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If you have children and love wine (I wouldn’t dare suggest the two are related) you may feel that the days of having a glass of alcohol and discussing its mouthfeel are long gone. However, it does not necessarily have to be this way.
Because while our national wine industry has grown in stature, the experience of wine tasting at home has also become more refined. In recent years it has been interesting to see our wineries improve their visitor experience to become more like the superstar wineries of California and South Africa.
Some of our larger UK wineries are family-run, with owners who see the appeal in keeping younger visitors entertained. It also suits smaller wineries to offer a diverse range of experiences. Recently, at a small vineyard called Secret Valley in Somerset, we stayed in a cabin with its own hot tub and woke up to dew clinging to the vines. The kids met our neighbors that morning – alpacas, donkeys and ponies – while later we adults enjoyed wine tasting from the cabin. Think all the fun of Center Parcs without the hefty price tag.
Such experiences are becoming more and more common, so – after celebrating English Wine Week (18-26 June) – we’ve listed eight wineries that offer fun for families on holiday in the English countryside. Get your family a map and look for wine tasting flights that you can taste independently, perhaps while the kids have sat down to their own treat or grape juice in the vineyard cafe. As they say, parenting is all about balance.
For lego building wonders
Denbies Vineyard, Surrey
Depending on when you visit Denbies, the little ones can be staring up at birds of prey or engrossed in building things out of Lego. The winery, which is one of the UK’s largest producers, hosts fun events that must be booked in advance of a visit. Lego sessions take place on occasional Sundays, while a miniature train takes children on a nature trail every Wednesday in the summer. It passes scenic viewpoints where they can see everything from bat boxes to badger sets and weasels, and ticks off bird sightings on a map.
Drink: Denbies Greenfields is an award-winning sparkling wine that has baked apple aromas and a toasty character
Stay: Claiming to be carbon neutral, Denbies Hotel (01306 876616, denbies.co.uk) has garden views and rooms from £155 a night
For tree house adventures
Bluestones, Wiltshire
The adorable rare breed animals will go down a storm with children visiting Bluestones’ 42 acres, with possible animal feeding encounters as well as the occasional pig run. The adventure playground here includes a zip wire and a treehouse, and the self-guided tour – through 10 hectares of vines – is open to everyone. It includes a map and signs and ends with a self-guided tasting.
Drink: Bluestones’ 2017 vintage Classic Cuvée has flavors of lemon tart and toasted nuts
Stay: The winery has a family-friendly hostel on site, or try the thatched Red Lion Freehouse (01980 671124; redlionfreehouse.com), with fantastic food and rooms from £160 a night
For exotic creatures
Halfpenny Green, Staffordshire
With reptiles including horned chameleons and unusual mammals such as a jaguarundi cat, the Wild Zoo on this property is the first port of call for children. Once the youngsters have had their fill, parents can take everyone on a self-guided tour of the 30 hectares of vines used to make award-winning wine.
Drink: Halfpenny Green 2019 pinot noir is earthy and smooth, with notes of cherry, strawberry and vanilla; halfpennygreen.co.uk
Stay: The Red Lion Inn (01384 221237; redlioninn.co.uk) is a traditional pub nearby, with 16 rooms from £80 a night
For alpacas and deer
Bardfield Vineyard, Essex
A family of fluffy alpacas welcome children at this small but respected organic vineyard in a former medieval deer park. Children can feed the animals at specific times. A self-guided trail explores the hectare of vines, plus there is a pretty walled garden. Mid-week tours are followed by wine tasting in a Grade I listed barn.
Drink: The award-winning 2018 Bardfield Bacchus is a dry white with elderflower aromas and a crisp finish
Stay: Converted black-timber barns at Bardfield (01371 810776; greatlodge.co.uk) house stylish self-catering cottages with rooms from £80 a night
For treasure hunting
Brissenden Vineyard, Kent
A hit with locals during the pandemic, seasonal treasure trails have continued at Brissenden to encourage little ones to explore the vineyard. Groups of families are allowed to camp among the seven hectares of vines and enjoy a dedicated lawn for games such as rounders, football and badminton. There is also a bonfire for cozy evenings. Families who prefer tastings can book private, tailor-made winery tours including activities to keep the kids busy.
Drink: Brissenden’s Sparkling Brut is made with pinot noir grapes and is left on the lees for at least two years
Stay: The vineyard campsite (brissendenvineyard.com) comes with four pitches, showers and a sheltered kitchen area, from £750 for three nights
For miniature tractors
Secret Valley, Somerset
Trailer tours add a family-friendly element to the guided tours at this small winery, where most visitors stay in glamping accommodation. Children can visit miniature donkeys, ponies and alpacas, and the little ones will love tinkering around in a barn filled with mini tractors and diggers. For the more adventurous, there is an outdoor activity center next door. Trailer tours end in a wine tasting with games for children.
Drink: Secret Valley’s white wine is perfectly balanced with hints of sweet, refreshing citrus and a clean, dry finish
Stay: Secret Valley (01278 671945; secret-valley.co.uk) has cabins with hot tubs that sleep six from £215 a night
Discover our guide to Somerset
For cycling and pygmy goats
Kenton Park, Devon
Teenagers aged 14 and over can take on the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail on new electric mountain bikes available for hire at Kenton Park. Younger children, meanwhile, will enjoy the pygmy goats, sheep and ducks on the lake, before the family retires to one of Kenton’s thatched cottages so parents can enjoy a relaxed wine tasting while the children play.
Drink: Motley Cru Cheeky Fizz is made in the style of prosecco using the Charmat method
Stay: Nearby Lympstone Manor (lympstonemanor.co.uk) is a luxury country hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant and rooms from £395 a night
Discover our guide to Devon
For a sculpture park and miniature Edwardian village
Leonardslee Gardens, Sussex
Along with England’s first pinotage vineyard, Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens offers a sculpture park, a wallaby enclosure and a miniature Edwardian village, complete with adorable dollhouse characters. The kids’ favorite vineyard tastings are probably chocolate concoctions—just save some for yourself. However, lessons in opening a bottle of wine with a saber are best left to adults. Families can order picnics and pick them up from a bell tower.
Drink: Leonardslee Rosé is made with syrah and sauvignon blanc and has a distinctive acidity
Stay: The South Lodge Hotel (01403 891711; exclusive.co.uk ) is a few minutes away, with an elegant spa, quality restaurant and stylish rooms from £375 a night
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