Best UK Vineyards for Self Guided Tours

Not every vineyard visit has to follow a guide. Some estates open their trails for self-guided walks, letting you explore with a map in hand and set your own pace. Often the path ends with a glass in the tasting room or a picnic among the vines - the kind of visit where the rhythm is entirely your own.

Best UK Vineyards for Self Guided Tours

Albury Organic Vineyard

Pack a picnic, as Albury Organic Vineyard encourages bringing your own food, though note that vineyard tables and chairs are reserved for tour and tasting groups, so a picnic rug or fold-up chair is recommended. You can purchase a bottle of wine or other drinks, including soft drinks, from the cellar door to enjoy with your picnic. The self-guided tour itself is free.

The vineyard is family-friendly, welcoming children who can explore and enjoy a wildlife trail, bug hotel, and spotting local wildlife. While children are welcome on the self-guided tour, they are not permitted on guided tours or wine tasting experiences. Well-behaved dogs on leads are also welcome in all outdoor areas, including the self-guided tour path and during outdoor wine tastings.

After your self-guided tour, you can relax in the tasting room or on the picturesque patio, enjoying a glass of wine or a cheese and charcuterie board. The vineyard is open seasonally, primarily on weekends.

Sandridge Barton 'Home of Sharpham Wine'

Sandridge Barton, 'Home of Sharpham Wine', offers self-guided vineyard experiences and tastings. Explore their walking trail, approximately 1.5km long, to the new 'Stonyfield' vineyard, complete with information boards and brass rubbing posts for children. This walk, taking 30-45 minutes, may include steep and muddy sections, so suitable footwear is recommended.

Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome across the estate, including on the walking trails. Children are also welcome

Hanwell Wine Estate

Pack a picnic or pre-order a sparkling vineyard picnic to enjoy on the terrace or within the vineyard. Only food and drink purchased on the premises may be consumed on the estate. You can also purchase a bottle of wine from the cellar door to take home or enjoy by the glass.

The self-guided tour involves following a vineyard trail using a map highlighting points of interest and tasting notes for six wines, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The trail is approximately 1 km and takes about 30 minutes for a leisurely stroll.

Hanwell Wine Estate is family and dog-friendly. Well-behaved dogs are welcome everywhere, including indoors at the Tasting Room Café Bar, on the terrace, and can join vineyard tours and wine tastings. A dog water bowl is available. Children are also welcome.

After your tour, the Hanwell Tasting Room Café Bar is available, offering coffee, cake, light lunches, and wine by the glass. It's open from May to September, generally on Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4 pm, sometimes later.

Nutbourne Vineyards

Explore Nutbourne Vineyards at your own pace along the self-guided vineyard trail, picking up an illustrated map from the veranda shop. The trail features information signs, a vine quiz, diverse wildflowers, an ancient oak sculpture, and alpacas.

Pack a picnic blanket and choose from delicious homemade picnics and platters, crafted with seasonal Sussex produce, available for purchase from the cellar door. Enjoy these with a bottle of Nutbourne wine, either on a platform offering breathtaking views of the South Downs or among the vines

Painshill Park

Painshill Park offers self-guided tours through its 18th-century landscape garden, a "living painting" designed by Charles Hamilton. The park encourages visitors to utilize their website for information to enhance their exploration.

Pack a picnic and spread your blanket in one of the many peaceful spots, though dining inside the follies is not permitted. While you can't bring your own wine from home, Painshill has its own small vineyard producing sparkling white and rosé wines, available for purchase in the gift shop when stock allows.

Children are welcome, with free entry for those under 5 years old, and there's a natural play area. Dogs are also very welcome, provided they are kept on a short, fixed lead at all times. Dog waste bins are conveniently located throughout the landscape.

After exploring the 158-acre estate, visitors can find refreshments at Mr. Hamilton's Tea Room, which serves hot and cold lunches and treats. During summer and some school holidays, the Gothic Tower Summer Café offers drinks, cakes, and snacks. There's also a Horsebox Café located by Woollett Bridge seasonally. The gift shop offers a selection of items, including Painshill's own wine.

More Self Guided Tours

Wiston Estate – West Sussex

Pack a picnic to enjoy on the estate grounds, and grab a bottle of wine from the Cellar Door for your self-guided vineyard exploration. Families are welcome for walks and picnics on the estate, but children under 18 are not permitted on winery tours or events serving alcohol. Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in the courtyard and on public footpaths, and are welcome on the specific Vineyard Explorer Tour & Lunch, but not indoors at the restaurant or on standard winery tours. After your tour, dine at Chalk Restaurant, which offers A La Carte Lunch and weekend dinners, or grab takeaway drinks and toasties from Chalk Express. The Cellar Door also provides "at the counter" tastings.

Stonyfield Wine At Painters Vineyard – West Northamptonshire

Visit this unique Northamptonshire vineyard to sample English sparkling wines acclaimed with the Dudley Quirk Trophy for Best Sparkling Blend 2021 from WineGB, nurtured by the distinctive ironstone-rich spoil from the historic Blisworth Tunnel.

Laurel Vines, Vineyard & Winery – East Riding of Yorkshire

Follow in the footsteps of the Hair BIkers who graced this East Yorkshire vineyard to prune vines and cook.

VINEBOUND

Best UK Vineyards for Self Guided Tours