Welcome to Ashford and Tenterden, the place to discover Kent’s burgeoning wine scene and the home of many of England’s award-winning and most renowned vineyards. From the chalk soil and the south-facing slopes to the climate, there are many things that make Ashford the perfect wine growing region, and many more things that make it an exceptional staycation destination! Read on and allow us to inspire your foodie escape.
Day one
While you can of course choose to plan out your vineyard visits and enjoy that first day of sipping and touring on your own, it doesn’t get much simpler than this. Let Wine Tours of Kent do all the planning, all the driving and all the booking for the first day of your break. With their very own tour bus and relationships with many of Ashford’s vineyards, local restaurants and accommodation, Wine Tours of Kent will take care of all the details, so all you need to do is taste, learn and enjoy. Here’s a little inspiration and an idea of what your Wine Tour and Wine Break could look like.
Morning
Your morning will start as the tour bus whisks you away to your first vineyard – no need for designated drivers here! As there are so many vineyards to choose from the Wine Tours of Kent team are spoilt for choice but your tour could include a visit to the likes of Brabourne, a small family run vineyard which offers the perfect introduction to Kentish wine. Your tour will take in their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines, before culminating in a tasting of some of their premium wines. What a start to the day!
Lunch
As Wine Tours of Kent are in the driving seat, you can expect a hearty lunch, and The Five Bells at Brabourne is one of our favourite stops for a taste of Kent cuisine. This 16th century inn truly makes the most of its North Downs views and cosy interiors, which complement the delicious gastro delights on the menu.
Afternoon
Next on your visit could be Gusbourne, a vineyard which strives to make the finest wines in the world. With quality running through everything they do, you can expect nothing but the best on this tour, which rounds off with a tasting of their exceptional still or sparkling wines.
Once you’ve sipped and sampled Gusbourne’s many, many exquisite wines, you’ll be counting your lucky stars that Wine Tours of Kent have such wonderful knowledge of Ashford’s vineyards as they whisk you away to your next stop. Your final visit could be Woodchurch, a single estate vineyard which is known for its low-intervention, award-winning sparkling wines, including Kent Wine of the Year 2023, The Woodchurch Classic Brut – now that’s worth raising a glass to!
Dine and stay
Your carriage awaits and so does your dinner and bed for the night. With so many incredible boutique accommodations in the area, Wine Tours of Kent offers some exceptional breaks as part of your tour, including Boys Hall, the beautifully restored Jacobean Manor which is on so many must-visit lists.
Dinner at Boys Hall showcases why Kent’s foodie scene has made such a splash, with an ever-changing menu of fresh, local and seasonal produce, much of it cooked over fire. After dinner and those oh-so-tempting cocktails and Kentish wine, cosy up in their very own micro-pub or enjoy late evening sun on the terrace.
Head up to your individually and exquisitely styled room and you can expect a super king bed, Egyptian cotton linen, garden views, home from home touches and even rolltop baths that all help curate one of the best night’s sleep you’ve ever head.
Day two
Day two is all about getting your exploring boots on and discovering even more of the area’s glorious countryside and vineyards.
Morning
Once again, we’re ditching the car and this time we’re taking to two wheels with UK Electric Bike Centre. Positioned in Headcorn in the heart of our wine territory, it’s no surprise that a full day hire will take you through some of our most iconic vineyards. Pick up their self-guided Kent Vineyards Tour Map or download the app and take to the trails on your very own electric bike.
Your first stop is Chapel Down, one of England’s most renowned vineyards, and for very good reason! Book onto one of their guided tours and tastings for the chance to learn about what goes into crafting Chapel Down’s award-winning wines, or take a self-guided tour through the vines, before heading to the shop for tastings and the chance to stock up on produce (don’t worry your electric bike has paniers to take care of carrying it back).
Lunch
The choice is yours for lunch. Choose to settle down right in the heart of it all at Chapel Down’s Swan Restaurant and experience fine dining and views across the vines, or hop on your bike to the pretty town of Tenterden. Besides numerous boutique shops and independent cafes, Tenterden’s tree-lined streets boast plenty of cosy pubs like The White Lion or even the Woolpack Tenterden, owned by nearby Balfour Winery.
Afternoon
Country lanes through rolling landscapes will take you to your final vineyard stop, Biddenden. As this very winery is known as Kent’s original vineyard, it seems like a fitting place to round off your visit. Tour the 23-acre estate and learn all about the Barnes family’s passion for quality, not to mention the care they put into hand-working each of their vines. Of course, you’ll also be able to purchase some of Biddenden’s finest wines from their shop to take home, so you can head back and raise one final toast to your fantastic foodie break.
Ashford Visitor Information Service. Tel: 01233 330383 Email: tourism@ashford.gov.uk