Vineyards and breweries

Kent’s fertile soil provides just the right conditions for plants and fruit to flourish, hence the county’s fame for orchards, hops and vineyards – and Kent is leading the way in the renaissance of English wines. Tours, tips and tastings make for memorable days out.

For a scenic day out, tour the mid-Kent and Low Weald ‘fruit belts’, then investigate how apples turn into liquid sunshine – Kentish ciders and apple juice – at Biddenden Vineyards and Cider Works. It’s Kent’s oldest commercial vineyard and a tranquil place to walk amid 22 acres of vines.

Tours and tastings are also scrumptious fun at Chapel Down Winery, Tenterden, and Lamberhurst Vineyard, near Tunbridge Wells, both leaders in the recent renaissance of English still and sparkling wines. They each have bistros and The Swan gastro pub is on the edge of Lamberhurst’s vineyard, perfect for a leisurely meal.

Work up a thirst with a visit to Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame. A tour of the brewery in the market town of Faversham reveals the process ‘from hop to hand-pump and barley to bottle’.

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