English Wine Trail Itineraries

Trail 1: The Sussex Downs Trail

Route: Nyetimber, Ridgeview, Bolney, Rathfinny | Duration: 2 days | Distance: 55 miles | Cost: £200-350pp

The canonical English wine trail. Four of the most significant Sussex producers arranged in a logical arc across the county, from the wooded farmland of West Chiltington to the chalk escarpment above Alfriston.

Day 1: Morning at Nyetimber (open days in summer). Lunch at The Queen's Head, West Chiltington. Afternoon at Ridgeview, Ditchling Common (audio tour £10). Stay near Hassocks.

Day 2: Morning at Bolney Wine Estate (Eighteen Acre Restaurant opens at 9am). Afternoon at Rathfinny, where the Cellar Door and Tasting Room restaurant are Michelin-recommended. Stay at the Flint Barns (from £90) or the Star Inn, Alfriston.

Trail 2: The Kent Garden of England

Route: Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Simpsons, Balfour | Duration: 2 days | Distance: 65 miles | Cost: £220-380pp

Day 1: Morning at Chapel Down, Tenterden (Wine and Dine experience £110). Afternoon at Gusbourne, Appledore (tours from £30). Stay at The Mermaid Inn, Rye (from £120).

Day 2: Morning at Simpsons Wine Estate, Barham (tour £25; the Glass House Tasting Room is architecturally striking). Afternoon at Balfour Winery, Staplehurst (Winemakers' Kitchen for lunch). Free shuttle from Marden station.

Trail 3: Hampshire and Surrey

Route: Hambledon, Exton Park, Hattingley Valley, Greyfriars, Denbies | Duration: 2 days | Distance: 80 miles | Cost: £200-350pp

Day 1: Morning at Hambledon Vineyard (chalk cellars are atmospheric). Lunch at The George Inn, Hambledon. Afternoon at Exton Park, Meon Valley. Stay near Droxford.

Day 2: Morning at Hattingley Valley (Saturday tours at 10:30am). Lunch at The Yew Tree, Lower Wield. Afternoon at Greyfriars, Guildford (35 mins to Waterloo). Optional: add Denbies at Dorking.

Trail 4: The Champagne Challenger

Route: Nyetimber, Gusbourne, Coates & Seely, Ridgeview, Wiston | Duration: 3 days | Distance: 150 miles | Cost: £350-600pp

For someone who wants to understand English sparkling wine as a serious category. All five estates produce wines that compete with Champagne at comparable price points.

Day 1: Nyetimber (West Sussex). Stay at The PIG at Arundel.

Day 2: Drive east to Gusbourne (Kent). Stay at The Mermaid Inn, Rye. Then west to Coates and Seely (Hampshire).

Day 3: Ridgeview and Wiston Estate. Wiston's Chalk Restaurant is one of the better vineyard restaurants in England.

Trail 5: The Quick Hit — London Day Trip

Route: Denbies (Dorking) + Greyfriars (Guildford) | Duration: 1 day | Cost: £80-120pp

The itinerary for a Saturday morning when inspiration strikes.

09:00 Waterloo to Dorking (50 mins). 10:00 Denbies winery tour and tasting. 12:30 Lunch at Denbies. 14:15 Train to Guildford (25 mins), taxi to Greyfriars. 14:45 Self-guided tour and tasting. 16:30 Taxi to Guildford, train to Waterloo. 17:15 Home, having visited two vineyards without a car.