Kingscote Vineyard

Nestled in a quiet valley on the edge of the High Weald in West Sussex, Kingscote Estate & Vineyard is one of England's quietly distinctive family wineries. With more than 70 acres of vines in production, an additional 90 acres of woodland, lakes and orchards, and a heritage that stretches back to a 14th-century iron-master's house, the estate has evolved into a complete rural destination: vineyard tours and tastings, a wine shop and café housed in a 15th-century tithe barn, four seasonal walking trails, a pair of coarse-fishing lakes, and a two-bedroom self-catering cottage for guests who want to linger longer.

A Family-Run Vineyard in the Heart of West Sussex

Kingscote describes itself, plainly and proudly, as a family-owned vineyard. The estate is run from Mill Place Farm on Vowels Lane, between East Grinstead and the famous Bluebell Steam Railway, with the vines climbing the surrounding slopes. The aim of the team is straightforward: "to bring finesse and quality to every glass." Sustainability is taken seriously - the vineyard has been farmed organically since 2019, and the broader estate is managed with the same long-term view, including an organic apple orchard and kilometres of natural woodland walks that have been left for native flora and fauna.

For visitors, what sets Kingscote apart is the combination of a working commercial vineyard with a genuinely historic English landscape. The Bluebell Railway - a heritage steam line that runs between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead - passes through the estate, and guests regularly see its locomotives winding past the vines. The rolling hills, river, lakes and woodland make it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like a country estate that happens to make very good English wine.

The Vineyard: 70 Acres of Organically Farmed Vines

Kingscote's vineyard covers more than 70 acres, planted with several different grape varietals - enough scale to produce a significant number of bottles each year. The slopes face south and south-east, and the combination of free-draining greensand and clay-with-flints soils, together with the relatively dry, warm microclimate of the upper Medway valley, has proven well suited to the classic Champagne varieties as well as the more aromatic English grapes.

Organic conversion began in 2019. The team treats sustainability as fundamental rather than fashionable: protecting the beauty and quality of the land underpins everything from soil health to long-term wine character. That ethos carries through to the wines themselves, which are described as "true to our estate" - designed to reflect the specific place they come from rather than chase international trends.

Grape Varieties in the Ground

• Meunier - the principal variety in the flagship Brut N.V. and the Rosé Brut N.V.
• Chardonnay - used in the Brut N.V. blend and bottled as a single-variety still Chardonnay.
• Pinot Noir - the supporting red variety in the Rosé Brut N.V.
• Bacchus - the aromatic white that defines Kingscote's still wine range.
• Sauvignon Blanc (English-grown) and Pinot Blanc - blended in the Sauvignon Blanc 2020.

The 160-Acre Estate Beyond the Vines

The vineyard sits within a 160-acre estate that is itself a draw for visitors. Beyond the rows of vines, the landscape includes:

• An organic apple orchard, planted and managed alongside the vines.
• Two coarse-fishing lakes (the Leggett Lakes), set among ancient woodland.
• A winding river and more than five kilometres of natural woodland walks.
• Views of the historic Bluebell steam train, which passes through the valley.
• Abundant wildlife, including herons, kingfishers, dragonflies and nesting waterfowl, thrives across the estate.

The visitor centre, wine shop and café are housed in and around a 15th-century tithe barn - a heritage structure that has been carefully restored to host wine tastings, conferences, weddings and private events. The setting is the kind of place where you can sit with a glass of English sparkling wine, watch a steam locomotive drift past the vines, and feel a long way from anywhere.

A Layered History: From Iron Masters to English Wine

Kingscote's land carries a deeper history than most vineyards. The farmhouse at the heart of the estate was built in 1320 as an iron-master's house, a reminder that this corner of the Weald was once one of the most important iron-producing regions in medieval England. Later, in the early 1930s, the farm was owned by William Robinson, the famous horticulturist widely regarded as the father of the English country garden, who cultivated more than 1,000 acres here under the Gravetye estate. Robinson's influence on the natural, "gardenesque" planting style can still be seen in the way the woodlands and orchard have been allowed to develop.

The visitor centre itself was constructed using materials and craftsmanship drawn directly from that heritage, with the original 15th-century tithe barn preserved at its core. Today, the barn hosts the main tasting and dining space - a building that has welcomed people for more than 500 years.

The Wines

Kingscote's range is deliberately tight: a small, focused portfolio of English sparkling and still wines that showcase the estate's terroir. All wines are made on-site at the estate's winery.

English Sparkling Wines

• Brut N.V. - 75% Meunier and 25% Chardonnay, 11.5% vol, in a 75cl bottle. Described as "an exceptional expression of an original method English sparkling wine", with bright, sumptuous flavours of the English kitchen garden, gooseberry, apple and hints of rose. £30 per bottle.
• Rosé Brut N.V. - 65% Meunier and 35% Pinot Noir, 12% vol. Fresh acidity and English summer fruit - raspberry, strawberry and shortbread. £30 per bottle, or from £10 for the multi-buy Kingscote Rosé Brut NV case.

Why Meunier Works in Sussex

Meunier (also known as Pinot Meunier) is the same red grape that gives so many Champagnes their soft, fruity character. Its early budding and relatively short ripening cycle suit the English climate well, and it gives Kingscote's sparkling wines a recognisably English-fruited profile - closer to hedgerow berries than to tropical fruit. The Chardonnay component adds precision and a clean, lacy finish.

English Still Wines

• Bacchus 2017 - 100% Bacchus, 11.5% vol. "A great expression of English Bacchus" - bold and aromatic with classic notes of apple, elderflower and gooseberry, crisp acidity and a lingering finish. £19 per bottle.
• Chardonnay 2019 - 100% Chardonnay, 11% vol. Dry, lightly oaked and refreshing, with a rich, buttery nose and a palate of lemon sherbet, green apple and a soft creamy finish. £19 per bottle.
• Sauvignon Blanc 2020 - a blend of English-grown Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc, 12.5% vol. Aromatic nose of jasmine and blackcurrant; exotic fruits on the palate; crisp, moreish finish. Pairs naturally with fish and chips. £21 per bottle.

Sparkling wines are available via the Sparkling Wines collection; still wines via the Still Wines collection; and the full range at the Kingscote online wine shop.

Tours & Tastings

The flagship visitor experience at Kingscote is a 90-minute guided vineyard tour and tutored tasting, run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The format is gentle, informative and very English: guests start with a glass of wine in hand, stroll out into the award-winning vines to learn about a year in the life of the vine, taste a couple of still whites amongst the rows, and then move into the winery to see the grape-to-glass process - including the specific techniques Kingscote uses for both still and sparkling production.

Tour Formats and Voucher Prices

• Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting - guided tour plus five wines to taste along the route. £25 per person. Buy voucher.
• Vineyard Tour & Tasting With Cream Tea - guided tour, five wines, and a home-made cream tea afterwards. £33 per person. Buy voucher.
• Vineyard Tour & Tasting With Lunch - guided tour, five wines, and a home-made seasonal lunch. £40 per person. Buy voucher.

Vouchers are printed and shipped to the buyer; the recipient then uses the Redeem Voucher page to choose a date. Tours can also be booked directly through the Kingscote booking system at booking.bookinghound.cloud.

Practical Tour Information

• Children are welcome; under-12s go free, 13 to 17-year-olds receive a discounted price (tours are otherwise treated as adult experiences).
• Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the wine shop and gardens on a lead, and throughout the woodland walks; only assistance dogs are allowed on vineyard tours.
• The vineyard has disabled access; please mention any assistance required when booking.
• Free parking is available on-site.
• Tours are only in English; private tours can be arranged by calling 01342 327535.
• Cancellations within 48 hours of a tour attract a £7.50 administration fee per person.
• Tours only run in extreme weather; otherwise, wellies and an umbrella are recommended.

The winery also accepts walk-in tastings every day without a booking, but the guided tour and tutored tasting must be booked in advance.

Dine at the Tithe Barn

Food at Kingscote is served from the restored Tithe Barn, which the team describes as offering "the rustic charm of Kingscote Estate." The kitchen celebrates local Sussex produce, with a menu designed for relaxed lunches and long, slow afternoons overlooking the vines.

Food and Drink Service Times

• Hot food: 10am - 3pm, daily, no booking required.
• Hot drinks: 10am - 4:30pm.
• Cold drinks: 10am - 5pm.
• Wine and other drinks are served throughout the day.

The kitchen caters for vegetarians, vegans and most common allergens, though - as is standard - it cannot 100% guarantee the absence of allergen traces. Sample menus (PDF) can be viewed from the Dine With Us page, including the Lunch Menu, Wine List, and the Ice Cream, Hot Drinks and Cold Drinks menus.

Walking Trails

Kingscote maintains four walking routes across the estate, all open year-round and free to use. The trails are well-marked, dog-friendly (where indicated), and downloadable maps and walkthroughs are available on the Walking Trail page.

• Vineyard Loop - 1.98 km / ~40 minutes. Easy. A gentle walk through the vineyard with countryside views. Dog friendly.
• Estate Trail - 2.72 km / ~45 minutes. Moderate. Woodland paths and open fields across the wider estate. Dog friendly.
• Weirwood Reservoir - 8.83 km / ~2 hrs 30 mins. Moderate. A peaceful stroll along the reservoir, with wildlife-spotting opportunities. Dog friendly.
• Hilltop Challenge - 7 km / ~2 hours. Hard. A more demanding climb rewarded with panoramic views across the estate.

Walking the Seasons

Each season gives the estate a different character: wildflower meadows in spring (March - May), lush canopies and grape development in summer (June - August), harvest activity and autumn colour in September - November, and crisp winter walks revealing the architecture of the bare vines from December - February.

What to Bring

Sturdy walking boots or wellies, weather-appropriate layers, water and snacks, a printed or downloaded trail map, a dog lead and waste bags, and a camera are recommended for the trails - the views are worth it.

Coarse Fishing at the Leggett Lakes

The estate's two fishing lakes - the Leggett Lakes - sit within the rolling countryside of the Kingscote Valley, surrounded by ancient woodland, the organic apple orchard and the wider network of walking trails. Clear water, abundant bankside wildlife (herons, kingfishers, dragonflies) and the sight of the Bluebell Railway passing in the distance make this one of the more peaceful places to fish in West Sussex.

Species in the Lakes

• Carp - the resident species, described as "sovereign of still water."
• Perch - "tiger of the shallows."
• Bream - "ghost of the deep margins."
• Rudd - "glided in summer light."
• Roach - "silver dart of the reeds."

Fishing Ticket Prices

• Adult half day - £10
• Adult full day - £20
• Child half day - £5
• Child full day - £10
• Student - £10

Day tickets start from £5 and are available to buy online via the Fishing Tickets collection. Opening hours are dawn till dusk, seven days a week. Public toilets are provided on site.

Important Fishing Rules

• All anglers must hold a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence.
• A maximum of three rods per person is permitted.
• Strictly barbless hooks only; large landing nets and unhooking mats are required.
• This is a strict catch-and-release fishery - no fish may be removed from the estate.
• Zero-tolerance litter policy; no dogs on the fishery grounds.
• Under-16s must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
• Permits are non-transferable and fishing is at the angler's own risk.

Stay at the Coach House

For guests who want to turn a day visit into a weekend, Kingscote offers a beautifully presented two-bedroom detached cottage called the Coach House, set in the heart of the vineyard. Following a recent luxury refurbishment, the cottage is described as "a delightful rural getaway for couples, friends and families," within the West Sussex High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, next to the Bluebell Steam Railway. Stays are booked via Airbnb; the live listing link can be found on the Stay With Us page.

Events at Kingscote

Kingscote runs a full calendar of events on top of its regular tours, dining and fishing. Recent and upcoming events have included:

• Vineyard Tours & Tutored Tastings - every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 90 minutes. Bookable through the standard booking system.
• Paint & Sip - beginner-friendly paint workshops run by "It's Easel If You Try," hosted on the estate.
• Cream Tea with Alison Weir - a ticketed afternoon (£40 per ticket) with the bestselling historical novelist, in partnership with East Grinstead Bookshop, including a signed copy of her book, tea or coffee, scone and cake.
• Alfresco Actors outdoor theatre - the company performs Wodehouse adaptations (such as Jeeves and Wooster: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves) in the grounds, with optional cream tea picnic boxes. Suitable for ages 10 and up.
• Pizza Sundays with The Safari Pizza Co - relaxed, no-booking-needed afternoons of wood-fired pizzas, estate wines and views.
• Breakfast Baps - a winter pop-up with hot drinks, available during the colder months.

The estate can also host private tours, hen and stag dos, corporate events and other special occasions - see the gift vouchers section or call 01342 327535 to arrange.

Wine Shop & Online Orders

Kingscote wines are available to buy directly through the online wine shop at the winery, from The Wine Caverns (an online partner), and from the on-site wine shop in the Tithe Barn.

Delivery Options

• UK Mainland: £5.95 for orders under £75; free delivery over £75; 3 - 5 working days.
• Click and collect: free from a group retail location or the vineyard (next-day collection on orders placed before 1pm).
• Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man: +£12 surcharge, 1 - 2 extra shipping days.
• Republic of Ireland: +£10 surcharge, 1 - 2 extra shipping days.

Wine is also available in mixed-price multi-buy promotions (for example, the Kingscote Rosé Brut NV multi-buy starts from £10 per bottle). Gift cards are available in denominations of £10, £15, £20, £25, £30, £50, £75 and £100.

Plan Your Visit

Kingscote is located off Vowels Lane, near East Grinstead in West Sussex. Follow the brown tourism signs for "Kingscote Estate." Free parking is available on-site for all visitors.

Getting There

• By car - follow brown tourism signs to "Kingscote Estate" off Vowels Lane.
• By train - the nearest mainline station is East Grinstead (around 10 minutes by taxi, with direct services from London Victoria). Kingscote is also a short walk from Kingscote station on the heritage Bluebell Railway.
• On foot from Kingscote station - a gentle 20-minute stroll north along Vowels Lane.
• On foot from East Grinstead - around 1 hour 10 minutes via local footpaths.

Opening Hours

The estate is open seven days a week, 10:00am - 5:00pm. Tour times vary; see the booking page for current slots. The estate is also active on Facebook and Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are children welcome?

Children are welcome on tours at a discounted rate (under-12s go free), although Kingscote describes its tour experiences as primarily adult in nature.

Are dogs welcome?

Dogs on leads are welcome in the wine shop, gardens and on the woodland walks. Only assistance dogs are permitted on vineyard tours. No dogs are allowed at the fishery.

Is there parking?

Yes - free parking is available on-site for all visitors.

Is the vineyard accessible?

Yes. Kingscote has disabled access and the team is happy to help visitors who need assistance. The estate is a working vineyard, so there is some uneven ground; please mention any assistance required when booking.

Do I need to book a wine tasting?

Walk-in tastings are available daily; only the guided vineyard tour and tutored tasting require advance booking.

Can I book a private tour?

Private tours are available for individuals, groups, hen and stag dos and corporate events. Call 01342 327535 to arrange.

Are the tours available in other languages?

Tours are currently only offered in English.

Contact

• General enquiries: info@kingscoteestate.com
• Marketing enquiries: marketing@kingscoteestate.com
• Phone: 01342 327535
• Address: Mill Place Farm, Vowels Lane, East Grinstead, RH19 4LG, United Kingdom
• Find Us: kingscoteestate.com/pages/find-us
• FAQ: kingscoteestate.com/pages/faq
• Gallery: kingscoteestate.com/pages/gallery

Careers

Kingscote regularly recruits across vineyard, kitchen and front-of-house roles. Current vacancies - including Chef, Front of House, Vineyard Tour Guide and Kitchen Porter - are listed on the Careers page. The team's mission is to "craft exceptional wines that reflect the unique character of our estate and the passion of our team," and its vision is to be recognised as a leading English vineyard celebrated for quality, sustainability and memorable experiences.