While England may not be the first place that comes to mind for a wine holiday, there’s plenty on offer for oenophiles looking to venture beyond the usual French or Italian escape. Between vineyard tastings, estate tours and increasingly sophisticated vino experiences, the U.K. makes a compelling alternative, particularly if you enjoy sparkling wine.
England’s fizz is no longer an insider secret, with producers regularly picking up international awards and earning a place on some of the world’s most prestigious wine lists. As luxury hotels pair seasonal programs with easy access to these wineries, there’s never been a better time to discover England’s wine scene.
Nyetimber, West Sussex
Nyetimber pioneered England’s modern sparkling wine movement and has gone on to become one of the country’s most renowned producers. Its traditional-method sparkling wines are made from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, with the range including its signature classic cuvée, blanc de blancs and rosé along with single-vineyard and prestige cuvées. While its 11 vineyards span around 1,050 acres across West Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, the estate originated in West Sussex.
Here, visitors can enjoy guided tours among the vines, tastings in a 15th-century medieval barn and seasonal dining experiences, including a two-night event centered around seafood pairings. Outings must be booked in advance as the estate doesn’t accept walk-ins. At under two hours from London by car or train, it makes an easy addition to a city break.
Where to Stay
Around an hour’s drive from Nyetimber, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire makes an elegant countryside base for exploring the wider wine region. This beautifully restored Georgian manor combines classic country-house charm with a destination spa, several restaurants and abundant space where you can unwind after a day of wine tasting.
For a more intimate West Sussex stay, Gravetye Manor is an Elizabethan country house with just 17 rooms set within quintessentially British gardens that has an acclaimed restaurant showcasing local produce. Both options offer a bucolic setting from which to discover the region’s vineyards.
Rathfinny Wine Estate, East Sussex
Set in the Cradle Valley of the South Downs, a scenic stretch of rolling chalk hills along England’s southeast coast, Rathfinny is worth visiting for its spectacular setting as well as its celebrated wines. Founded by husband-and-wife team Mark and Sarah Driver in 2010, the family-run estate is a single-site grower-producer, so every step of the winemaking process takes place here. All the wines are made from hand-harvested grapes and aged in bottle for two to three years.
Rathfinny’s south-facing chalky slopes and the nearby sea create a mild maritime climate, which is said to give its vintage sparkling varieties their signature freshness and mineral character. Tour the vines and the architecturally impressive winery and settle in for seasonal feasts at Flint Barns Dining Room or The Hut, an alfresco wine bar.
Where to Stay
For the most immersive experience, stay at Rathfinny itself, in the estate’s converted 19th-century flint barn, which boasts 10 bedrooms overlooking the vineyard.
Hambledon Vineyard, Hampshire
As England’s oldest commercial vineyard, Hambledon has been championing premium English sparkling wine since 1952. It produces classic cuvée, première cuvée and blanc de blancs, with its vines growing in chalk soils formed from the same geological formation found in parts of Champagne’s celebrated Côte des Blancs.
A visit combines the vineyard’s fascinating history with a hands-on introduction to English winemaking, with knowledgeable guides taking guests behind the scenes and sharing their expertise before a tutored tasting. The recently opened restaurant overlooks the vines, making it tempting to linger over lunch after the tour.
Beyond the estate, pretty villages and country estates dot the surrounding countryside, while the South Downs National Park is within easy reach. At around 90 minutes by car from London, Hambledon is an easy addition to a wider itinerary.
Where to Stay
Around 45 minutes by car from Hambledon, Four-Star Heckfield Place occupies an 18th-century Georgian estate on sweeping grounds that are home to ancient woodlands, a working farm and beautifully tended gardens. The hotel has a strong connection to slow food and nature. Its two restaurants (Marle and Hearth) are overseen by world-class chef Eleanor Henson, while the hotel’s Bothy by Wildsmith spa takes a holistic approach to well-being and uses its own Wildsmith Skin range.
Gusbourne Estate, Kent
Gusbourne is tucked into the countryside of Appledore, Kent, with a sister vineyard in West Sussex. Proving it’s not just sparkling varieties that make up England’s wine scene, it also produces exceptional still chardonnay and pinot noir, showcasing a broader expression of the country’s offering. Visitors can book guided vineyard tours and tastings in the estate’s contemporary tasting room, pairing wines with local Kentish produce.
The setting is quintessentially English, set amid orchards, traditional oast houses and rolling hills, yet the wines rival top Champagne houses in quality. At the heart of the estate is The Nest, where guests can choose from relaxed tastings in The Winemaker’s Library, The Cellar or The Hide. There’s also a longer experience combining a tour, tasting and three-course lunch.
Where to Stay
The Gallivant at Camber Sands is particularly well suited to a Gusbourne visit, thanks to its exclusive partnership with the estate, which gives guests access to private vineyard tours and tastings. It’s a relaxed coastal hotel that’s also home to one of the country’s largest English wine lists, with more than 40 cuvées, making it possible to continue exploring English wine long after leaving the vineyard.
