Beacon Down Vineyard

Onsite shop and cafe open Tuesday-Sunday year-round (closed Mondays) - walk-in, no appointment needed. Exact opening/closing times not published on site. Separately, guided vineyard tours run on ~13 specific booked dates through the season (mostly Saturdays), 4 days notice required for picnic add-ons.

Opening hours can change for private events — it's always worth checking the vineyard's website before you visit.

What's the vibe?

Beacon Down Vineyard is a small, family-run vineyard in East Sussex, set in a peaceful rural location and offering a relaxed, informal setting for discovering English wine.

Opening Season: Beacon Down Vineyard operates seasonally, with summer open afternoons running on selected Saturdays from July through August. Walk-ins are welcome during open afternoons; at other times, advance booking is recommended. Check the website for the latest schedule before visiting.



Tours & Tastings: Guided vineyard tours and tastings are available from £15 per person, bookable in advance via the vineyard website. Tours conclude with a tasting of current wines. Picnics using local produce can also be pre-booked alongside a tour - at least four days' notice is required.

Facilities: There is no permanent restaurant or café on site.

Special Events: The vineyard can host small private or corporate groups by prior arrangement.

Accommodation: Accommodation is available at Beacon Down Vineyard. Contact the vineyard directly for details and availability.

Children & Dogs: Children and dogs are welcome when visiting the vineyard, including on tours and during open afternoons.

Beacon Down Vineyard produces a range of still and sparkling English wines made from grapes grown on its own vineyard. Sparkling wines are produced alongside still wines, with a focus on expressing the character of the site and vintage.

Winemaking is carried out on a small scale, with the owners closely involved in vineyard management and wine production. The approach in both the vineyard and winery is hands-on and aims to minimise unnecessary intervention wherever possible.

Beacon Down Vineyard is located on Browns Lane, Cross in Hand, near Heathfield in East Sussex (TN21 0QJ).

By Car
Parking is available on site. Directions are provided on the vineyard’s website and should be followed carefully when approaching via local lanes.

By Public Transport
Public transport options are limited, and visitors are advised to plan ahead or use a taxi from nearby towns or stations.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

• Other Vineyards: Hidden Spring Vineyard is located nearby in East Sussex.
• Restaurants:
  • The Heathfield Tavern – Family-run pub in Heathfield.
  • The Star Inn – Historic inn in Old Heathfield.
• Hotels:
  • The Blackboys Inn – Country inn with rooms between Heathfield and Halland.
• Attractions:
  • Herstmonceux Castle – Historic castle and gardens.
  • Bateman’s – Former home of Rudyard Kipling.