Warden Abbey Vineyard

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

Find Us page explicitly states: "the vineyard is generally only open to visitors on our open days, public tour days, and group tours by appointment." A self-guided QR-code video tour exists but the same page frames all public access as open-day/tour-day only; Friends members get free Tues/Fri access but that is a paid membership perk, not general walk-in. All tours/events booked online with payment.

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

What's the vibe?

Warden Abbey Vineyard is a unique, community-run vineyard set within the historic grounds of a former Cistercian Abbey. Run entirely by passionate volunteers, it offers a welcoming and engaging experience, fostering a connection to both winemaking and local heritage.

Warden Abbey Vineyard is not regularly open to the public for casual visits.

• Tours: Guided vineyard tours run from May to September, covering the history of the site and finishing with a tasting of two wines. The experience lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours and costs from £16 per person. All visits must be pre-booked through the vineyard website. Group tours for 12–25 people are also available on selected Tuesdays and Fridays from late May to October, with private hire available for groups of 15 or more on other days and evenings.
• On-site facilities: There is no restaurant or café on site. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy among the vines, though picnics are not permitted immediately after tours have finished - they are best suited to Flying Day events and time between sessions.
• Events: The vineyard hosts a varied calendar of events throughout the year, including paella evenings, afternoon tea in the vineyard, Flying Day afternoon picnics (timed to coincide with air displays at the nearby Shuttleworth Aerodrome), pruning experiences, and occasional visits to partner wineries.
• Afternoon tea: The vineyard offers an afternoon tea event in the vineyard, featuring finger sandwiches, savoury items, desserts, cakes, and a scone with jam and cream.
• Accommodation: There is no accommodation directly on site.
• Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on vineyard tours.
• Children: Tours and tastings last up to two hours and are not considered suitable for young children.
• Accessibility: The vineyard sits on a gentle slope with uneven ground and may not be suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
• Parking: Free on-site parking is available for cars and minibuses. The site is not suitable for coaches.

Warden Abbey Vineyard produces award-winning still white wines and sparkling wines. The still whites are made from a blend of Reichensteiner, Müller-Thurgau, and Bacchus - varieties mostly planted when the vineyard was established in 1986 - while the sparkling wines are produced using the traditional method.

Their wines have received significant recognition. The 2015 Bacchus was awarded a Bronze medal at both the Decanter World Wine Awards and the UK Wine Awards in 2017, notably being served at a royal lunch for HM the Queen. More recently, their 2019 Sparkling Brut received a Bronze medal at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards and was selected as one of the top 100 UK wines at the 2023 Vineyard & Winery Show. The vineyard also won the CPRE Bedfordshire Living Countryside Awards 'Made in Bedfordshire' category in 2023. Wines are available to purchase at the end of tours, with cash, cheque, and card payments accepted, as well as through the online shop.

As a not-for-profit community project managed by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (Beds RCC), Warden Abbey Vineyard focuses on providing social, health, and educational benefits to the local community. While not explicitly organic or regenerative, its volunteer-led, community-focused approach contributes to a sustainable and historically sensitive operation.

Warden Abbey Vineyard is located in Old Warden, Bedfordshire, SG18 9DY.

By Car
The vineyard is situated between the villages of Old Warden and Cardington, with easy access from major roads like the A1 and M1. Parking is available on site.

By Public Transport
The nearest train stations are Biggleswade and Sandy. From Biggleswade station, the vineyard is approximately a 10-15 minute taxi ride. There is no practical walking route from the stations.

Book train tickets in advance via Trainline.

• Other Vineyards:
  • Danescroft Vineyard, Willington (approx. 10 miles north)
• Notable Restaurants:
  • The Hare & Hounds (Old Warden)
  • The Shuttleworth Restaurant (Old Warden)
• Notable Hotels:
  • The Garden Suite at Shuttleworth (Old Warden)
• Notable Attractions:
  • Shuttleworth Collection (Old Warden) - A world-renowned collection of historic aircraft and vehicles.
  • Swiss Garden (Old Warden) - An exquisite Regency-era garden offering tranquil walks.