Biddenden Vineyards
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Head to Kent's oldest independent winery, halfway between Royal Tunbridge Wells and Ashford
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Pick up a leaflet and make your own way round the well-ordered vineyards
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Book onto one of Biddenden's regular vineyard tours
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Find out what makes Biddenden one of the UK's best red wine producers
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See the brightly coloured Biddenden van head off on its wine & cider deliveries
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Finish with a taste of Biddenden's speciality: the textured, lightly spicy Ortega grape
Features
Tours
Café and/or Restaurant
Shop
Wheelchair Access
Dog Friendly
Public Transport within 5 miles
Accommodation
Tour details
Individual
Free tours twice a month. Check here for next available date. Includes a trip around the fields, the winery and sampling in the shop.
Harvest
Free guided tours
Groups
Ticket price includes a glass of wine as well as a chance to sample the wines, cider and apple juice.
Pre-booking essential. Minimum of 15.
Vineyard Supper tours are also available.
Joint Group Visits
Prices vary, min 15 adults, see web for more details.
- NEW for 2012, a joint visit with Kent's oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame
- Kentish Cheese & Wine – start at Biddenden & finish at Winterdale Cheesemakers
- Oasts & Toasts with the Hop Farm Family Park – begin with wine & cider at Biddenden & finish with the history of hops
- Vines, Wines & Railway Lines with Kent & East Sussex Railway
- The Lake and the Grape – sail on Bewl Water, lunch, vineyard tour & cream tea
- Narrow Lines & Wines with The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
- Garden Delights & Vineyard Sights with Pashley Manor Gardens
Shop
The shop stocks a good variety of local produce, such as honeys, chutneys, jams and biscuits, with a different product taking the Local Guest tasting spot each week.
Accommodation
The charming Vineyard Loft. Self-catering accommodation for two with a balcony view over the vineyards.
Public Transport
Train: Headcorn, 4 miles
Opening times
All year
Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun & Bank Hols: 11am-5pm
Closed
2 weeks over Christmas period
Sundays during Jan and Feb
Sustenance
As well as being able to buy glasses of Biddenden wine, teas and coffee are available for the Designated Driver and ice creams for the young and young at heart.
A variety of food options are available for group bookings
Wheelchair access
Yard area and, in good weather, parts of the vineyard
Dogs: on a lead in outside areas
Prices
Adults: £5.40
Students, 12-17: £4.50
Children 5-11: £1
Get in Touch
Tel: 01580 291726
Email: info@biddendenvineyards.com
www.biddendenvineyards.com
Facebook: Biddenden Vineyards
Originally the site of cider orchards, Kent’s oldest commercial winery also produces good cider and apple juice. Set in a beautiful location near the Wealden village of Biddenden, half way between Royal Tunbridge Wells and Ashford, admission to this well-established vineyard is free, as is tasting in the well-stocked shop. You can follow a couple of well-marked routes around the 22 acres of vines in this 70-acre estate, or get together a group for a guided tour or vineyard supper visit.
Or check out the tours which join up with other Kentish attractions, for example, a trip on the Kent & East Sussex steam train, or, a visit to Winterdale Cheesemakers and, new for 2012, a joint visit with Kent's oldest brewery, Shepherd Neame. See the Information tab above.
There are castles galore and the delights of Sissinghurst Gardens but a short drive away. And for those who just can’t leave, book into the Vineyard Loft for a peaceful night away from it all.
A duo to try
- Gribble Bridge Rosé – I’m a great fan. Great colour, perfect mix of strawberries and refreshing crispness.
- Ortega – In owner/winemaker Julian Barnes’ capable hands, this distinctively spicy white does particularly well.
Silverware
- Best Kent Cider Maker – Taste of Kent awards 2010
- Ortega 2008 – Best Wine, Taste of Kent Awards 2009
- Gribble Bridge Ortega 2010 – Gold, Sommelier Wine Awards 2012
Key Annual Events
- Easter Sunday Bunny Hunt
- Taste the Best of Kent, June
- The Kent Show, July & many other events in the South-East, see here.
Community
Biddenden supports the Kent Air Ambulance
Trade Bodies
PINK, ATTA, Visit Kent, ATAK
Visited Spring 2009