Discover The South West England Wine Scene

Love wine or wine curious? Do you find joy in wandering around leafy grounds, on hilltop settings with awesome views, flora, and fauna? Does local produce and a unique dining setting delight you? Well, a a visit to a vineyard in England should be on your South West 660 road trip itinerary!

A recent VisitBritain survey indicates 42% of inbound tourists would enjoy a visit to a winery. Well in the South West, you’re in luck! With 18 wineries and vineyards along the South West 660 routes, ranging from boutique to large established sites.

English Wine, not be confused with British wine which is made from imported grapes, has seen extraordinary growth over the last few years. Wine education, increased temperatures from climate change, and growing awareness of the industry have all contributed.

According to Wines of Great Britain (source Wine GB Industry Report), the top five most planted varieties in the South West (by hectares) – which includes the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Avon, Dorset, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Isles of Scilly and Channel Islands are:

• Pinot Noir 92
• Chardonnay 52
• Seyval Blanc 37
• Bacchus 34
• Madeleine Angevine 24

Who’s that behind the cask?

Well, a vineyard grows its own grapes on the land, and will use another winery to help process its grape harvest for them. A winery is where wine is produced. Many of the vineyards in England produce a range of wines including Sparkling, Rosé, White, and Red, some from single varieties and others carefully blended using different grape varieties.

It should never be underestimated how our wacky weather and cheeky yet meddling wildlife really add challenges to the success or failure of the vines throughout the year. Without the hard graft and dynamism of the vineyard team, you wouldn’t see the glorious laden rows of sugary juice parcels that go from bunch to bottle. Many (if not all) vineyards and wineries are family-owned, bursting with passion, and with well-earned awards to show for their efforts.

It’s worth noting that all of these venues will naturally have sloped or uneven ground so are not suitable for everyone, but their cellar door or dining areas might be on a more level accessible area, so it’s always best to check with them direct if you have any specific needs or queries.

Planning your Vineyard or Winery visit

With three South West 660 itineraries to choose from: Devon & Dorset, North Cornwall, North Devon & Exmoor and Devon, Dartmouth & Cornwall visits to the Vineyards and Wineries listed below can be easily incorporated into your South England road trip. To enquire about your road trip simply get in touch to speak to one of our friendly travel consultants.

Route 2 – Weymouth to Lyme Regis

Bride Valley Vineyard, Litton Cheney, Dorset

Previously a sheep farm and situated a few miles inland of the glorious Dorset coastline, Bride Valley enjoys clean chalky Kimmeridgian soil almost identical to that found in the Champagne region of France, meaning perfect conditions for sparling wine..

Tours: Pre bookable tours from April to September on Thursdays and Saturdays. Walk around the vineyard, followed by a tasting of four of their wines in the tasting room and gardens.

Grapes: Chardonnay, Blanc de Blanc & Pinot Noir

Cellar Door: Situated in the old stable block, it is open Thursday to Saturday

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children: Children welcome for a small fee, includes a soft drink and some activities for them to enjoy.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Furleigh Estate, Bridport, Dorset

Situated within 85 acres on a former dairy farm converted into a modern and productive vineyard and winery. They have a beautiful stone walled tasting room, a cellar door, and small terrace overlooking the vines.

Tours: Prebookable tours from Easter to end of October include a 2 hour Grand Tour on Thursdays to Saturdays or 1.5 hour Classic Tour on Wednesdays. Alternatively, you can drop in for a taster of 3 wines for £5 during cellar door hours.

Grapes: Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Rondo & Pinot Noir

Cellar Door: Open Tuesday to Saturday

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children: Children can visit the cellar door but under 18’s are not allowed on tours

Dogs: Dogs are welcome but not allowed in the winery

Dalwood Vineyard, Dalwood, Nr Axminster

Many a good idea can be discussed over a pint or two but lost in the noise of local chatter and never come to fruition, however the local skittle team went on to do it and Dalwood Vineyard was born in 2009. The vineyard site is west to south-west facing on a gentle hill, overlooking the village and specialises in sparkling wines made to the traditional method, as well as some excellent still wines.

Tours: End of May to September, tours will be posted on their socials or feel free to call them to arrange a visit.
Grapes: Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir, Solaris and Madeleine Angevine
Cellar Door: No but you can buy from them online, call them to pop in and purchase straight from their home nearby to the vineyard or nearby Millers Farm Shop sells their wines too
Cafe or Restaurant: No
Children: Yes children are welcome
Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Heron Farm, Honiton, East Devon

With a unique ‘Grand Designs’ building and exquisite walled flower garden, Heron Farm has quickly become a firm favourite in the area for business people, passers-by, locals and with a play park, fairy garden and some sheep, it’s a great place for families too. They also have two electric vehicle charging points.

Tours: April to October every Saturday at 12pm, a 90min tour includes a vineyard and orchard tour, seeing the kitchen garden and ‘gin’ orchard, and finishing off with some tastings at the Vineyard Kitchen. Private tours for up to 10 people can be booked Tuesday to Sunday.
Grapes: Seyval Blanc, Solaris, and Pinot Noir
Cellar Door: Yes they have a shop within their Vineyard Kitchen which also sells local and sustainable gifts and lifestyle products alongside their wines, gin and apple juice.
Cafe or Restaurant: The Vineyard Kitchen is award-winning and serves breakfast, and lunch with all day brunch dishes too. Dine indoors in their modern building or outdoors amongst the kitchen garden full of flowers and little streams. They hold exciting dining events throughout the year too.
Children: Children are very welcome, including the tours, with lots on offer for them.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the shop, ground floor of the Vineyard Kitchen and Walled Garden. They are welcome on the tours but you’ll be asked to skip the fairy garden and orchard part.

Lily Farm, Budleigh Salterton, East Devon

Within easy walking distance of Budleigh Salterton on the Jurassic Coast, Lily Farm Vineyard has been producing since 2005. Situated approximately 40 – 50 metres above sea level the vines flourish in their South West facing position. We believe they are the smallest vineyard to win gold in the English Wine Awards last year, for their Bacchus.

Tours: May to September 2023 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for approximately 45mins. Vineyard tour includes a tasting of 4 wines.

Grapes: Seyval Blanc, Pinot Noir, Rondo & Bacchus

Cellar Door: Open Friday & Saturday during low season, Thursday to Saturdays during May to September

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children:  No

Dogs: Guide dogs only

Lympstone Manor, Lympstone, East Devon

With vines planted in 2018 on a site has been identified as one of the very best in the country, Michelin star chef and proprietor Michael Caines MBE has an enviable and incredible spot above the Exe Estuary.

Grapes: Champagne: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Meunier

Tours: Tours will run on Wednesdays, May and September for resident guests plus special lunch packages for non-residents.

Cellar Door: No

Cafe or Restaurant: Michelin-starred Lympstone Manor restaurant and their more relaxed offering The Pool House Restaurant are both open to residents and non-residents, but must be booked in advance. The vineyard tour package includes lunch in Lympstone Manor.

Children: No

Dogs: No

Pebblebed Vineyard, Topsham, East Devon

A well-known East Devon vineyard, now in the passionate and careful hands of Darts Farm, is tucked away just on the outskirts of Topsham. Their sparkling wines are made using the traditional champagne method.

Grapes: Rondo, Seyval Blanc, Madeline Angevine, Phoenix, Seyval Blanc & Pinot Noir

Tours: From May to September, on Thursdays and Saturdays, you can enjoy a 2 hour vineyard tour and wine tasting with food (cheese and charcuterie).

Cellar Door: Yes at tour times. Outside of these times, you can buy their wine from Darts Farm Shop itself.

Cafe or Restaurant: No but the tour includes lunch

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: No

 Explore other food and drink delights between Lyme Regis and Exeter

Route 4 – Exeter to Dartmouth

Kenton Park Estate, Exeter

Kenton Park Estate is quite frankly a sweet shop for adults, who like good food and wine. There is far too much on offer to cover in a small space of words. On the west side of the Exe Estuary, nestling in the foothills of Haldon Forest, they offer accommodation, safari huts, ‘wine in the wild’ adventures, as well as the usual tours.

Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Reichensteiner, Solaris & Bacchus

Tours: Open Tuesday to Saturday from mid-April to late September, various tours lasting a minimum 2.5 hours are prebookable including Wine and Cheese, Wine, Cheese and Gin, and a Wine safari. 1 hour wine tastings are held in the restaurant on Wednesdays and Saturdays and include a selection of 6 wines with accompanying nibbles.

Cellar Door: Yes, pop into the bar for sales.

Cafe or Restaurant: Yes, Motley Cru Bar and Grill is their vineyard kitchen offering all sorts of deliciousness.

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Old Walls Vineyard, Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth

With evidence of a vineyard on the Old Walls land more than 2000 years ago, the vineyard is positioned facing towards the Tegn estuary. You can even stay on the vineyard in one of their lodges overlooking the vines, two of which are dog friendly. You can also opt for a stay and pick experience or even rent a vine.

Grapes: Regent, Rondo, Dunkelfelder, Bacchus and Reichensteiner, Auxerrois & Pinot Noir

Tours: Fridays, Saturdays and every first and third Sunday of the month you can enjoy a 4 hour experience including tour, tastings and a ploughmans lunch. Every Friday, Twilight tours and Tapas are on offer too.

Cellar Door: You can buy wines from the restaurant.

Cafe or Restaurant: Regents Bistro enjoys a lofty position with views down the valley.

Children: Yes

Dogs: Dogs are welcome on tours and in the Bistro

Sandridge Barton – the home of Sharpham Wine, Stoke Gabriel, South Devon

One of Devon’s most renowned names, Sandridge Barton is the new home of Sharpham wines, after a move across the estuary from their original site. Exeter’s well-known restaurant Circa soon followed to take up the food offering on-site. Three self-catering properties are available of varying sizes with views of either the vineyard, the estuary, or the winery and orchard.

Grapes: Pinot Gris, Madeleine Angevine, Pinot Noir & Bacchus

Tours: Prebookable guided tasting includes a relaxed guided tasting of three wines, two Devon cheeses with a tour around the winemaking facilities. Not a tour, but self guided wine tasting flight can be booked as a 1 hour slot and pay on arrival to enjoy a choice of four wines with a tasting guide leaflet. Small plates are available as an add-on.

Cellar Door: Yes

Cafe or Restaurant: Yes, Circa run the restaurant in the old stone milking parlour, serving seasonally led, low impact but uber local and delicious dishes.

Children: Children are welcome in the restaurant and on the self-guided tasting

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Head to nearby bustling Brixham for more food, drink and accommodation on our blog post here.

Route 5 – Dartmouth to Plymouth

Calancombe Estate, Nr Modbury, South Devon

With plenty on offer here for food and drink lovers, Calancombe boasts a vineyard, winery and distillery. As well as wine from their own grapes, they make Dartmouth English Gin, cyder, cassis and apple brandy.

Grapes: Blanc de Noir, Pinot Noir, Bacchus & Madeleine Angevine

Tours: Self guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday, using their vineyard app or a more traditional map if you prefer, with a chance to sample wine, cassis and gin.  2.5 hour grand tours are available Thursday to Sundays, which includes a cheese and charcuterie lunch, wine and cassis tastings. The ultimate experience is a 5.5 hour epic day of informative sessions, tour, lunch, tasting, gin making and more!

Cellar Door: Open Wednesdays to Sundays, they sell all their drinks as well as cheese and charcuterie.

Cafe or Restaurant: Their restaurant serves lunch, afternoon teas, and tapas. Dishes include local produce and offer inspiration from classic Mediterranean dishes with a modern twist. During the summer they will also open for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Special events are also on offer.

Children: Children are welcome in the cellar door, vineyard, restaurant and on the self-guided or private tour.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed in the vineyard, but not the cellar door, tasting areas, or winery.

Plenty of Plymouth food and drink discoveries can be found here and here!

Route 6 – Plymouth to St Austell

Looe Valley Vineyard, South Cornwall

Growing since 2008, a visit to this winery in England is a fantastic experience as you can get a little hands on various parts of their tours such as pruning in the vineyard or having a go in the winery, along with learning the professional way to taste wine.

Grapes: Bacchus, Solaris, Schonburger, and Pinot Noir

Tours: Prebooked only, they offer 2 hour tours with wine tasting on Thursday and Saturdays, with additional dates added in as demand increases throughout the summer.

Cellar Door: You can pop in a buy wines or call them to sort out an order.

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Knightor Winery, St Austell, South Cornwall

Above the shores of St Austell Bay, their winery is situated amongst four acres of orchards and a series of wildflower meadows. In addition to their still and sparkling wines, they offer a selection of vermouth and a newly released canned rose wine spritz. It is also a popular wedding and events space.

Grapes: Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Black de Blanc

Tours: Guided 60 minute winery tour with tasting of 4 wines every Sunday, April to October. 2 hour vineyard tour with charcuterie and cheese board, with a tasting of 4 wines every Thursday during July and August. Walk-ins welcome for tastings are Saturdays and Sundays. Special events held in the Events Barn throughout the Summer including a Winemakers Dinner or King’s BBQ Royale.

Cellar Door: Yes

Cafe or Restaurant: The Winery Kitchen is open on Sundays for epic Sunday lunch using local produce.

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Route 7 – St Austell to Penzance

Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard, Penzance, Cornwall

Set back 1 mile inland from Penzance harbour, Polgoon Vineyard and Orchardwas established by former fish merchants, transferring their passion from the sea to the soil. They have diversified with their orchard and, in addition to their wines, make their own flavoured ciders and even a cider brandy.

Grapes: Bacchus, Rondo, Pinot Noir, Ortega, Seyval Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc

Tours: Guided 90-minute vineyard tours every Thursday and Friday which includes a tasting of 5 drinks. Self-guided vineyard tours run daily which include tastings of 3 wines. Sparkling wine tour runs every Saturday which includes wine tasting.

Cellar Door: Yes, the vineyard shop sells their own wines, honey, eggs and jams.

Cafe or Restaurant: Their Vine House café is an al fresco affair with covered areas, and serves homemade pizzas, cheese platters and light lunches using local produce.

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: Dogs are welcome in the vineyard and café but are not allowed in the winery or shop

Dive into more food, drink and accommodation inspo on our Porthleven blog post here

Route 9 – St Ives to Wadebridge

The Atlantic Vineyard, Nr Newquay

Planted in 2022, this organic vineyard 3 miles inland from Newquay, is in its infancy. Having converted 7.5 acres of South West facing potato and barley plantings into the vineyard, they are striving to become one of the first Net Zero vineyards in the UK.

Grapes: Divico, Pinotin, Solaris, Muscaris, Johanniter

Tours: Tour dates will be released during Summer 2023. Wander through the 7 acres of Earth-Friendly vines, bring a picnic blanket, and relax while taking in the views. Enjoy a refreshing taste of delicious wine in their barn, from partnered European vineyards until their harvest is ready.

Cellar Door: No

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children: Please check with venue

Dogs: Please check with venue

Route 10 – Wadebridge to Clovelly

Trevibban Mill Vineyard and Orchards, Nr Padstow

A few miles from Padstow, this contemporary winery produces wines and cider. It is also available for events and weddings. Planted in 2008, apple trees, sweet chestnuts and other fruit trees were planted in addition four years later.

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Blanc de Noir, Blanc de Blanc.

Tours: Separate wine and cider tastings on offer every day. Guided tours on Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October which include a tasting of 5 drinks or a 3-hour grand walking tour that includes lunch, and a wine/cider tutored tasting consisting of 7 drinks in their tasting room every Saturday from April to September.

Cellar Door: Yes

Cafe or Restaurant: Sharing platters to compliments the wines, ciders and other local drinks are on offer in the tasting room and balcony, bookings or walk-ins welcome. Barnaby’s at the Vineyard (part of Prawn on the Lawn), are hosting a pop up from May to September in the lower part of the building with exciting small plates.

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Camel Valley, Bodmin

One of Cornwall’s oldest vineyards, planted in 1989, it is situated above the famous River Camel. Why not take a detour off the Camel Trail on foot or by bike and make a pitstop here? The steep hill is worth the reward!

Tours: Daily guided 45-minute tours Monday to Friday, including wine flight of 4 flagship wines to taste. Grand tour and tasting every Thursday evening April to October, includes a wine tasting session of a minimum of 5 wines.

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Bacchus & Blanc de Noir,

Cellar Door: Yes

Cafe or Restaurant: No, but there is a small snack list for some nibbles to enjoy with wine tasting

Children: Yes they are welcome on the daily guided tour only, ticket price includes a soft drink

Dogs: Guide dogs only

Route 11 – Clovelly to Lynton

Venn Valley Vineyard, Nr Barnstaple, North Devon

Amongst the rolling North Devon hills,and only 4 miles from bustling Barnstaple, the vineyard lies on the same latitude as the great wine growing regions around Cologne in Germany. It is a newer vineyard with its first wines available in 2023.

Tours: 90min tours run twice a day on Fridays and Saturdays from late March to early October, which includes tasting of four wines.

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Ortega & Madeline Angevine

Cellar Door: Buy their wines from the café

Cafe or Restaurant: The Vineyard Cafe serves all-day breakfast from Wednesday to Sunday, plus Sunday lunches and cream teas.

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs:  Dogs are welcome on the tours and in the cafe

Route 12 – Lynton to Watchet

Oately Vineyard, North Somerset

Between the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel coast, this Somerset vineyard has quite a history, having been established in 1989. With low intervention and eco friendly husbandry, they pride themselves on being unspoilt and uncommercial.

Grapes: Kernling & Madeline Angevine

Tours: From end of Apri to beginning of Septemberl, experience DIY self-guided 90 minute tours with choice of 3 or 4 white wine selection so you can find a picnic spot to enjoy them. Bring your own food or add on a food hamper with your booking from the local farm shop. Guided private tasting experiences are available on Fridays to Sundays with one of the family members.

Cellar Door: Open for wine sales on Saturday, no booking required, taste before you buy and wines by the glass.

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children: Children are welcome

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Wellhayes Vineyard

Focussing on just sparkling wine using the four grape varieties they grow, the south facing slopes and red Devonian soil make for excellent conditions. They also hold music events onsite.

Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Reichensteiner

Tours: Prebookable 90 minute tours May to September on Wednesdays and Sundays, includes walking around the vineyard, visiting the winery, a glass of their sparkling wine, a sample of their chocolates and a traditional cream tea.

Cellar Door: No

Cafe or Restaurant: No

Children: Children are welcome, a child’s cream tea is also available.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome

Feeling inspired to visit the South West of England? Check out these three itineraries taking you to Devon & Dorset, North Cornwall, North Devon & Exmoor and Devon, Dartmouth & Cornwall. Or if you prefer a tailor-made experience, get in touch today and lets get the ball rolling on your next adventure!