Stay in Kent this Summer

#kentstaycay

If you enjoy Champagne, you’ve probably noticed that England is producing sparkling wine that can rival your favourite french tipple. Our burgeoning wine industry has come a long way in the last 30 years, when in the mid 90’s Nyetimber won a global sparkling wine trophy with their Kent grown fizz, yomping to victory over traditional Champagne. Now, Kent alone is home to 25% of UK wine producers, and Sussex isn’t far behind.

Wine producers are choosing the southeast of the UK to establish their vineyards because we have more sunshine hours and less rain than anywhere else. The good news is that many of these vineyards are open to the public, and offer incredible wine tasting and touring experiences in breathtaking scenery. An hour from London, there are plenty of vineyards that are eager to welcome you.

We’ve picked a few of our favourite vineyards and grouped them together with some choice accommodation to give you some ideas for your next visit to Kent.

West Kent

Squerryes Winery is the closest to London, just off junction 5 of M25. It’s the highest vineyard in Kent, and only produces the finest sparkling wines. Spend a day walking through the vines, eating in their excellent restaurant, shopping for local delicacies in their deli, and even popping in to Westerham Brewery next door. 

Yotes Court is home to the best view of a vineyard we’ve ever seen. It quietly sits just off the M26, and as you drive in, it will take your breath away. You’ll be happy to sit and sample their excellent still and sparkling wines, amongst friendly locals who flock here every weekend. It’s owned by a very successful racehorse owner, Susannah Ricci, and the range of wines is branded to match her jockey silks. 

If it’s just the two of you, this lovely house in Sutton Valence would be the perfect base. For a family or group of friends, Pond Cottage would be perfect. If you would prefer a hotel, we love Hotel du Vin in Tunbridge Wells - a lively and historic town to stay while you travel to vineyards only 30 minutes away. 

Mid Kent

Balfour Winery in Staplehurst is an easy choice. It’s open every day of the year, it has a wide variety of food and wine, they shuttle you to and from Marden Station, and the estate is beautiful. Many Londoners have discovered it as their weekend escape. 

Chapel Down is the largest UK wine producer with an extensive range of award winning still and sparkling wines. Their Kits Coty Chardonnay is reminiscent of a Pouilly Fusé. They are based in Tenterden and offer tours and tastings alongside their fine dining restaurant, The Swan.

Gusbourne is closest to the south coast near Rye, and benefits from refreshing sea breezes that keep their estate fruit healthy, allowing it to ripen perfectly. They produce some of the finest wines in the UK, and their hospitality matches this standard. Spend a day with them on an Estate Tour, which includes a perfectly paired three course lunch overlooking the vines, or the winery. Lanes End is a very well appointed home sleeping 10, just down the road.

Staying on the Kent coast will rank your staycation up to the next level, and Folkestone is the place to be. You’re only 20-30 minutes away from these vineyards, and you have the added bonus of the sea! Try these houses first. If you’d rather overlook Folkestone Harbour, we recommend the charming London & Paris Hotel. 

If you are hankering after that French holiday when you rocked up to rustic wineries, I have two more hidden gems for you. 

Biddenden Vineyard is the beating heart of the village with the same name, not far from Ashford. It’s the oldest vineyard in Kent, with vines dating back to 1969. At the time, it was an orchard farm and owner Joyce Barnes heard that vineyards were worth a punt on BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour. At the time, only German varieties would grow here, and the vineyard is now run by the family’s third generation, making the most deliciously approachable wines from these old vines. It’s relaxed, friendly and open to self guided tours around the vineyard, followed by wine tasting and local food. You can stay overnight at their Grape Escape, with a hot tub overlooking the vineyard. 

Westwell is a favourite with locals and visitors from London alike. It’s run by two music veterans who believe in low intervention winemaking. The winery and tasting room seem to merge into one, and the pizza and DJ nights are worth booking a hotel for. The winery is built on the Pilgrims Way near Ashford, and their signature wine is a classic cuvée called Pelegrim - don’t leave there without a bottle; it’s truly sublime. 

East Kent

Domaine Evremond is very interesting. This is jointly owned by the Taittinger family and a UK wine importer called Hatch Mansfield, who bring many household names including Taittinger and Villa Maria onto our shores. The land in Chilham near Canterbury was chosen, and now the first English Sparkling Wine from Taittinger has been introduced under the Domaine Evremond brand. You can visit their state of the art winery that’s built into the chalk landscape, and the wine is every bit as good as you’d expect. 

Simpsons Wine Estate is close to Canterbury - it would make an excellent addition to a weekend away in this beautiful city. It’s owned by a couple who have a very successful Chateau in the Languedoc, and they came home ten years ago to make wine here. They always intended to make fine sparkling wine, but the microclimate is so warm that they have also produced some excellent still wines, including one of England’s best Pinot Noirs. Simpsons welcome guests who book in advance. 

There are some breathtaking houses to stay in near our vineyards in East Kent - take a look at Rushbourne Granary or Water Farm House if you’re a big group.

If you’re inspired to research your local vineyards, visit winegardenofengland.co.uk for more information. Once you’ve got the bug, you might like to save some money and join the Members’ Club where you can visit nine of the leading Kent vineyards for free.