Clayhill Vineyard

When	Days	Hours
Year-round	Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon	10:00–16:00

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

What's the vibe?

Clayhill Vineyard offers a tranquil escape with stunning panoramic views of the River Crouch Estuary and its surrounding valley. Guests consistently praise the relaxing atmosphere and attentive, friendly service, making it an ideal spot to unwind among the vines.

Visitors are welcome to sample and purchase wines directly from the cafe. Bookable tours and tastings are available, so it is advisable to book these in advance.Cafe:
The on-site Coffee & Cake Café serves light lunches, coffee, and homemade cakes, with options like Cornish pasties and afternoon teas.

Special Events:
The vineyard hosts special events such as wine and cheese evenings.

Accessibility:
The vineyard is committed to accessibility, offering wheelchair access via a slope to the cafe entrance, ground floor seating, and wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Dogs & Children:
Dogs are heartily welcomed throughout the vineyard and in the cafe, with water bowls provided. Children are also welcome.

Clayhill Vineyard focuses on producing a range of distinctive English still wines, along with grape juices, apple juices, and liqueurs directly on site. Their sparkling wines are expertly crafted at the nearby New Hall Vineyard. The vineyard's plantings include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (Burgundy clones ideal for still wines), Auxerrois, and Bacchus, with a focus on quality grapes that thrive in the region's unique mesoclimate of mild winters and dry, warm summers. Earlier plantings also included Reichensteiner, reflecting the vineyard's evolution since the first vines went in around 2006.

The vines are grown on south-facing clay slopes running down towards the River Crouch - a soil type that retains moisture well and lends structure to the still wines produced on site. The family-run estate approaches viticulture with sustainability in mind, focusing on quality over volume.

Clayhill Vineyard produces award-winning wines, with their grapes contributing to highly successful wines in various competitions across the UK. Most recently, Clayhill Vineyard was named highly commended in the local food and drink category at the prestigious 2025 Countryside Alliance Awards.

The vineyard operates its own winery for still wine production, showcasing a commitment to crafting their unique wines from grape to bottle.

Clayhill Vineyard is located at Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6HF.

By Car
The vineyard is approximately 6 miles from South Woodham Ferrers on the B1010 towards Burnham on Crouch, situated just before the village of Althorne.

By Public Transport
The nearest railway station is Althorne, which is approximately 1 mile from the vineyard. This is roughly a 15-20 minute walk or a short taxi ride of about 3-5 minutes.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

• Other Vineyards:
  • Crouch Ridge Vineyard (approximately 0.74 miles away).
  • New Hall Vineyard (where Clayhill's sparkling wines are made).
• Notable Restaurants:
  • The Barge Inn, Battlesbridge: A historic, dog-friendly pub offering a tempting menu in a setting with great character.
  • Shelagh's Diner, Battlesbridge: An American-style diner offering homemade burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes.
• Notable Hotels:
  • Ye Olde White Harte Hotel, Burnham-on-Crouch: A historic 17th-century hotel located on the bank of the River Crouch, offering traditional charm and a restaurant.
  • The Red Lion Inn, Latchingdon: A traditional local pub offering comfortable accommodation in the nearby village.
• Notable Attractions:
  • RHS Garden Hyde Hall: A diverse garden showcasing various styles, from drought-resistant plants to a Global Growth Vegetable Garden.
  • Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome: The largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe, functioning as a military aviation museum.