Girls Weekend Away: Touring UK Vineyards

Girls Weekend Getaway of UK Vineyards

Raise a glass and grab your girls – it’s time for the ultimate weekend escape in celebration of English Wine Week (21–29 June)! What better way to toast to friendship, sunshine, and sensational sips than with a vineyard-hopping adventure across some of the UK’s most beautiful wine regions? From the rolling hills of Sussex to the charming countryside of Norfolk and the coastal charm of Dorset, this girls’ getaway blends award-winning wines with boutique stays, picture-perfect views, and plenty of laughter. Whether you're seasoned wine lovers or just in it for the bubbles and vibes, we’ve rounded up the top vineyard experiences to make your weekend one to remember. Expect tasting tours, alfresco lunches, Insta-worthy moments, and lots of clinking glasses.

So, pack your bags, call your besties, and let the British vino flow – your unforgettable girls wine weekend starts here! Discover our large holiday cottages, perfect for sharing with friends!

🥂 Girls Wine Weekend Checklist 🍇

Pin now, plan later!

✅ Choose your wine region:

• Sussex 🍾 Sparkling stars & rolling hills

• Kent 🍷 Garden vibes & elegant estates

• Norfolk 🌿 Countryside charm & hidden gems

• Dorset 🌊 Coastal wines & laid-back luxe

✅ Book vineyard tours & tasting experiences
✅ Reserve chic accommodation (think countryside cottages)
✅ Plan cute outfits for vineyard strolls & sunset selfies
✅ Pack a picnic blanket, sunnies, and a portable speaker
✅ Organise transport or designate a driver
✅ Bring a stylish tote for all your wine finds
✅ Celebrate English Wine Week with your besties in style

📌 Bookmark this guide and book now – the vines (and the vibes) are calling!

Sussex Vineyards - 3 Day Itineary

Day 1: Arrival + West Sussex Vineyards 

📍 1. Tinwood Estate (Near Chichester) 

• Specialty: Sparkling wines 

• Vibe: Modern, scenic, relaxed 

• Experience: Estate tour, wine flight, and cheese board 

Lunch Option: Onsite picnic or visit The Horse & Groom in East Ashling 

📍 2. Ashling Park Estate 

• Highlights: Sleek, modern winery with immersive VR tour 

• Bonus: Also features a craft gin distillery 

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Day 2: Central Sussex + South Downs 

📍 1. Wiston Estate (Near Pulborough) 

• Experience: Historic estate meets state-of-the-art winery 

• Tasting: Renowned for English sparkling wines 

• Optional: Vineyard walk + lunch at onsite Chalk Restaurant 

📍 2. Nyetimber (Check open days) 

• Note: Private estate with limited public access 

• Why Go: Pioneers of English sparkling wine – prestigious 

📍 3. Kinsbrook Vineyard 

• Vibe: Young, fun, and family-run 

• Onsite: Wine bar and farm shop-style casual dining 

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 Day 3: Eastern Sussex – Sparkling Wine Trail 

📍 1. Ridgeview Wine Estate (Ditchling) 

• Why Visit: One of the UK’s top sparkling wine producers 

• Experience: Cellar tours with tastings + South Downs views 

📍 2. Breaky Bottom (Near Alfriston) [Appointment only] 

• Vibe: Rustic, quirky, and intimate 

• Host: Legendary winemaker Peter Hall 

📍 3. Rathfinny Wine Estate (Alfriston) 

• Highlights: Expansive views, vineyard walks, refined dining 

• Dining Options: The Flint Barns Dining Room or The Tasting Room 

Where to Stay in Sussex

The Lodge at Oldbury Barns, Chichester - Sleeps 6, 3 nights from £615

Hale Barn, nr Lewes, Sleeps 8, 3 nights from £965

Norfolk Vineyards - 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival + Northern Norfolk Vineyards 

📍 1. Fairhaven Vineyard (South Walsham) 

• Highlights: One of Norfolk’s best producers of still and sparkling wines. 

• Tour: Vineyard walk and wine tasting, including a range of reds, whites, and sparkling. 

• Extras: The wine shop on-site is perfect for picking up a few bottles to take home. 

• Experience: Learn about the local winemaking process and the varieties grown here. 

• Lunch Option: Enjoy a picnic near the vineyard or head to The Norfolk Mead for a countryside lunch. 

📍 2. Woodforde's Brewery & Vineyards (Norwich) 

• Vibe: Norfolk’s iconic brewery with a vineyard twist. 

• Experience: Besides tasting wine, explore Woodforde's craft ales. Enjoy a combined wine & beer tasting session. 

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Day 2: Southern Norfolk Vineyards + Exploring the Countryside 

📍 1. Black Shuck Vineyard (Fakenham) 

• Highlights: A family-run vineyard that focuses on producing high-quality wines. 

• Experience: Wine tasting of still and sparkling varieties, with a focus on English varietals. 

• Extras: Take a tour of the vineyard and its charming wine cellar. 

• Lunch: Try the local specialties at The Litcham White Horse pub nearby, just a short drive from the vineyard. 

 📍 2. Congham Hall Vineyard (Kings Lynn) 

• Why Visit: A small but scenic vineyard on a historic estate. 

• Tour: A relaxed tour showcasing the blend of modern winemaking with a traditional estate feel. 

• Tasting: Enjoy a guided tasting of their exclusive range of wines. 

 📍 3. The English Wine Centre (Near Alfriston) 

• Extra Stop: On your way back to your accommodation, explore The English Wine Centre. 

• Tasting: Sip on wines made by local producers across the UK, with a focus on quality English sparkling wines. 

Where to Stay in Norfolk

Blofield Stays, Blofield Cottage, Norwich - Sleeps 6, 2 nights from £535

Orchard Farmhouse, Wells-next-the-Sea - Sleeps 6, 2 nights from £635

The Piggery, Fakenham - Sleeps 6, 3 nights from £985

Kent Vineyards - 2 Day Itinerary

1: Arrival + Central Kent Vineyards 

📍 1. Chapel Down Winery (Tenterden) 

• Why Visit: One of Kent’s best-known vineyards, producing award-winning wines. 

• Experience: Take a guided tour through the vineyard and winery, followed by a tasting of their sparkling and still wines. 

• Extras: You can also visit their wine shop, where you can purchase your favorites from the day. 

• Lunch Option: Dine at The Swan at Chapel Down, offering a delicious menu with locally sourced produce. 

 📍 2. Biddenden Vineyards (Biddenden) 

• Vibe: A family-run vineyard with over 50 years of winemaking tradition. 

• Experience: Enjoy a wine tasting experience showcasing their selection of still and sparkling wines. 

• Extras: You can also explore the vineyard’s farm shop, which sells local produce and gifts. 

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 Day 2: Southern Kent Vineyards + Exploring the Countryside 

 📍 1. Gusbourne Estate (Appledore) 

• Why Visit: A prestigious vineyard known for its top-quality English sparkling wines. 

• Experience: Take a guided tour of the estate and enjoy a tasting session, including their award-winning sparkling wines. 

• Extras: The estate’s shop is perfect for purchasing wines to take home. 

• Lunch Option: Enjoy lunch at The Bell Inn in Appledore, known for its traditional pub food. 

 📍 2. Hush Heath Estate (Staplehurst) 

• Why Visit: A picturesque estate producing award-winning wines, especially their sparkling wines. 

• Experience: Take a tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a tasting of their premium wines. 

• Extras: You can explore the beautiful estate and walk through the scenic apple orchards. 

 📍 3. Kent & East Sussex Railway (Rolvenden) 

• Extra Stop: Before heading back, enjoy a ride on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, which offers a scenic route through the countryside, perfect for relaxing and reflecting on your trip. 

Where to Stay in Kent

Cold Blow Cottage, Sleeps 3, 2 nights from £389

Bluebell Lodge,Ashford - Sleeps 4, 2 nights from £445

Dorset Vineyards - 2 Day Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival + West Dorset Vineyards 

📍 1. Bride Valley Vineyard (Near Beaminster) 

• Why Visit: Known for producing award-winning English sparkling wines and still wines. 

• Experience: Take a guided tour through the vineyard and winery, followed by a tasting session of their delicious sparkling wines. 

• Extras: Their beautiful, scenic location makes it ideal for photos, and you can also purchase wine directly from the estate. 

• Lunch Option: Stop at The Fox Inn in Ansty for a traditional English pub lunch, serving hearty meals using local ingredients. 

 📍 2. Fordington Vineyard (Dorchester) 

• Vibe: A small, family-run vineyard with a focus on sustainable farming and producing quality wines. 

• Experience: Take a vineyard tour, followed by a tasting session of their still and sparkling wines. The winemaker’s personal touch makes the experience unique and educational. 

• Extras: Relax in the vineyard’s peaceful environment or visit the winery shop to purchase some bottles to take home. 

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Day 2: Eastern Dorset Vineyards + Countryside Exploration 

📍 1. Langham Wine Estate (Near Beaminster) 

• Why Visit: One of Dorset’s finest wineries, known for producing sparkling wines with a Champagne-style finish. 

• Experience: Enjoy a tour of their beautiful vineyard, where you’ll learn about their winemaking process, followed by a wine tasting session featuring their flagship sparkling wines. 

• Extras: Langham Wine Estate also has a lovely café, where you can enjoy a light lunch or snack after your wine tour. 

 📍 2. The Dorset Vineyards at The Stalbridge Arms (Stalbridge) 

• Vibe: A hidden gem in Dorset, offering a relaxed and intimate wine tasting experience. 

• Experience: Take a private tasting session of local wines paired with food from the Stalbridge Arms pub. This is a more intimate experience, perfect for a relaxed afternoon. 

• Extras: The venue offers a delightful combination of food and wine, providing a cosy and warm atmosphere for your tasting experience. 

 📍 3. Catherston Vineyard (Near Lyme Regis) 

• Why Visit: A small, family-run vineyard producing some of the best organic wines in the region. 

• Experience: Tour the estate’s lovely vineyards and winery, then enjoy a tasting of their organic wines. 

• Extras: You can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside and coast during your visit. 

Where to Stay in Dorset

Bradstick Cottages - The Retreat, Bridport - Sleeps 11 , 2 nights from £1115

Henchard, Greenwood Grange Cottages, Dorchester - Sleeps 12, 3 nights from £1623

🧳 Packing List 

• Comfortable shoes for vineyard walks 

• Light jacket or sweater (weather can change quickly in the countryside) 

• Sunglasses & sunblock (for outdoor tours) 

• Camera for vineyard photos and scenic views 

• Wine carrier or sturdy box for bottle purchases 

• Notepad for tasting notes 

• Travel-sized snacks (for on-the-go between stops) 

• Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated!) 

🍷 Pro Tips 

• Book all tours and tastings in advance – they fill up quickly 

• Consider a wine chauffeur or private driver to avoid driving post-tasting 

• Bring a wine carrier or box – you’ll definitely want to take bottles home 

Looking for more Inspiration?

So whether you're dreaming of sipping sparkling rosé in the Sussex sun, strolling through scenic Norfolk vines, or unwinding with a glass of white by the Dorset coast, there’s no better time to plan your perfect girls wine weekend. With English Wine Week just around the corner, these vineyards are ready to welcome you with open arms (and open bottles!). Bookmark this guide, rally your besties, and start planning now – these stunning spots book up fast, especially during wine week. Your unforgettable, wine-filled escape is just a few clicks away. Cheers to new memories, local flavours, and a getaway that’s all about good wine and even better company!

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