetimber
Prefer a bottle of bubbly?Nyetimber Manor Vineyard has bubbles worth bragging about, with 24,308 Instagram hashtags!
Established in South Downs for over 25 years, Nyetimber is produced from 100% estate-owned grapes and is renowned as one of the finest English sparkling wines. Here the soil has the same composition as the Champagne region, so you’ll have fun trying to taste the difference during the vineyard’s tasting tours!
Holmfirth Vineyard
Tucked away in West Yorkshire, you’ll find Holmfirth Vineyard, which came in sixth place. This vineyard has amassed 767 five-star reviews on Google reviews, with 136 mentions of its beauty!
On your visit to the vineyard, you can expect to learn about the colourful history of the Holme Valley and, of course, test out the award-winning wines. This is the most budget-friendly option on our list, with the basic tour and tasting costing just £12.50 per person!
Lympstone Manor
Set in Devon, this vineyard saw its first harvest in September 2020 and has already impressed its visitors. Many have professed their love for Lympstone Manor on Instagram and Google reviews, with 398 five-star reviews, 92 of them including the terms ‘beautiful’, ‘stunning’ and ‘gorgeous’.
In a short few years, this dilapidated mansion has transformed into a thriving estate, offering hotel stays, vineyard tours and more for its guests. With such a promising beginning, Lympstone Manor wines are set to lead the south-west’s viticulture scene.
To wander amongst the vines yourself, hop on a train from London Waterloo to Exeter St David’s before getting a connecting train to Exmouth station. From here, Lympstone Manor is only a 20-minute journey via the 57 bus towards Exeter.
Wyken Vineyards
Sitting in eighth place on our list in Wyken Vineyards, a converted medieval barn located in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. Being the first vineyard restaurant in the UK, visitors can expect to enjoy award winning wine and Michelin level cuisine, seen by the 496 5-star reviews left on Google.
Offering a weekly farmers market, pizza kitchen, farm shop, and restaurant, there truly is something for everyone at Wyken. The vineyard prides itself on its dedication to sustainability and local produce, with their heating coming from their wood fires, electricity coming from the farm's solar panels and salad and vegetables all produced in their kitchen gardens.
Aldwick Estate
In the family since 1905, Aldwick Estate has been producing award winning wine since 2014. With1,283 hashtags, and 34% (95) of it’s Google reviews describing the beauty of the estate, it’s no wonder Aldwick has made it onto our list.
Securing two Wedding Industry awards in 2023, Aldwick is the perfect spot to tie in knot in the Sussex countryside and you’ll be able to indulge your guest in their multitude of fine wines.
Tillingham Winery
Nestled in the rolling hills and woodlands of East Sussex, Tillingham Winery comes in joint nineth. Boosting over 5,000 Instagram hashtags and 136 five-star reviews on Google, this 13th-centuryth century farm has stood the test of time.
Combining ancient farming traditions and innovative new technology, Tillingham offers an idyllic escape for natural wine lovers. The recently renovated farmstead provides a place for visitors to enjoy the views of the Tillingham River Valley, disconnect from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and explore local produce.
Tinwood Estate
This family farm went from salads to vines to produce English sparkling wines, with their chalk-rich soil like that found in Champagne and Burgandy. With nearly 2,000 hashtags showing off the Estates offering on Instagram, it is clear to see why 84% of its 437 reviews on Google are five- stars.
Vineyard tours, afternoon teas, and stays in the farm's luxury lodges, Tinwood’s location in the Southdown provides plenty of options to indulge and relax in the Sussex countryside.
Nothing beats a day trip which revolves around a beverage! Whether you want to explore the inner workings of independent breweries or prefer to clink glasses in a cocktail bar, it’s time to start planning your perfect day out. If beautiful vineyards, wine and a good time sounds like your ideal trip, plan in advance and book your train tickets online. With a range of ticket types available, ensure you get the best price and discover the most convenient way to travel. Looking for an even bigger saving? Check which railcards and discounts you may be eligible for.
Methodology
To find the most beautiful vineyards in the UK, SWR collated a seed list of 268 visitable vineyards from Wine Cellar Door.
Each vineyard was analysed against its number of hashtags on Instagram, the number of Google reviews that contained the words 'beautiful' 'stunning' and 'gorgeous' and the number of five-star Google reviews.
The data points were given a 40/40/20 weighting respectfully to award a score of out 100.
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