Bardfield Vineyard

An Essex vineyard, where you can raise a glass to kings and conquerors on grounds recorded in the Domesday Book.

https://www.greatlodge.co.uk

Great Lodge, Great Bardfield, Braintree, Essex, CM7 4QD. Get directions

Nearest station: Braintree (8.0 miles).

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Restaurant or café

Dog friendly

Child friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Disabled access

Award-winning

Hosts weddings

Organic or sustainable

Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

Bardfield Vineyard, nestled within the historic Great Lodge Estate, offers a tranquil escape in rural North Essex. It's a family-run establishment where visitors can experience a blend of agricultural heritage and English winemaking, surrounded by charming walled gardens and friendly alpacas.

Visiting information

Opening Hours: The vineyard shop is open weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00 year-round.Tours & Tastings:

Self-guided trails: Available weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00. Pick up a map from the shop; the £3 ticket price can be redeemed against purchases. No pre-booking needed.
Guided tours: Available mid-week between May and September. These personal tours, which include a tasting of four wines, take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Specific dates (e.g., first Thursday of the month) are listed, and advance booking is required. Group visits can also be arranged by appointment.
Wine Tasting: You can taste wines in the shop before purchasing.

Food & Drink: While there is no public restaurant or cafe, group tours by appointment can include a ploughman's lunch or afternoon tea. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy in the gardens or vineyard.
Special Events: The magnificent Grade I listed Anne of Cleves Barn on the estate is a popular wedding venue. The vineyard also holds occasional open day events during the summer, featuring BBQs and live music.
Accommodation: Stylish B&B or self-catering accommodation is available in newly converted barns on the estate, sleeping up to 16 guests. Camping is also permitted at no extra charge.
Children & Dogs: Bardfield Vineyard welcomes families, with children under 16 admitted free for self-guided trails. The estate is dog-friendly, allowing furry companions to join in the exploration.

The Wine

Bardfield Vineyard cultivates grapes that are transformed into four distinct wines. These include still white wines such as the crisp Bacchus, a dry white known as Bardfield Bacchus, and the medium-dry white Anne of Cleves. For rosé enthusiasts, the Bardfield Blush is produced predominantly from Pinot Noir grapes. Additionally, they craft a dry white Sparkling Brut using the traditional champagne method, from a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Seyval Blanc grapes.

The grapes are harvested by hand at the end of September. It is important to note that the wine is made at nearby New Hall Vineyards.

Bardfield Vineyard has a history of producing award-winning wines. In 1998, the Bardfield Dry 1996 vintage received the prestigious East Anglian Wine of the Year Award. More recently, in 2014, the Bardfield Bacchus 2013 and Anne of Cleves Bacchus 2013 were awarded silver medals by the East Anglian Vineyard Association.

The vineyard practices environmental responsibility by managing the vines with a "minimum input of sprays to protect the environment."

Getting here

By Car: Great Lodge, Braintree Road, Great Bardfield, Essex CM7 4QD.

By Public Transport: The nearest train station is Braintree, located approximately 8 miles away. From Braintree, a taxi ride to the vineyard takes about 13 minutes. Public bus routes (16 and 417) serve Great Bardfield, with the nearest stop, "The Vine," being a 1-minute walk from the village. The 417 bus connects to Braintree. Additionally, the DigiGo shared public transport service operates in parts of Essex, offering on-demand or pre-bookable travel.

What's nearby

Other Vineyards:
- Crouch Ridge Vineyard: Located in the Crouch Valley, offering tours, tastings, and a wine barn with views.
- Saffron Grange Vineyard: A family-run vineyard near Saffron Walden, known for its premium sparkling wines.
Notable Restaurants:
- The Vine Eno Gastro Pub: Situated within Great Bardfield itself, offering extreme proximity.
- The Fox Inn: A short drive at 1.5 miles from Great Bardfield.
Notable Hotels:
- The White Hart Hotel, Braintree: A welcoming hotel in the nearby town of Braintree, offering comfortable stays and convenient access to local attractions.
Notable Attractions:
- Hedingham Castle: A well-preserved Norman keep dating back to 1090, offering a glimpse into medieval history.
- Great Bardfield Cottage Museum: Provides insight into rural life and crafts, located within the village.