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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 04 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Annabelle Thorpe

The United Kingdom wasn’t widely known for its wine until the mid-2010s, when a handful of brilliant wineries in the south of England started garnering buzz and winning awards, for excellent sparkling wines among other varieties.

The area lies on the same latitude as France’s Champagne region with the same limestone ridge, creating a similar quality of grape – and as climate change has nudged average temperatures up, the bumper crops have kept coming.

Ridgeview Winery led the way for the region, winning the prestigious Winemaker of the Year prize in 2018’s International Wine and Spirit Competition. Now there are enough established wineries around Sussex’s South Downs to create a wine-tasting itinerary, either as a day out from Brighton or London, or a short break in its own right.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Although some vineyards accept walk-ins, if you want a formal tasting, or tour of the vineyard, it’s always best to ring ahead and make a reservation. As most vineyards are set in rural locations, getting to them by public transport can be difficult – it’s better to drive.

Sussex Wineries is an umbrella organisation that has information on some of the county’s best vineyards and how to visit.

When to do it

Most vineyards are open all year, although in the winter months it may be on an appointment-only basis. Not all vineyards are open every day for tastings, so do plan ahead.

view of vineyard looking downhill to tasting room
Experience

Bolney Wine Estate

Bolney, West Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)

The best-designed visitor experience in Sussex, with a shiny new visitor’s centre, Bolney offers basic tastings and gourmet tours including a lunch.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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View of a vineyard with South Downs in background
Experience

Ridgeview Wine Estate

Ditchling Common, West Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)

Close to the pocket-sized village of Ditchling and many South Downs walking trails, this modern, family-run winery lays on tastings, food pairings and walks around the vines.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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External view of the winery building with domed roof
Experience

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard

Robertsbridge, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)

This region’s forerunner in biodynamic wines, Sedlescombe has a beautiful grand-design of a tasting room set among the vines, plus tastings and a shop.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Sussex Vineyard Vintage Bus Tour
Experience

Sussex Vineyard Vintage Bus Tour

Albourne, West Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)

Leaving from Brighton, this vintage double-decker bus takes you on a full day jolly to visit two wineries (Court Garden and Albourne Estate) for tours and tastings.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | Full day

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Sussex Vineyard & Winery Bus Tour on Iconic Vintage London Bus

Sussex Vineyard & Winery Bus Tour on Iconic Vintage London Bus

Brighton

Join us as we transport you out of the city and into the Beautiful Sussex countryside for a day of English wine tasting in our vintage Route...

£109 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [70 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

My Brighton Hotel

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.2 miles]

lively, high-concept design hotel conveniently located in the heart of the North Laine area, a stone’s throw from the city’s shops and main attractions. 

Official star rating:

Blanch House

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.3 miles]

A chic boutique hotel in buzzing Kempton, with one of the city’s coolest cocktail bars.

Official star rating:

Drakes Brighton

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.4 miles]

A deliciously decadent boutique hotel right on Brighton seafront, set in a renovated Georgian townhouse. 

Official star rating:

Artist Residence Brighton

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.8 miles]

A hip, bohemian art-themed hotel in a stunning location at the head of Regency Square.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Brighton

East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)

An iconic seaside resort, Brighton oozes a unique mix of bohemian style and beachy chic, all wrapped up in an irrepressible sense of fun.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Royal Pavilion

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.4 miles]

Brighton’s most distinctive landmark – a domed Regency pleasure palace that looks straight out of Delhi, restored to its original splendour.

Best for ages: 10+ | £6

Brighton Pier

Brighton, West Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.8 miles]

An icon of British seaside history, Brighton’s Victorian pier offers the white-knuckle fairground rides, old-fashioned arcade games and fish and chips. The quintessential beach experience from a by-gone era.

Best for ages: Any | Free

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

the inside of Brighton Toy and Model Museum. The floor has black and white chequered tiles, and there are model aeroplanes hanging from the ceiling above the till.
Experience

Brighton Toy and Model Museum

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[8.9 miles]

A temple to nostalgic childhood moments, this quaint museum has toy trains and cars, stuffed toys and retrospectives of brands such as Lego. 

Best for ages: Any | Free

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Overview >
The shops in Brighton Lanes. Taken on a sunny day, the eclectic shops have brightly painted shopfront signs, and there is colourful bunting criss-crossing between the building roofs. The sky is blue, and several cafes have outdoor seating in the pedestrianised street. Shoppers walk on the pavement in front of the shops.
Experience

Shopping in the North Laine Quarter

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9 miles]

If you want to hang with the locals, this criss-cross of streets leading down from the station has vegan eateries, vintage shops and a classic Brighton-boho vibe. The shopping here is better than in the more famous ‘Lanes’.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1+ hours

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The facade of Brighton Museum and Art Gallery within the Royal Pavillion. Taken on a sunny day.
Experience

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.3 miles]

Set in Brighton’s Royal Pavilion complex, this eclectic collection is a hotchpotch of contemporary paintings, textiles, puppets, masks and eccentric furniture.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Overview >
A vibrant shopping street full of people on a clear day. Colourful bunting hangs from building to building.
Experience

Shopping in The Lanes

Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom (UK)[9.5 miles]

The tangle of narrow pedestrian lanes unfolding south of North Street is Brighton’s historic heart; old fisherman’s cottages now chock full of independent boutiques, jewellers, cafés and restaurants.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1+ hours

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