Itineraries with great ideas and offers to help you plan your weekend in Kent this Winter
Marden & Tenterden
Marden Station on the Charing Cross - Dover line, is just 7 minutes away from Balfour Winery. At weekends, Balfour supplies a free shuttle service to and from the station.
Saturday
There is a wealth of choice once you get to Balfour. You don’t need to book anything; you could simply turn up, take a self guided walk through the vines and finish up in the restaurant for either a local platter or a la carte in the Wine Makers Kitchen. Or you can book a tour and tasting where you will be expertly guided through the estate, learn about the process of wine making, finishing with a comprehensive tasting though some of the Balfour range.
Stay
The Woolpack in Tenterden is a cosy pub with charming rooms, right in the heart of the town. Tenterden is the quintessential Kentish country town, with a wealth of independent shops and restaurants. You’ll be happy to while away a few hours here before your next vineyard visit.
Balfour customers can get 20% off their booking using WGE24. www.thewoolly.com
Sunday
England’s largest wine producer, Chapel Down has its home just outside Tenterden, a short taxi ride away. A beautiful vineyard with some of the country’s oldest vines, an excellent restaurant and well stocked shop should keep you busy. If you want to take a deep dive into the vines, the winery and wines, book a tour and tasting for £30pp, starting at 10:30am. Then lunch at The Swan, followed by a browse around the shop before hopping back in a taxi to Headcorn or Ashford Stations.
For lunch bookings, visit www.swanchapeldown.co.uk
For tour bookings www.chapeldown.com
The Coast
For an unforgettable couple of days at one of the UK’s finest vineyards and coastal hotels, take a look at Gusbourne in Appledore, and The Gallivant hotel at Camber Sands. The high speed train from St Pancras to Ashford is just 25 minutes, and all transfers are taken care of.
From £1,045 per couple
On arrival, Light lunch at The Gallivant
Private transfer to Gusbourne Estate (15 minutes)
Privately hosted Gusbourne Wine Estate visit (approx 3 hours) - including access all areas tour of winery, vineyards, tank and barrel tasting*, tutored tastings of limited edition and rare library wines
Back at The Gallivant, English Wine at Five
Dinner with English wine pairing
Overnight in a beautiful bedroom
House breakfast the following morning
Yoga class
Available Wednesday- Friday
Book at www.thegallivant.co.uk and use code GXG-UEWE
Biddenden
A charming village with Kent’s oldest vineyard, and many other places of interest for a lovely weekend away. By train, it’s 10 minutes taxi from Headcorn Station. If you drive, you can stay at the vineyard overnight!
Saturday
Sissinghurst Castle and Garden is a magical place to visit for Autumnal walks and a peek at local history. Drop by on your way to Biddenden. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
After that, head to The Bakehouse in Biddenden for a cosy bite to eat.
Stay
Biddenden Vineyard is a family run, working vineyard with a huge selection of wines and ciders made on site. It is set amongst acres of vines, and has a romantic hideaway called The Grape Escape overlooking the estate. Mention Wine Garden of England at booking and you’ll receive a welcome bottle of wine when you arrive. This is a self catered stay, and you can stock up on treats at their festive shop. The nearby Three Chimneys pub is an excellent choice for dinner or Sunday lunch. www.thethreechimneys.co.uk
Westerham
Within easy access from London, Westerham is a charming town close to the M25 with independent shops, restaurants and cafes, plus plenty of walks and places of interest.
Saturday Morning
Start your weekend bright and early at the Squerryes Park run and enjoy a coffee and pastry afterwards from the Vineyard Café. Chartwell, once the home of Winston Churchill, is a perfectly preserved National Trust property that is also well worth a visit.
Saturday Afternoon and Evening
Book a Squerryes Estate Tasting Experience at 3pm, where you'll learn about the process of making a traditional method wine, the importance of time and patience, and identify the nuances and characteristics of three of their vintage sparkling wines. Each wine will be paired with a bouchée from the Tasting Bar menu, which has been designed with their wines in mind. Relax in the Bar while you wait for your table at the Winery Restaurant where you can dine from the à la carte menu and receive a 10% discount off your bill.
Stay
The George & Dragon in Westerham is a 16th Century coaching inn offering 10% off their room rate if you mention you’re visiting Squerryes. It’s a 25 minute walk so you can leave the car behind, take a stroll to build up an appetite and enjoy the wine.
Sunday Morning
Head back to Squerryes where you can enjoy a stroll around the vineyard and a mooch around their wonderful Estate Deli, which stocks local produce, and of course a wide selection of Kent wines, including the entire Squerryes range. Now’s a perfect time to stock up before heading for lunch.
Sunday Lunch
Complete your weekend with a Squerryes Sunday roast, famous for their large, fluffy Yorkshire puddings and crispy roast potatoes. All meat comes from the estate and there's a fish and vegetarian option too. Certainly one not to miss.
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