Fenny Castle Vineyard

This vineyard is open by appointment only. Contact them directly to arrange a visit.

Could not confirm the previously recorded daily 8am-5pm walk-in hours anywhere on the live site. What the site actually says: "if you are local you can drop into our cellar door shop... just call James... and we will have your order ready for collection" (informal, call-ahead), plus a Saturday stall at Wells market, and scheduled vineyard tours bookable for specific 2026 dates (£20pp). Treating as appointment/call-ahead rather than fixed public hours.

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

What's the vibe?

Fenny Castle is a small family vineyard in the village of Worth, near Wells, on slopes that look straight across the Somerset Levels to Glastonbury Tor. James and Gill Cumming planted their first Bacchus vines in 2011, and James, who trained at Plumpton College, makes the wine in their own small winery on the farm.

Visiting: Tours must be booked in advance. The classic tour lasts around 1.5 hours, takes in both vineyards and includes an informal talk on English wine production, followed by the chance to taste the wines and ciders. From £20 per person. Private tours are also available for groups of six or more, with options including a mezze light lunch served in the tasting garden, from £25 per person (tour only) or from £45 per person (with lunch). See tour dates and booking.

Events: The events programme includes cheese and wine tastings, sparkling wine masterclasses, a Christmas cellar door event and a harvest event. Members of the wine club receive a guaranteed place at the harvest. Check the events page for current dates.

Accommodation: The vineyard cottage is a thoughtfully converted cow barn sleeping two adults and one child. Inside you will find an open-plan living room and kitchen with an inglenook fireplace and wood burner, a double bedroom, a single bed and a luxury shower room with exposed elm beams and stonework throughout. From £350 for a three-night short break (low season). Details at fennycastlevineyard.co.uk/vineyard-cottage.

Gift shop / cellar door: Wines are available to buy by the glass, bottle or case from the cellar door shop, and the online shop carries the full range of award-winning wines and ciders.

Private hire: The vineyard hosts private tours and events among the vines, often under canvas canopies. Private groups require a minimum of six guests. Options include the Private Classic Vineyard Tour (minimum 8 people, from £25 per person) and the Private Classic Vineyard Tour with mezze light lunch (minimum 8 people, from £45 per person).

Children: The vineyard cottage sleeps a child alongside two adults, making it a practical base for a family stay.

Ortega is the signature still wine here: aromatic, often compared with Albariño, with melon and pear on the nose and apricot on the palate. There's also a delicate dry Bacchus with rose petal and elderflower notes, a dry Pinot Noir rosé, and sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir.

The Pinot Noir grows on the steep upper slope and the Ortega on the gentler ground below, on an unusual mix of tea green and red marl split by a seam of celestine. The geology is rare enough that the hill above the vines is the Ben Knowle Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Location: Fenny Castle Vineyard is situated in the village of Worth, close to Wells, on the edge of the Somerset Levels, Somerset.

By car: Wells is the most convenient nearby town. Please check the vineyard website for precise directions before travelling.

• Other Vineyards:
  • Woodchester Valley Vineyard: A multi-award-winning boutique vineyard and winery offering tours, tastings, and accommodation, located a short drive away.
• Notable Restaurants:
  • The Old Spot Inn: An award-winning traditional pub in Dursley, known for its local produce and cask ales.
  • The Brasserie at Calcot Manor: Located a short drive away, this restaurant offers modern European dining in a country house hotel setting.
• Notable Hotels:
  • Forthay Bed and Breakfast: A charming 17th-century Cotswold stone farmhouse in North Nibley, offering dog-friendly accommodation and an idyllic rural setting.
  • Woodchester Valley Vineyard Accommodation: Luxury guest rooms and a farmhouse available for stays directly on the vineyard.
• Notable Attractions:
  • Tyndale Monument: A striking 111-foot tower on the Cotswold escarpment, built in memory of William Tyndale, offering panoramic views after a climb.
  • Woodchester Park (National Trust): A tranquil, secluded valley featuring an unfinished Victorian mansion, a chain of five lakes, and extensive woodland walks.