Imagine the scene, driving in the sunshine, roof down, through open roads lined with vines, the heady scent of grape must in the air… but what if we told you that this idyllic picture was not some French chateau or Spanish bodega, but right here in the UK on your very own vineyard drive?
The UK wine industry has been causing quite a stir in recent years, producing award-winning wines to rival those of France, Spain and Italy. This development means there are a number of exceptional UK vineyards you can visit that offer wine tours and even overnight accommodation, perfect for planning memorable vineyard drives without having to catch a plane, train or ferry.
So why not celebrate English Wine Week (21-29 June) by taking your car out of storage and heading out on a road trip where the wine is as carefully crafted as the route itself… here’s our guide to the best vineyard tours in the UK for 2025.
1. The Sussex wine trail
Sussex is England’s sparkling wine heartland, and the drive is every bit as refined as the wine. From Windrush Car Storage London take the A24 towards Horsham and enjoy the scenery through the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
From our Cotswolds car storage facility, take the A2472 eastwards from Winchester, then join the A283 and A285 as you skirt the edge of the South Downs National Park. These roads offer a delicious blend of long, sweeping bends, gentle climbs and descents, and the occasional tight corner to keep you engaged. The route rewards those who like to drive – not just steer.
The vineyards:
- Bolney Wine Estate: Established in 1972, this pioneering estate offers award-winning reds, whites and sparkling wines. A luxury vineyard tour here offers a chance to explore their modern winemaking facilities and sample wines on a terrace overlooking the vines.
- Ridgeview: Ridgeview’s sparkling wines have graced royal celebrations and state banquets. Their visitor centre offers intimate tastings and tours, with vineyard picnics a summer highlight.
- Nyetimber: Renowned for elevating English fizz to international acclaim, Nyetimber’s exclusive tours (by prior appointment) offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes.
Stayover:
Make a weekend of it at The Pig in the South Downs, a rustic-chic country house that champions local produce, or South Lodge Hotel, with its superb spa and extensive wine cellar.
Route notes:
From Windrush Cotswolds: ~170 miles (4h 15m)
From Windrush London: ~80 miles (2h 30m)
2. The Garden of England wine route
[Image: Aylesford, Kent]
The drive through Kent’s High Weald AONB is quintessential English motoring – think undulating B-roads, narrow lanes lined with ancient hedgerows, and sudden glimpses of orchards and oast houses. The roads here are tighter, often single track in places, so the pleasure is in the precision – perfect for those who relish threading their car along winding lanes.
The vineyards:
- Balfour Winery: On the grounds of the Hush Heath Estate, this luxury vineyard tour takes in the cutting-edge facilities and an elegant tasting room with panoramic views of the vines.
- Chapel Down Vineyard: Perhaps England’s best-known producer, Chapel Down’s tours are polished affairs, with tasting rooms overlooking their extensive vineyards. Their on-site restaurant, The Swan, is worth the detour.
- Gusbourne Wines: A small producer with a focus on quality, Gusbourne’s contemporary tasting room and well-curated tours make this a highlight of the region.
Stayover:
Enjoy a vineyard tour and stay at one of Chapel Down Vineyard accommodation partners: Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse, a historic property with period charm near Cranbrook, and Chilston Park in Lenham, a grand country house offering luxury and history in equal measure.
Route notes:
From Windrush Cotswolds: ~170 miles (4h 30m)
From Windrush London: ~70 miles (2h 30m)
3. The Cotswolds wine loop
For those based at Windrush Car Storage in the Cotswolds, this loop is pure driving bliss. From our secure car storage facility, pick up the A429 (Fosse Way), a Roman road that slices through the landscape, offering straighter stretches for relaxed cruising, punctuated by roundabouts where you can test your car’s balance and poise.
Veer off on the A417 towards Poulton and enjoy classic Cotswold roads with open fields on one side and dry-stone walls flanking the other. Ease out the clutch around the stunning Cotswold Water Park at South Cerney before heading towards Stroud’s Five Valleys where the roads become narrower and twistier, with more elevation changes as you skirt the escarpments.
The vineyards:
- Poulton Hill Estate: A small, family-run vineyard near Cirencester, known for its charming tasting room and limited-edition wines.
- Woodchester Valley Vineyard: Situated on the outskirts of Stroud, this boutique vineyard offers stylish sparkling wines, grazing lunches and a welcoming visitor experience. You can even stay on site in their vineyard accommodation.
Stayover:
Wind down at The Pig in the Cotswolds, a honey-hued 17th century grade II listed gem with Rosemary Veery-designed gardens and spa, or opt for a stay on-site at Woodchester’s beautiful vineyard accommodation.
Route notes:
From Windrush Cotswolds: ~40 miles (local loop)
From Windrush London: ~100 miles (3h)
4. Hampshire & Surrey Hills Vineyard Drives
This is an easy trip for drivers based at our London car storage facility. The B-roads that snake between the South Downs and the North Downs deliver everything you want from an English country run – tree-lined avenues where the light flickers through the canopy, open patches where you can stretch the car’s legs, and little hamlets that beg you to pause for coffee.
Roads like the B3006 from Selborne or the B2131 to Haslemere combine flowing bends with tighter technical sections, making for an involving drive. The approach to Denbies through the Surrey Hills offers wide views across the vineyards as you descend.
The vineyards:
- Greyfriars Vineyard: Situated on the North Downs, Greyfriars offers informal tastings with a personal touch.
- Hambledon Wine Estate: Established in 1952, Hambeldon claims to be the birthplace of English wines, and is renowned for being one of England’s leading sparkling wine producers.
- Hattingley Valley Wines: A dynamic producer of innovative sparkling wines, offering engaging tours.
- Denbies Wine Estate: One of the UK’s largest vineyards, Denbies combines scale with a warm welcome and excellent on-site accommodation.
Stayover:
Treat yourself to the luxurious Four Seasons Hampshire, unwind at Hotel du Vin Winchester, or stay on-site at Denbies for convenient access.
Route notes:
From Windrush Cotswolds: ~183 miles (5h)
From Windrush London: ~128 miles (3h 30m)
5. Three Choirs Vineyard Drive in Gloucestershire
This is a wonderfully relaxed drive through some of England’s most underrated countryside. From our Cotswolds classic car storage facility pick your way through quintessential Cotswolds countryside and villages towards the A4077. Once you start to head towards the Wye Valley, switch to the B4211 and enjoy wider roads that trace river valleys and offer occasional bursts of spectacular views.
The vineyard:
Three Choirs Vineyard: One of England’s oldest and most picturesque vineyards, it offers tours, tastings, and on-site lodges overlooking the vines.
Stayover:
Book a vineyard lodge at Three Choirs Vineyard to stay on-site or opt for the historic Wilton Court Hotel nearby.
Route notes:
From Windrush Cotswolds: ~40 miles (1h)
From Windrush London: ~115 miles (3h 30m)
Plan your UK wine drive with Windrush
Wherever your UK Wine Week journey takes you, these routes offer the perfect blend of driving pleasure and wine discovery. Just remember, if you’re sampling, plan ahead with an overnight stay or a designated driver. And as ever, Windrush Car Storage can help with the finer details – we can even make sure your car is ready and waiting at your destination so you don’t need to worry about who’s driving. Contact us to find out more about how we can help plan your trip.
