YOUR DIY KENT WINE TOUR: WEEKENDING AND WINE.
While organised wine tours have their charm, sometimes, you just want to grab your walking boots (or jump on a bike!), call your favourite people, and forge your own path through the vines.
Thankfully, it’s very much possible to craft your own “DIY Kent Wine tour” and enjoy a weekend of wining, dining and exploring. Without the price tag of an expensive tour.
Kent, our glorious Garden of England, is absolutely bursting with fantastic vineyards, many of which are surprisingly accessible for a self-guided exploration. So, if you’re looking to create your own bespoke wine itinerary for a weekend (or even a long day trip!), you’ve come to the right place.
I’m here to map out some brilliant ways to “DIY” your Kent wine tour adventure!
Crafting Your Itinerary: Vineyard Clusters for Easy Exploration
The beauty of a DIY tour lies in grouping vineyards together to minimise travel time and maximise tasting time! Let’s be honest, if you want a weekend of sampling wine, you need more than one vineyard to visit.
Here are some excellent clusters to consider:
1. The Wealden Walkers’ Wander: Hush Heath & Herbert Hall
The Vineyards:
- Hush Heath Estate (Balfour Winery): A stunning 400-acre estate with beautiful vineyards, orchards, and ancient woodlands. They offer self-guided walking routes (grab a map from the Cellar Door!) as well as a variety of tours and tastings. Their “Winemakers’ Kitchen” also offers delicious food and a lovely setting. Read my full review of Balfour winery here. Or book a tour here.
- Herbert Hall Winery: Known for its highly acclaimed organic sparkling wines, Herbert Hall is a smaller, artisan producer with a strong focus on quality. They offer tours and tastings by appointment.
The Link-Up:
These two are very close, making a brisk walk (perhaps 30-45 mins through country lanes – check exact routes for pedestrian safety) or a very short pre-booked taxi ride very feasible. Imagine strolling from Hush Heath after a leisurely lunch, ready for more bubbles at Herbert Hall! This pairing is perfect for a leisurely afternoon, perhaps two tastings followed by dinner back at your hotel.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The George Hotel, Cranbrook: A charming, well-regarded hotel in a picturesque Kentish town, offering a good blend of comfort and local character.
- The Goudhurst Inn (part of the Balfour Winery brand): For those who want to sleep close by, this pub with rooms offers excellent food and is closely affiliated with Balfour Winery.
- Various charming B&Bs: Kent is dotted with lovely independent B&Bs around villages like Goudhurst, Cranbrook, and Staplehurst.
How to Get There from London:
The nearest main train station is Staplehurst (approx. 1 hour from London Charing Cross). Taxis will be required from the station to your accommodation and vineyards. Or, if you head to Marden station, you can get a free shuttle bus to/from Hush Heath.
2. The Tenterden Trio: Chapel Down, Gusbourne & Biddenden
The Vineyards:
- Chapel Down Winery: One of England’s largest and most famous wineries, offering a wide range of still and sparkling wines. They have a fantastic visitor centre, restaurant (The Swan), and offer regular tours and tastings.
- Gusbourne Estate: A producer renowned for its exceptional, often award-winning, sparkling wines, with a focus on quality and tradition. They offer various tours and tasting experiences, often requiring advance booking.
- Biddenden Vineyards: Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard, a true pioneer celebrating over 50 years of winemaking. They produce an excellent range of still, sparkling, and even cider and apple juice.
The Link-Up:
Chapel Down and Gusbourne are a short drive or taxi ride (15 minutes) or a pleasant cycle ride apart (45 minutes). You could also include Biddenden to make it a trio (you could drive the entire loop in 45 minutes). Consider renting e-bikes (some local companies offer vineyard routes) to enjoy the Kentish countryside between tastings.
Aim for a morning tour and tasting at one, then a casual lunch before heading to the next for an afternoon session. This cluster could easily fill a full day for two or three vineyards, perhaps focusing on two main tours and a quick cellar door visit at the third.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The Print House Inn, Tenterden: An AA 4-star rated gastropub with rooms, offering comfortable stays and good food right in Tenterden.
- Flackley Ash, Peasmarsh: For a more luxurious stay with amenities like a spa, this hotel near Tenterden could be a relaxing hub.
- The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne (near Gusbourne): A beautiful, traditional pub with rooms offering a comfortable stay and excellent food, ideally located if you plan to focus on Gusbourne and Chapel Down.
You can find more detailed recommendations for hotels near Chapel Down here.
How to Get There from London
The nearest main train station is Ashford. Taxis are essential to the vineyards and your accommodation (unless of course you have a designated driver or an ebike!)
3. The Canterbury Collection: Simpsons, Woolton Farm & Chartham
The Vineyards:
- Simpsons Wine Estate: Located in Barham, near Canterbury, Simpsons is celebrated for its precise and elegant still and sparkling wines. They offer tours and tastings in a beautiful, modern setting.
- Woolton Farm: Situated just outside Canterbury, Woolton Farm produces both wine and cider, offering a charming, rustic experience. They have a taproom and often host events.
- Chartham Vineyard: A smaller, family-run vineyard near Canterbury focusing on sparkling and still wines, offering a more intimate tasting experience (check their opening times as they can be seasonal).
The Link-Up:
From Canterbury city centre, Simpsons Wine Estate, Woolton Farm, and Chartham Vineyard are all accessible by a relatively short taxi ride (around 15-25 minutes). You could comfortably visit two of these in a day, perhaps a tour and tasting at Simpsons in the morning, followed by a more relaxed tasting and cider at Woolton Farm in the afternoon.
Chartham is the outlier, but Simpsons and Woolton Farm are pretty close to one another – you could definitely cycle if you wanted a real adventure!
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The Pig at Bridge Place: I feel like the “Pig” brand speaks for itself, or should I say oinks. If you want to really go all bells and whistles (perhaps it’s an anniversary or a celebration), why not book into the Pig? It’s particularly close to Simpsons and Woolton Farm too.
- The Falstaff Hotel, Canterbury: A historic and characterful hotel close to the cathedral, offering a quintessential Canterbury experience.
- Woolton Farm: Total curveball – you can actually STAY at this vineyard on their campsite. They offer glamping options or you can pitch your own tent. This would be my pick for a cheap stay!
How to Get There from London:
Canterbury West (approx. 1 hour from London St Pancras International via HS1) or Canterbury East (approx. 1 hour 45 mins from London Victoria). Taxis are easily available from the city to the vineyards. If you want to visit the Chartham Vineyard first, you can go to Chartham station (it’s just next-door!)
4. The North Kent Trail: The Mount & Squerryes
The Vineyards:
- The Mount Vineyard (Shoreham, near Sevenoaks): Just a 10-minute walk from Shoreham (Kent) train station, The Mount is a lovely vineyard with a relaxed vibe, offering tastings and events. You can also do a lovely hike around Shoreham and Otford which takes in the Mount.
- Squerryes Winery (Westerham): A stunning estate just outside Westerham, Squerryes is known for its elegant sparkling wines and a beautiful setting. They have a fantastic restaurant and offer tours and tastings. And, last year opened a more informal tasting and small plates space.
The Link-Up:
The Mount is uniquely accessible by foot from a train station, making it perfect for a relaxed start. Squerryes is a short taxi ride away. You could dedicate a half-day to The Mount, perhaps enjoying their food offerings, and then head to Squerryes for an afternoon tour and tasting.
Where to Stay Nearby:
- The George & Dragon, Westerham: A historic inn with rooms, offering a charming base right in Westerham, close to Squerryes.
How to Get There from London:
- For The Mount: Shoreham (Kent) train station (approx. 40 mins from London Victoria or Blackfriars).
- For Squerryes: Oxted or Hurst Green (approx. 40-50 mins from London Victoria or London Bridge) then a taxi.
5. The West Kent Medley: Mereworth & Yotes Court
The Vineyards:
- Mereworth Wines (Mereworth): A dynamic producer focusing on high-quality sparkling wines. They offer tours and tastings by appointment and are accessible by taxi from nearby train stations.
- Yotes Court Vineyard (West Peckham): A relatively new but already highly regarded vineyard known for its sustainable practices and excellent still and sparkling wines. They offer tours and tastings and are increasingly hosting events.
The Link-Up:
These two vineyards are located in the central Kent region and are best visited by taxi or car. They offer distinct styles of English wine, making for a fascinating contrast in a single day’s itinerary.
Where to Stay Nearby
- The Farm House (West Malling): A cosy pub with rooms in this small market town.
How to Get There from London:
The nearest main train station is West Malling (approx. 1 hour from London Victoria). Taxis will be required from the station to your accommodation and to the vineyards.
Beyond the Tasting Room: Unique Wine Experiences
Many Kent vineyards are stepping up their game with unique events that make a wine tour even more memorable:
Wine Brunches/Lunches: Places like Balfour Winery (Hush Heath) and Mereworth Wines offer delicious seasonal lunches with platters or brunches designed to pair with their wines. Chapel Down’s The Swan restaurant and Squerryes’ Restaurant are both excellent culinary destinations within the vineyards.
Vineyard Picnics: Keep an eye out for vineyards offering pre-booked picnic hampers to enjoy amongst the vines. Yotes Court is known for their beautiful picnic spots and events.
Harvest Experiences: If you visit in late September/October, some vineyards (like Yotes Court) offer “Harvest Experiences” where you can get hands-on and learn about grape picking. Book these well in advance!
Walking Tours: Many vineyards, including Hush Heath, offer self-guided walks through their estates, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
Tips for Your DIY Tour:
- Book Ahead: Always, always book tours and tastings in advance, especially on weekends and for special events. English vineyards can get very busy!
- Designated Driver/Taxi Plan: If you’re tasting, ensure you have a designated driver, pre-booked taxis, or utilise public transport where possible. Local taxi numbers are vital.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes for walking through vineyards, which can be uneven or muddy.
- Weather: English weather is famously unpredictable. Pack layers, waterproofs, and perhaps an umbrella, even in summer.
- Snacks & Water: Stay hydrated between tastings, and a few snacks can help too.
- Buy Direct: Many vineyards offer cellar door sales, and buying directly from them is a fantastic way to support local producers and often get access to special releases.
A DIY wine tour in Kent offers immense flexibility and the chance to discover some truly fantastic English wines at your own pace. So, choose your clusters, decide on your base, and get ready to sip your way through the beautiful Garden of England!
Where to next?
A few of my favourite things
Looking for a gift for yourself or a wine lover in your life? Here are a few of my favourite English Wine things.
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