Bantham Vineyard

Opening hours vary - check the vineyard's website before visiting, as they can close for private events or change seasonally.

What's the vibe?

Nestled within the vast Bantham Estate, Bantham Vineyard offers breathtaking views across the Avon Estuary and the iconic Burgh Island. It provides an exclusive and serene experience, deeply rooted in the natural beauty of the South Devon landscape.

Public Access: Bantham Estate is generally not open to the public for day-to-day visits. However, they do host occasional special events and free estate tours during the summer months (June to August). Private tours and tastings can also be arranged by appointment. Keep an eye on their social media for event announcements.

Tours & Tastings: The Making Waves vineyard and estate tours include tastings and are bookable in advance, with early-bird tickets from £170 per person, rising to £195 thereafter. Booking is required - visit the vineyard website for availability.

Accommodation: The Bantham Holiday Cottages provide self-catering accommodation with views across Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island - a step up from the single large holiday home previously listed.

Food & Drink: While there isn't a dedicated public restaurant, vintage food trucks, including the GastroxBosko bus and Treats van, operate in the car park during seasonal periods, offering breakfast, lunch, coffee, ice cream, and drinks. The Horsebox Bar is open in summer. The highly-regarded Sloop Inn, known for its cuisine, is a short walk from Bantham beach, with bookings essential. See the food and drink page for current details.

Shop: A small shop near the top of the village stocks estate produce and has an outside seating area.

Private Hire: The estate is available for private events including photo shoots, filming, yoga sessions, arts activities and social gatherings. All private bookings must be arranged in advance - contact the estate for availability.

Accessibility: Two blue badge parking spaces are available close to the beach facilities, and a beach wheelchair is provided free of charge. Dogs are welcome across the wider estate; seasonal restrictions apply on the main beach from 1 May to 30 September.

Bantham Vineyard, planted in May 2021, cultivates classic grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir Précoce, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. The vines grow on south-facing slopes high above Bantham Beach, with panoramic views across the Avon Estuary and Burgh Island - one of the most dramatic settings of any English vineyard. The estate covers 728 acres within the South Devon National Landscape (formerly the South Devon AONB).

The estate produces English still white and rosé wines alongside a vermouth-based Rosé Spritz. The farmland is managed sustainably and much of it is organic, with cover cropping trials undertaken to support biodiversity. While the grapes are grown on the estate, winemaking is carried out in partnership with Itasca Winery.

The wines have attracted early recognition. The 2023 Pinot Gris won Gold at the 2025 Taste of the West Awards and Silver at the 2024 WineGB Awards. The Rosé Spritz took Silver at the 2025 Taste of the West Awards, and the 2024 Pinot Gris received Bronze at the 2025 WineGB Awards.

The estate itself has an extraordinary depth of history. Bantham has been inhabited since Neolithic times, with evidence of Bronze Age settlement and a Roman and post-Roman trading port at Bantham Ham - a site recognised as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic England. The Sloop Inn, a short walk from the beach, dates to the 14th century, and the estate includes nine Grade II listed cottages from the 17th century. Bantham has always been a private estate, managed today with the same careful stewardship that has shaped it over centuries.

Bantham Vineyard is located near Kingsbridge, South Devon.

By Car
Bantham is easily accessible from Salcombe and Kingsbridge. From the A381 (Aveton Gifford to Totnes road), follow signs to Bantham. From the A379 (Churchstow to Aveton Gifford road), take the Bantham exit at the roundabout. Paid parking is available at Bantham beach car park, with charges varying throughout the year. Two blue badge spaces are located close to the beach facilities.

By Public Transport
The nearest mainline train station is Totnes. From Totnes, a bus to Kingsbridge takes approximately 28–37 minutes. There is no direct bus service onward from Kingsbridge to Bantham; a taxi for the final 10–15 minutes is the most practical option.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

Discover more of South Devon's charm around Bantham Vineyard:

Notable Restaurants:
The Crabshell Inn (Kingsbridge) - A vibrant waterside bar and restaurant, known for its good quality food and lively atmosphere, especially popular for outdoor dining overlooking the Kingsbridge estuary.

The Sloop Inn (Bantham) - Steeped in tradition, this inn is a short walk from Bantham beach and has an excellent reputation for cuisine, making bookings essential.

Notable Hotels:
Burgh Island Hotel (Bigbury-on-Sea) - A famous Art Deco hotel located on a tidal island, renowned for its luxurious, historic charm and unique access via a sea tractor at high tide.

Thurlestone Hotel (Thurlestone) - A luxury hotel with a spa, offering sea views and excellent facilities, ideally situated near Kingsbridge and Salcombe for coastal breaks.

Notable Attractions:
Burgh Island - Accessible by foot at low tide or via a unique sea tractor, this iconic tidal island features an Art Deco hotel and has inspired famous writers like Agatha Christie.

Bantham Beach - A premier South Devon beach, popular for surfing, family activities, and exploring sand dunes and rock pools, with stunning views across Bigbury Bay.