Biddenden Vineyards Limited

Discover a Kentish estate where a Woman's Hour broadcast inspired the family to transform apple orchards into Kent's original commercial vineyard, now crafting pioneering wines, ciders, and juices.

https://www.biddendenvineyards.com

Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, TN27 8DF Get directions

Nearest station: Rolvenden (4.0 miles).

Public tours

Private tours

Self-guided tours

Tasting room

Dog friendly

Child friendly

Online shop

Winery on site

Walking trail

Disabled access

Award-winning

Open year-round

While we update listings frequently, we suggest confirming important details with the vineyard to avoid any surprises.

What's the vibe

Biddenden Vineyards offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a leisurely visit to Kent's original vineyard. This charming, family-run estate is set within picturesque grounds, creating a serene backdrop for exploring and enjoying English wines.

Visiting information

Opening Hours & Shop:

The Vineyard Shop is open year-round, offering their award-winning wines, ciders, juices, and a selection of local artisan food and drink products. Note that the shop is closed on Sundays in January and February.Tours & Tastings:

You can explore the vineyard through:

Self-Guided Tours: Available daily from May to September. No pre-booking is required; simply purchase your guide booklet and tasting flight at the Vineyard Shop.
Open Guided Tours: These run Wednesday to Saturday from May to September, with additional sessions on selected Sundays in June, July, and August. These small group tours (up to 10 people) delve into the vineyard's history, grape varieties, growing methods, and include a visit to the on-site winery followed by a tutored tasting of three selected wines. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and pre-booking is required.
Private Guided Tours: Available Wednesday to Saturday from May to September for groups of up to 6 or 8 people, these are pre-booked experiences.

Food & Drink:

The coffee shop is open daily, serving a selection of locally produced cakes. For groups on pre-booked tours, ploughman's lunches, cream teas, and deli-style sharing platters can be pre-ordered. Sharing boards of local cheese and charcuterie can also be ordered on the day in the Vineyard Shop to complement your visit.
Special Events:

Biddenden hosts an annual food day every second Sunday in June, showcasing local Kentish produce. The Christmas gift shop is a feature during December.
Accessibility & Family/Pet Policy:

Children are welcome at the vineyard. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are permitted on the vineyard walks and in the yard, but only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside the vineyard shop. The vineyard is accessible to disabled visitors with ramp/level access and disabled toilets.

The Wine

Biddenden Vineyards, Kent's original commercial vineyard established in 1969, produces a diverse range of still and sparkling English wines. Across its 23 acres, the vineyard cultivates 11 to 12 different grape varieties, including Ortega, which is Biddenden's signature wine and accounts for approximately half of the vineyard's production. In addition to wines, Biddenden also produces traditional Kentish cider and a unique range of apple and pear juices.

The vineyard's commitment to quality is consistently recognised. Biddenden's wines have won numerous accolades, including four bronze medals at the 2021 WineGB Awards for wines such as Biddenden Bacchus 2018 and Gribble Bridge Dornfelder 2020. More recently, at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards, they received a Silver medal for their Pinot Reserve 2018 and two Bronze medals for Biddenden Ortega 2021 and Schönburger 2021.

Viticulture Practices:

Biddenden Vineyards is proudly certified sustainable by WineGB. They implement regenerative farming practices, focusing on biodiversity and soil conservation through methods like cover cropping, which helps enhance soil nitrogen and reduces the need for chemical interventions. No insecticides are used, preserving local wildlife, and a rainwater harvesting system is in place to reduce reliance on mains water.

Winery:

All viticultural work, including pruning and picking, is carried out by hand on the estate to ensure optimal grape quality. The entire winemaking process, from pressing and fermentation to bottling, is completed on-site, producing around 80,000 bottles annually.

Getting here

By Car:

Biddenden Vineyards is located on the outskirts of Biddenden village and offers free on-site parking.

By Public Transport:

The nearest train station is Headcorn, which is approximately a 10-minute taxi ride from the vineyard. Regular train services to Headcorn are available from London. The nearest bus stop is Castletons Oak, about an 11-minute walk away.

What's nearby

Notable Restaurants:
- The Three Chimneys Country Pub: An multi-award-winning historic pub in Biddenden, offering locally sourced seasonal dishes and a selection of ales, wines, and spirits. Visit Website
- The Bakehouse Biddenden: A family-owned licensed café in Biddenden village, known for its locally sourced ingredients, including breakfast and lunch options, and sweet treats. Visit Website
Notable Hotels:
- King Hotel Tenterden: A modern hotel in Tenterden offering comfortable rooms with contemporary décor, free WiFi, and a restaurant, located a short drive from the vineyard. Visit Website
- Little Dane Court: A charming 550-year-old guesthouse in the centre of Tenterden, offering luxurious accommodation and an oriental garden. Visit Website
Notable Attractions:
- Sissinghurst Castle Garden: A world-renowned garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, featuring a series of themed outdoor rooms. Visit Website
- Kent & East Sussex Railway: A heritage railway offering steam train rides between Tenterden Town and Bodiam, providing a nostalgic journey through the countryside. Visit Website