Visiting Sussex's Best Vineyards
Planning a visit this weekend? Jump to the open vineyards section to see which Sussex vineyards are open to walk-ins, with their opening times for the week.
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Overview
Sussex is the heartland of English wine. The chalk hills of the South Downs run the length of the county from the Kent border to Hampshire, sitting on the same geological belt as Champagne - which partly explains why sparkling wine from here has beaten Champagne in international blind tastings more than once. East and West Sussex have different personalities as wine regions: East Sussex is more varied, with everything from large-scale sparkling estates to tiny natural wine producers; West Sussex is where the heritage story is, home to some of the names that put English wine on the map. Both counties are well within day-trip range of London.
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East Sussex Vineyards
East Sussex has the widest range of wine styles of any English county. Rathfinny near Alfriston is the largest and most visited estate - 600 acres planted along the South Downs chalk, producing sparkling wines that have picked up a string of awards since the first vintage. The winery tour is one of the most thorough available at any English vineyard. The restaurant is open year-round with seasonal menus built around Sussex produce, and al fresco dining through the summer. If you want to stay over, the Flint Barns has 10 en-suite rooms and a self-catering cottage for four - dogs are welcome at both.
Tillingham near Peasmarsh is the other end of the spectrum - a 50-acre organic farm producing low-intervention wines that change with each vintage. The restaurant uses ingredients grown on the farm and the menu shifts with the seasons. It is a different kind of visit to anywhere else in Sussex.
For sparkling wine in a more traditional style, Ridgeview at Ditchling has been making classic-method wines since 1995 and sells them in around 30 countries. A summer restaurant opens on site from late June.
Davenport at Rotherfield is one of the longest-established organic vineyards in England, planted in 1991. The wines are consistently well-reviewed and the tours give a clear picture of how low-intervention farming works in practice.
Oastbrook near Robertsbridge sits in the Rother Valley, where a cluster of vineyards - Oastbrook, Tillingham, Sedlescombe and others - are close enough to visit across a weekend. The Rother Valley Wine Trail links several of them and is worth looking at if you are planning more than one stop. For summer 2026, a dedicated bus tour - the Rother Wine Triangle - now links all six: Oastbrook, Charles Palmer, Tillingham, Oxney, Sedlescombe and Mountfield. Departing from Robertsbridge or Rye, it includes four tastings at three vineyards (which rotate by date) and a light lunch. The clearest car-free route to this corner of East Sussex.
East Sussex has good public transport connections. Ridgeview is 15 minutes from Hassocks (Thameslink from London Bridge); Rathfinny is a short taxi from Eastbourne or Berwick. Several vineyards are within reach of Brighton.
The Rother Wine Triangle bus tour now provides a car-free route to six vineyards in the east of the county, departing from Robertsbridge or Rye.
West Sussex Vineyards
West Sussex is home to some of the most significant names in English wine. Nyetimber planted the first dedicated sparkling wine vines in England in 1988 - committing to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown specifically for traditional-method sparkling before anyone else had done it at scale. Their wines set the direction that most English sparkling producers have followed since. Tours at the estate near Pulborough book up quickly in summer; plan ahead.
Wiston Estate near Steyning is smaller and less well-known, but the wines have won significant critical attention. The setting at the foot of the South Downs is hard to beat.
Bolney Wine Estate near Haywards Heath has been producing wine since 1972, making it one of the oldest in England. Unlike most Sussex estates, Bolney makes a range of still wines alongside its sparkling - the Lychgate red is worth trying if you want to see what English red can do. The cafe and winery tours run most of the year without needing to book far ahead.
Tinwood Estate near Chichester has one of the best-presented visitor experiences in Sussex - a well-run tasting room, structured tours, and self-catering lodges if you want to stay overnight.
Kinsbrook near Haywards Heath is worth knowing about for the food: the restaurant has been listed in the Good Food Guide, which is rare for an English vineyard. Worth visiting for lunch as much as for the wine.
Stopham near Pulborough is one of very few English vineyards focused on aromatic still whites - Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Bacchus - rather than sparkling. A useful visit if you want to explore what English still wine can do.
Ashling Park near Chichester has a wine-bar atmosphere, a kitchen sourcing from local farms, and a regular Thursday steak night.
West Sussex is most easily reached by car. Chichester has direct trains from London Victoria (around 90 minutes), with several vineyards within 20-30 minutes' drive. Haywards Heath is well-served by Thameslink for vineyards on the East Sussex border. Book train tickets via Trainline.
Open Vineyards to Visit in Sussex
These are the vineyards scheduled to be open this weekend based on our most recent checks. Remember to check directly with the vineyard before heading out, or to book in advance where visits require a pre-booked tour or tasting. Find more information about opening times on the vineyard listing, or head to the map to search for vineyards open on a specific day or month.
22 of 49 vineyards below are open to walk-ins this weekend, Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November.
BN26 5TU
Open this weekend
TN36 4AG
Open this weekend
TN31 6XD
Open this weekend
TN32 5SA
Open this weekend
RH20 4BB
Open this weekend
PO18 0NE
Open this weekend
BN6 8TP
Open this weekend
RH17 5NB
Open this weekend
RH20 2LU
Open this weekend
PO18 9DJ
Open this weekend
BN6 8SA
Open this weekend
TN22 3RU
Open this weekend
TN21 0HG
This weekend: Fri and Sat
RH19 4LG
Open this weekend
RH13 6PG
Open this weekend
RH20 2HH
This weekend: Fri and Sat
TN31 6TU
This weekend: Fri and Sat
BN6 8XB
This weekend: Sat and Sun
RH17 5JB
Open this weekend
GU28 0RD
This weekend: Fri and Sat
TN3 9NR
Open this weekend
BN27 4EA
Open this weekend
TN32 5XA
Tours by booking
Tours run all year. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
RH17 7QS
Tours by booking
Thursdays to Saturdays; closed for harvest in September and October. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
Tours by booking
By appointment. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
BN6 8TH
Tours by booking
Tour dates: Sat 31 Oct. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
TN5 6PG
Tours by booking
Tours run all year. Tours and tastings here are booked in advance rather than drop-in.
TN3 9EQ
Closed this weekend
We expect the vineyard to reopen in May 2027.
RH20 2HH
No tours until June
Tours here run June to August. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
RH20 1EE
No tours until April
Tours here run April to September. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
TN6 3RG
Tours available
Tours are available here, but we don't have confirmed drop-in hours.
TN32 5JP
Tours available
Tours are available here, but we don't have confirmed drop-in hours.
No tours until May
Tours here run May to September. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
RH20 2HS
Check availability
Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
TN22 5LT
Tours not running
Tours here are not running at the moment. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
RH10 4NE
Tours available
Tours are available here, but we don't have confirmed drop-in hours.
Tours not running
Tours here are not running at the moment. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
TN6 3RU
No tours until May
Tours here run May to September. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
Tours not running
Tours here are not running at the moment. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
BN8 4JZ
No tours until July
Tours here run July to September. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
BN27 4RS
Tours not running
Tours here are not running at the moment. Booking is required, so check dates with the vineyard.
Upcoming vineyard events in Sussex
There are 16 events currently scheduled over the next two weeks in Sussex, including Murder Mystery at Leonardslee Wine Estate at Leonardslee Family Vineyards on 31 October, with tickets from £69, and Cellar Table with Louisa Mokadem at Sugrue South Downs on 13 November, with tickets from £175. Head to the Sussex events page to view and search all events.
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Planning Your Visit
Rother Wine Triangle Bus Tour: A newly launched wine bus (summer 2026) connects Oastbrook, Charles Palmer, Tillingham, Oxney, Sedlescombe and Mountfield Winery in the Rother Valley. Departs from Robertsbridge or Rye - the ticket includes four tastings at three vineyards and a light lunch. Book at rotherwinetriangle.securedirectbookings.com →
Most Sussex vineyards run tours and tastings between April and October, with some open year-round. Booking ahead is advisable for tours; walk-ins are often possible for tastings but it varies by estate. Summer weekends at the most popular places fill up weeks in advance.
If you are combining East and West Sussex in one trip, the A272 runs roughly east-west across the county and passes near several vineyards. Petworth and Midhurst make good stopping points.
For accommodation: Tinwood has self-catering lodges on the estate. Rathfinny has rooms and a cottage at Flint Barns. Several vineyards in the High Weald are a short drive from Rye or Battle if you want a full weekend.
What are the best vineyards in Sussex?
Sussex has an abundance of options that reward discovery, and the occasional trip off the beaten track, but these are some sure-fire winners. Vinebound would pick:
- For a tour and tasting: Wiston Estate. The Vintage version of its tour and tasting is an affordable way to try some of the estate's best wines.
- For lunch or dinner: there are so many options, but start with Tillingham, Kinsbrook, or Artelium. Our guide to the best vineyard restaurants in Sussex has plenty more.
- For visiting with children: Nutbourne or Kinsbrook.
- For organic wine and a commitment to sustainability: Oxney Organic Estate.
- For sensational views: Charles Palmer Vineyards can't be beaten, and the wine lives up to them.
- Also worth a mention: Oastbrook Estate. Its sparkling rosé was one of Vinebound's favourite wines of 2026, and in an industry with an abundance of charming and friendly personalities, winemaker and owner America Brewer stands out.
For the visitor experience, look at Charles Palmer Vineyards (5/5 on Google from 106 reviews) and Beacon Down Vineyard (5/5 on Google from 86 reviews). For the wine itself, the medal count favours Wiston Estate and Digby Fine English.
Book an experience
Buy the wine from vineyards featured in this guide
Stopham VineyardStopham Estate Pinot Gris 2023/24£24.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
NyetimberClassic Cuvée Brut£43.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
NyetimberCuvée Chérie Demi-Sec£43.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
NyetimberBrut Rosé£47.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
NyetimberClassic Cuvee NV Glassware Gift Set, Sussex£65.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
NyetimberClassic Cuvée Brut Magnum£90.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
Oastbrook EstateOastbrook White Pinot Meunier White Wine£23.00Buy at Laithwaites ↗
Oastbrook EstateOastbrook Pinot Gris White Wine£23.00Buy at Laithwaites ↗
Ridgeview Wine EstateRidgeview Bloomsbury NV£36.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
Ridgeview Wine EstateRidgeview Fitzrovia Rosé NV£40.00Buy at Majestic Wine ↗
Vinebound may earn a commission from purchases made via these links.
FAQ
Can you visit Sussex vineyards without a car?
East Sussex is the easier half. Ridgeview is a 15-minute taxi from Hassocks (Thameslink from London Bridge), and Rathfinny is a taxi from Eastbourne or Berwick. In the Rother Valley, the Rother Wine Triangle bus tour, launched in summer 2026, links Oastbrook, Charles Palmer, Tillingham, Oxney, Sedlescombe, and Mountfield from Robertsbridge or Rye, so check whether it is running before you plan around it. West Sussex is harder without a car, although Chichester has direct trains from London Victoria and several vineyards are within a 20 to 30 minute drive.
Can I visit Sussex vineyards as a day trip from London?
Yes. Chichester is around 90 minutes from London Victoria, with several vineyards a 20 to 30 minute drive away. Haywards Heath is well served by Thameslink for vineyards such as Bolney, and Hassocks is the stop for Ridgeview. Pick one or two vineyards and book tours ahead rather than trying to cover the county in a day.
Do I need to book a Sussex vineyard visit?
For tours, yes. Booking ahead is advisable, and summer weekends at the most popular places fill up weeks in advance. Walk-ins are often possible for tastings, but it varies by estate. Nyetimber releases tickets on limited dates each year, so book early. Most Sussex vineyards run tours and tastings between April and October, and some are open year-round.
Which Sussex vineyards allow dogs?
Several do, including Bolney, Tinwood, Wiston, Artelium, Kinsbrook, and Charles Palmer. Nyetimber and Oastbrook do not. Policies can differ between indoor and outdoor areas, so check before you go. Our guide to dog-friendly vineyards in Sussex has the full list.
Where can I stay at a Sussex vineyard?
Tinwood has self-catering lodges on the estate, and Rathfinny has en-suite rooms and a self-catering cottage at Flint Barns. Oxney also offers accommodation. Several vineyards in the High Weald are a short drive from Rye or Battle if you want a full weekend. See our guide to Sussex vineyards with accommodation.
Can I visit more than one Sussex vineyard in a day?
It works best where vineyards cluster. In the Rother Valley, Oastbrook, Charles Palmer, Tillingham, Oxney, Sedlescombe, and Mountfield are close enough to visit across a weekend, and the Rother Valley Wine Trail links several of them. Across the county, the A272 runs roughly east to west past several vineyards, with Petworth and Midhurst as good stopping points.
What is the difference between East and West Sussex wine?
Both counties produce predominantly sparkling wine from chalk soils. East Sussex has a wider range of styles, including natural and low-intervention producers. West Sussex tends towards classic sparkling and has the longer heritage.
When is the best time to visit Sussex vineyards?
Harvest, in September and October, is the most interesting from a winemaking perspective. Summer is the busiest for tours and events. Spring is quieter, and most vineyards are open from April.
