Hungerhill Vineyard

Images kindly provided by Hungerhill Vineyard

What's the vibe

Hungerhill feels personal and winemaker-led. This is a compact, family-owned vineyard where visits are centred on learning how the wines are made, often directly from the person responsible for them. The atmosphere is informal but purposeful, with an emphasis on understanding the vineyard and winery rather than lingering over a casual glass.

Hungerhill is not a drop-in venue. All visits are by pre-booking only, and tastings take place as part of organised experiences rather than open-ended visits.

Vineyard Tours & Wine Tastings:

• Guided vineyard and winery tours explaining the winemaking process from vine to bottle
• Wine tastings featuring a selection of Hungerhill wines, typically accompanied by cheeses and charcuterie
• Both summer vineyard tours and winter wine tasting experiences are offered, depending on the season

On site:

• There is no restaurant or café, but tastings include small food pairings
• Opportunities to take part in the grape harvest are occasionally offered
• The vineyard runs The Merstone Club, a membership-style offering for people who want to follow the wines more closely

Accessibility:

• No on-site accommodation is available
• Policies on children and dogs vary by experience, so it’s best to check directly when booking

Hungerhill Vineyard was established in 2020 and produces both still and sparkling wines from its four-hectare site in Bedfordshire. An on-site winery allows the team to manage production end to end, keeping volumes small and decisions closely controlled.

Grape varieties grown include Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, with wines released under the Hungerhill and Merstone names. Several wines have picked up recognition at regional and national English wine competitions, reflecting a solid early track record rather than large-scale production.

Winemaking follows a largely traditional, low-intervention approach, with an emphasis on working carefully with the fruit and maintaining a balance between vineyard health and wine quality.

By car

Hungerhill Vineyard is located at Beancroft Road, Bedford, MK43 0QF, on the edge of Marston Moretaine. Arriving by car is the most straightforward option.

By public transport

The nearest station is Millbrook, on the Marston Vale Line. From the station, the vineyard is around a mile away, with a short taxi ride usually the easiest option depending on timing and mobility.

There’s plenty nearby to turn a visit to Hungerhill into a wider day out, including countryside walks, village pubs, and well-known attractions around Marston Moretaine and Woburn.

Restaurants

• Moreteyne Manor – A more formal dining option in a historic setting.
• The Bell Inn, Marston Moretaine – A traditional village pub for something straightforward.

Hotels

• Travelodge Bedford Marston Moretaine – A convenient budget option close to the vineyard.
• The Woburn – A more characterful stay in the historic village of Woburn.

Attractions

• Forest of Marston Vale & Millennium Country Park – Walking routes, lakes, and open space close to the village.
• Woburn Safari Park – A major regional attraction a short drive away.

Hungerhill’s defining feature is its scale. With a relatively young vineyard and an in-house winery, decisions are made quickly and pragmatically, with the owner closely involved in both vineyard work and winemaking. That setup allows for experimentation in small volumes without the pressure of large releases.

The Merstone label sits alongside Hungerhill’s main wines, giving space for individual cuvées and club-focused releases. Combined with seasonal experiences and occasional harvest involvement, it reflects a vineyard that’s still evolving but doing so deliberately rather than rushing to expand.