Visit a Sussex vineyard

How to plan a visit to a Sussex vineyard

The first decision is not which vineyard, but how you will get there and how you will stay within the law. Every open vineyard in Sussex requires advance booking (WSCC, 2025), and a standard tour lasts 1.5-2 hours (VisitBritain, 2025). You need a plan for transport, a plan for tasting, and a plan for what to ask.

Step one: choose your transport rule

The legal alcohol limit for driving in the UK is zero (UK drink-drive limit, 2025). If you are the driver, you cannot drink. If you are not the driver, you need a driver who will not drink. There is no middle ground.

Option A: Designated driver, One person stays on soft drinks. The driver can still join the tour and listen to the production talk; they just do not taste. Many vineyards offer a designated-driver ticket at a lower price. Check when booking.

Option B: Train and taxi, West Sussex has railway stations at Arundel, Barnham, Billingshurst, Hassocks, Lewes, Pulborough, and Shoreham-by-Sea (National Rail, 2025). Several vineyards are within a short taxi ride of these stations. Train timetables change twice a year (May and December), so check the National Rail website for the day you plan to travel. Sunday services can be reduced, and engineering works may replace trains with buses.

Option C: Overnight stay, Book accommodation near the vineyard so nobody drives afterwards. This option works best if you are visiting from outside the area.

Option D: Pre-booked taxi, If you are in a group, pre-book a return taxi. Do not rely on a local rank; rural West Sussex has limited taxi availability, especially on Sunday afternoons.

Step two: choose a vineyard by location

West Sussex had 24 vineyards in 2025 (WSCC), of which 15 lie within the South Downs National Park (SDNPA, 2025). The county is a patchwork of chalk downland, river valleys, and coastal plain, and the vineyard character changes with the geology.

• West Sussex, The county has the largest number of vineyards in the South East. Most grow the classic sparkling wine grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, plus still varieties such as Bacchus, Seyval Blanc, and Reichensteiner (WSCC, 2025). Sparkling wine production follows the traditional method (SDNPA, 2025).

• South Downs, Vineyards on the chalk scarp and dip slope benefit from free-draining soils and south-facing slopes. These are the most scenic settings, but access roads can be narrow. Check the vineyard’s website for parking instructions.

• Chichester, The city is a rail hub (London Victoria to Chichester via Horsham) and a good base for visiting several vineyards in the coastal plain and lower Downs. The A27 runs east, west and can be congested on summer weekends.

• Arundel, Arundel station is on the same line. Vineyards near Arundel are within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the town. Arundel is also a destination in its own right, so you can combine a vineyard visit with the castle or the Wetland Centre.

• Worthing, Worthing has a station on the Brighton line and a handful of vineyards in the surrounding countryside. The coastal plain here is flatter, and some vineyards are close to the A27.

Step three: ask the right production questions

When you book a tour, you are paying for access to the winemaker’s knowledge. Use it. Here is a short list of questions that will tell you more than any label can:

• Which clone of Chardonnay/Pinot Noir do you grow, and why?, Different clones suit different soils and climates. The answer will tell you whether the vineyard is aiming for a particular style.
• What rootstock are your vines on?, Rootstock affects vigour, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. Chalk soils often use low-vigour rootstocks to control growth.
• When do you start picking, and how do you decide?, Harvest in West Sussex runs from late September to October (Met Office, 2025), but the exact date depends on sugar levels, acidity, and weather. A good winemaker will talk about tasting the grapes in the field.
• How long do you age on lees?, For sparkling wine, lees ageing adds complexity. The traditional method requires a minimum of 15 months for non-vintage, but many producers age for three years or more.
• What is your biggest challenge each year?, The answer might be spring frost, summer rain, or deer. It reveals the local climate and the vineyard’s resilience.

Step four: use the checklist

Before you book, confirm these four points on the vineyard’s own website:

1. Booking required?, Yes, all open vineyards require advance booking (WSCC, 2025). Do not turn up unannounced.
2. Tasting included?, Some tours include a tasting; others charge extra. Check what is in the ticket price.
3. Minimum age?, The legal drinking age is 18 (UK law, 2025). Some vineyards allow under-18s on the tour but not the tasting. Check in advance.
4. Dog policy?, Many vineyards allow well-behaved dogs on leads, but not all. If you are bringing a dog, confirm it before booking.

Step five: what to do after the tour

A vineyard tour is a short activity, 1.5 to 2 hours (VisitBritain, 2025). Plan the rest of your day around it. Nearby options include:

• A walk on the South Downs Way, which runs through the national park and passes near several vineyards.
• A visit to a National Trust property such as Petworth House or Wakehurst.
• Lunch at a pub in a nearby market town such as Steyning, Midhurst, or Pulborough.
• A coastal walk at Chichester Harbour or Pagham Harbour, but check tide times first.

The one thing to get right

The most common mistake is assuming you can turn up, taste, and drive away. You cannot. The second most common mistake is assuming the vineyard is near a station and walkable. Some are; most are not. Use the train timetable and the vineyard’s location page together. If the vineyard is more than 1.5 km from the station, you will need a taxi or a driver.