Wyken Vineyards

Restaurant & Café: Wyken Vineyards is home to the renowned Leaping Hare Restaurant, housed in a beautifully converted 400-year-old barn, serving modern European dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Reservations are highly recommended for the restaurant, while a more casual café menu and an alfresco pizza café are also available without pre-booking.

Opening Hours: The restaurant and café are typically open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am (9am on Saturdays) to 5pm, with dinner service on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Vineyard Tours: Guided vineyard tours are offered, lasting approximately two hours and including a tasting of their wines. Pre-booking is required for tours, which cost £25 per person. Special "Twilight Tours" are also available, offering an evening experience.

Events: A popular Farmers' Market takes place on site every Saturday morning, from 9am to 1pm.

Accessibility: Children are welcome, and high chairs are available. Dogs are not permitted inside the restaurant but are allowed on the terrace where the café menu is served, or in the café at the discretion of staff.

Note: For the most up-to-date specific opening times and tour availability, it is advisable to check the Wyken Vineyards website directly.

Wyken Vineyards, established in 1988, cultivates seven acres of south-facing slopes, thriving on sandy loam over chalk soils to produce an average of 12,000 bottles annually. They are known for their traditional method sparkling wine, Wyken Moonshine, and a range of still wines including Wyken Bacchus, Madeline Angevine, and Wyken Pink (rosé). The vineyard also produces its own Wyken Gin and Good Dog Ale.

Their wines have received notable recognition; Wyken Moonshine was named "East Anglian Wine of the Year" in 2017, and Wyken Bacchus has won both "East Anglian Wine of the Year" and "English Wine of the Year" accolades.

Wyken Vineyards demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability. Much of the meat served in their restaurant, such as venison, hogget, pork, and game, is reared on the estate, and vegetables and herbs are harvested from their kitchen garden. The estate primarily uses solar panels for electricity and firewood from rotational coppice for heating. The Leaping Hare Restaurant has earned a 5-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association and has received the Michelin Green Initiative Award for the past two years, highlighting its dedication to eco-friendly practices. The vineyard has its own winery on-site, contributing to the "farm to plate" vision.

By Car: Wyken Vineyards is located at Wyken Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2DW. It is situated in the Suffolk countryside, less than half an hour's drive from Bury St Edmunds.

By Public Transport: The nearest bus stops are Blackbourne Middle School and Memorial in Stanton, both requiring approximately a 70-minute walk to the vineyard. Bus lines 304, 338, and 73 serve these stops. Due to the rural location and walking distance, a taxi from Bury St Edmunds town centre or a car is generally recommended for convenience.

• Other Vineyards:
  
  
  • Giffords Hall Vineyard: A family-owned vineyard about 30 minutes from Bury St Edmunds, offering tours and tastings of their sparkling and still wines.
  • Burnt House Vineyard: Also around 30 minutes from Bury St Edmunds, with a cellar door and tasting room for their sparkling and still wines.
• Notable Restaurants:
  
  
  • Pea Porridge: A Michelin-starred restaurant in Bury St Edmunds, known for its focus on seasonal ingredients and wood-fired cooking.
  • 1921 Angel Hill: Located in Bury St Edmunds, this restaurant offers modern British cuisine.
• Notable Hotels:
  
  
  • The Abbey Hotel & Apartments: Situated in the historical district of Bury St Edmunds, offering comfortable accommodation with a garden.
  • All Saints Resort: A golf hotel near Bury St Edmunds featuring a spa, health club, and indoor pool.
• Notable Attractions:
  
  
  • Abbey Gardens: Beautiful formal gardens in Bury St Edmunds, surrounding the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund.
  • Pakenham Watermill: A historic working watermill located near the vineyard, offering a glimpse into rural heritage.