Chapel Down

What's the vibe?

Set in the Kent countryside near Tenterden, Chapel Down is one of England’s most established and visitor-friendly wine destinations. It combines the feel of a working winery with a polished visitor centre, making it equally suited to casual drop-ins, dining, and more structured wine experiences.

Chapel Down is open to visitors daily, typically from 10am to 5pm.

Access: The Wine and Fine Food Store, grounds, herb garden, and restaurant are freely accessible. Visitors can explore the vineyard on a self-guided walk using maps available from the shop.

Tastings: Informal tastings are offered at the shop tasting bar, subject to availability. These are usually short, introductory tastings rather than full tutored experiences.

Guided Tours: Guided winery and vineyard tours with tutored tastings run most days and must be booked in advance. Tours typically last around two hours and are popular, particularly at weekends and during summer months, when booking several weeks ahead is advisable.

Dining: The on-site restaurant, The Swan at Chapel Down, serves modern British food and holds two AA Rosettes as well as a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The restaurant is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Events: A varied programme of seasonal events runs throughout the year, including wine-led experiences, wellness events, and cultural activities.

Accommodation: There is no accommodation on site, though a range of nearby hotels and inns are commonly used by visitors.

Family & Pet Friendly: Children are welcome on the estate and on tours, with age-based pricing. Dogs on leads are welcome in outdoor areas but are not permitted inside the shop, winery, or restaurant.

Chapel Down is one of England’s largest wine producers, with vineyards across Kent and the wider South East. The estate produces a broad range of sparkling and still wines, alongside spirits, with sparkling wine forming the core of its reputation. Traditional Method sparkling wines are made primarily from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with Bacchus playing a key role in their still wine range.

The winery has received consistent recognition at major international competitions over many years, particularly for its sparkling wines. Limited releases and flagship cuvées sit alongside more widely available bottlings intended for broader retail and hospitality markets.

Sustainability plays a significant role in vineyard and winery management. Chapel Down is part of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain scheme and applies practices including reduced herbicide use, soil health management, biodiversity initiatives, and reuse of winemaking by-products. A large, modern winery on site handles winemaking at scale, and visitors can see parts of the production process during tours.

By Car Chapel Down is easily reached by car and offers a large on-site car park with free parking.

By Public Transport The vineyard is around a 20-minute taxi journey from Headcorn station or approximately 35 minutes from Ashford International. Local bus services stop nearby, with connections to Tenterden town centre.

Notable Restaurants

The West House – A Michelin-starred restaurant in Biddenden, known for refined modern British cooking.

The Ferry Inn – A traditional village pub offering seasonal food and local ales.

Notable Hotels

The Print House – A well-regarded hotel in Tenterden often used by vineyard visitors.

London Beach Country Hotel – A country hotel and spa on the edge of Tenterden.

Notable Attractions

Kent & East Sussex Railway – A heritage steam railway running through the local countryside.

Smallhythe Place – A historic house and garden associated with actress Ellen Terry.