Picture the scene: you’re leaning back in your chair, glass in hand, savouring the crisp, refreshing notes of a premium wine; the sun streams through the windows and warms your skin as you look out onto the vines; a few colourful, seasonal dishes are brought over to your table; all is right with the world.
And what if we told you that you didn’t have to travel to Bordeaux or Tuscany for this idyllic experience, because it’s available right here in the UK? Southern England, to be precise, has been making waves in the wine world for years now, leaving it ripe for exploration. And to make your travels as relaxed as possible, we’ve compiled a list of the best vineyard restaurants to visit along the way. Cheers!
Leaping Hare: A Day on the Farm
Stanton, SuffolkWe start in Suffolk, relatively far north for English winegrowing, but still home to Wyken Vineyards. Part of a 1,200-acre farm, grapes aren’t the only thing growing here, with produce from the kitchen garden and animals reared on the farm all contributing to on-site restaurant Leaping Hare. Occupying a former barn, it’s a rustic-chic space where the cooking doesn’t reinvent the wheel but hits the spot thanks to the quality of the ingredients. A shop selling books, homeware and Wyken wines, plus a garden and farmer’s market, mean you could easily spend hours upon hours here.
Swan Wine Kitchen: One of England’s Top Wineries
Tenterden, KentFurther south, in Kent, where the warm climate has helped English winegrowing to flourish, Chapel Down is one of the most prolific and well-regarded producers in the country. On the first floor of its timber-clad shop building, you’ll find Swan Wine Kitchen – where the best tables have views of the vines. To accompany the seasonal dishes, Chapel Down’s own wines include both sparkling and still options, with the latter a less common option from English vineyards. Look out for the Kit’s Coty wines in particular, the premium range from the estate’s strongest vineyard.
Tillingham: A Low-Intervention Selection
Peasmarsh, East SussexIn recent years, restaurant wine lists have been home to an explosion of natural, biodynamic and low-intervention wines. If you’re after a taste yourself, then Tillingham is a good option amongst the English producers. The wines here have had minimal intervention and that ethos of simple, pure flavours is reflected in its restaurant. The bright, colourful cooking makes the most of high-quality local produce in dishes executed with admirable skill and simplicity. The Tillingham operation as a whole is worth exploring, including the shop, café and bedrooms.
Rathfinny Tasting Room: Knockout Vineyard Views
Alfriston, East SussexIf you’d like your wine country trip to take a coastal detour, then the Rathfinny Wine Estate is the place to be – only 15 minutes’ drive from the sea and 45 minutes from Brighton. The Tasting Room restaurant provides stunning vineyard views and is primarily open for lunch, serving sharing plates powered by seasonal Sussex ingredients. Whilst Rathfinny is best known for its brisk, delicate sparkling wines, it also produces some still options under the Cradle Valley label, as well as Seven Sisters spirits, which are made using the third pressing of grapes from the estate.
Want to learn more about English wine? We’ve got you covered with our beginner’s guide.
Interlude: MICHELIN-Star Tasting Menus
Lower Beeding, West SussexAs one of the few MICHELIN-Starred restaurants on the doorstep of the vines, Interlude is a must-visit for all food and wine aficionados. It’s located inside the fine Leonardslee House, itself part of the sprawling Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens which includes, of course, a vineyard. Their own sparkling wines are included on the wine list, as are bottles from the owners’ Benguela Cove winery in South Africa. You’ll have plenty of time to sample them both during a lengthy tasting menu that offers course after course of highly complex dishes underscored by the estate’s superb produce.
Chalk: A South Downs Showstopper
Pulborough, West SussexWiston Estate is one of England’s leading wine producers, so a visit here is a must. As at most vineyards on this list, tours and tastings are on offer, so make sure you book yourself a place to get the full experience. After becoming better acquainted with the wines, settle in for lunch at Chalk. Named after a type of soil found across the South Downs (similar to that found in Champagne), the restaurant serves straightforward, appealing dishes that are guided by the seasons and pack in plenty of bold, complementary flavours thanks to the quality of the ingredients.
Lympstone Manor: The Whole Package
Lympstone, DevonVisiting Lympstone Manor is one of the most complete experiences you can have as a lover of great food, drink and hospitality. A beautiful Georgian country house, it is the current home of renowned chef Michael Caines – and he’s certainly chosen a lovely location. Stunning views of the Exe Estuary are just one of the hotel’s many appeals; another is its MICHELIN-Starred restaurant, where Caines serves classical dishes executed with textbook technique and delivering sumptuous flavours. Completing the package is the vineyard, which you can tour during your stay.
Barnaby’s: Not Just for Wine
Saint Issey, CornwallOur wine country travels have now taken us all the way over to the Cornish coast. Just a short drive inland from the foodie hub of Padstow – and its older sibling Prawn on the Lawn – Barnaby’s sits on the Trevibban Mill vineyards. Less seafood-heavy than most restaurants in Cornwall, the menu here showcases some Middle Eastern and North African influences, be it muhammara or lamb kofta. The friendly team ensure a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and there’s an orchard on the estate too, which means homemade cider for you to try as well as the wines.
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Hero Image: A riotously colourful selection of wines at Tillingham in East Sussex. © Andrew Hayes Watkins
