Woolton Farm Vineyard & The Barn, Canterbury: English Wine, Cider and Family Events in the Heart of Kent
Tucked into the rolling Kentish countryside a short stroll from Bekesbourne station, Woolton Farm is a 100-year-old family estate that has quietly become one of the most exciting destinations in the Garden of England. With its own Conduit Vineyard producing English wines of real character, its sister Kentish Pip cidery, a rustic 14th-century Barn that hums with food, music and festivals, and a campsite that lets you roll out of your tent and into a glass of sparkling rosé, Woolton Farm is part vineyard, part cider house, part country pub and part family day out, all in one Kentish gem.
Woolton Farm Vineyard & The Barn - A Historic Kentish Estate in the Garden of England
Woolton Farm has been in the Mount family for more than a century, with each generation shaping the land into what visitors see today. The trading company behind the estate, H Mount and Sons Ltd, operates Woolton Farm alongside its sister business Kentish Pip, the craft cider brand that shares the same Bekesbourne site. Together the two sister ventures of wine and cider give the farm its dual identity and make it a one-stop shop for anyone wanting to taste the best of Kent in a single afternoon.
The most visible heart of the estate is The Barn, which opened in 2020 as a simple coffee shop and has since grown into a true family venue, hosting guided tastings, tours, pizza suppers, festivals, dog shows and live music weekends. Around it, the farm offers self-pitch camping, glamping bell tents and motorhome pitches within 200 metres of the bar, so a glass of wine, a pint of cider, or a breakfast coffee is never far away.
Location and How to Find Woolton Farm
Woolton Farm sits at Bekesbourne, just outside the historic cathedral city of Canterbury in Kent. The postcode is CT4 5EA, and Google Maps lists the venue as Woolton Farm, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5EA. The farm is only about 90 minutes from central London by train or car, making it a perfectly feasible day trip or weekend escape from the capital.
For visitors travelling by rail, Bekesbourne train station is just a 15-minute walk from the farm, with public footpaths on the estate that will guide you to neighbouring villages and a nearby wild animal park. For those driving, the rural lanes around Bekesbourne offer a quintessentially Kentish arrival through orchards, hop gardens and pasture.
For venue hire enquiries, the team can be reached by email at hello@wooltonfarm.co.uk or by phone on 01227 250 151 (office hours Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm).
Over 100 Years of Mount Family Farming
The Mount family's connection with this stretch of Kent goes back more than a hundred years, and every generation has added something new. The original farmstead sits beneath a 14th-century timber-framed barn that is still very much in use today - guests can sit at tables beneath its ancient rafters, while glamping bell tents look out across its handsome stone walls.
The modern face of the business is H Mount and Sons Ltd, which trades as Woolton Farm and operates the vineyard, The Barn, the campsite and the farm office. Its sister company, Kentish Pip Ltd, produces the award-winning Kentish Pip craft cider range that is sold both through the farm shop and via the brand's own online home at kentishpip.co.uk. The two businesses share resources, customers and a clear philosophy: to make top-quality English wine and cider in a way that is rooted in the place, the seasons and the people who farm it.
The Barn's evolution is a snapshot of how the family has invested in the estate. From a small coffee stop in 2020 it has grown into a kitchen serving freshly made sourdough pizza, a venue for hire, a tasting room for wine and cider flights, and a home for an annual programme of festivals, car shows and family days out. The campsite, also opened in 2020, has matured into a proper little getaway with hot showers, loos, electric pitches and a quiet rule after 10pm.
The Conduit Vineyard: Where English Wine Begins
The wines sold under the Woolton label all come from the estate's Conduit Vineyard, planted on the slopes above The Barn. English wine has boomed over the last decade as warmer summers and better clonal selection have made the South East one of the most exciting cool-climate wine regions in the world, and Woolton is part of that story.
The vineyard produces a tight portfolio of classic cool-climate varieties:
- Chardonnay - the backbone of still and sparkling wines, sourced from the Conduit Vineyard and whole-bunch pressed with wild yeast in French oak barriques.
- Pinot Noir - whole-bunch fermented on skins for 17 days and matured in French oak for 8 months, the same variety that anchors the Grand Reserve sparkling blend.
- Bacchus - a quintessentially English aromatic white, increasingly regarded as England's signature grape.
- Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - blended in the Traditional Method for the Grand Reserve Sparkling Rosé.
Every Woolton bottle is bottled in the standard 750ml format and labelled with vineyard, vintage and winemaking detail, so wine lovers can trace each wine back to the field it came from.
The Woolton Wine Range
The current Woolton wine range covers still whites, a still red, a rosé and a traditional-method sparkling rosé, all available through the Woolton Wine collection.
Woolton Bacchus 2021 - £18.00
A fresh, aromatic English white made from the Bacchus grape. It is part of the wider Woolton Wine collection and offers an accessible introduction to the estate's white wines at £18.00 per 750ml bottle.
Woolton Chardonnay 2022 - £21.00
The estate's flagship still white, billed as "a sumptuous wine to sip and savour." Aromas of stone and citrus fruit lead into a dry, fresh palate with light oak influence and a "pearly" finish. Made from 100% Chardonnay grown on the Conduit Vineyard, it is whole-bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeast in French oak barriques. The winery recommends pairing it with roast chicken, buttery Dover sole or a creamy risotto. ABV 12.5%. Buy the 2022 Chardonnay here.
Woolton Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2020 - £21.00
The more textured, oak-driven sibling of the standard Chardonnay. Mandarin zest on the nose, with hints of smoky vanilla and complementary barley notes. The palate is smooth and plush, showing stone fruit, nectarine and a ripe lime finish. ABV 12%. Available at £21.00 per 750ml bottle through the Woolton Barrel Fermented Chardonnay product page.
Woolton Rosé 2021 - £18.00
A pale, fresh rosé from the 2021 vintage, priced at £18.00 per bottle. Like the rest of the still range, it is available through the Woolton Wine collection.
Woolton Pinot Noir 2022 - £24.00
A bright and juicy English red bursting with fruit, subtle oak and spice. The winery describes it as "a flexible pairing partner from lamb chops and barbecue to mushroom and goats cheese." Made from 100% Pinot Noir grown on the Conduit Vineyard, it is whole-bunch fermented on skins for 17 days and matured in French oak for eight months. 12% ABV. Order the Pinot Noir here.
Woolton Grand Reserve Sparkling Rosé 2019 - £36.00
The headline wine in the range and the most expensive bottle in the shop at £36.00. Labelled as English Quality Sparkling Wine PDO Brut, this is a late-disgorged Traditional Method blend of 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay from the Conduit Vineyard. The winery recommends it "for toasting the most special moments." Alc 12.5% vol. View the full tasting notes and order on the Grand Reserve Sparkling Rosé product page.
Wine and Cider Tasting Flights at The Barn
For visitors who want to taste before they buy, or simply enjoy a leisurely flight in the country, Woolton Farm runs two structured tasting flights at The Barn:
- Five Wines - Tasting Flight at The Barn, priced at £22.00 per person, lets guests taste five of the current Woolton wines under one roof.
- Five Cider Tasting Flight at The Barn, priced at £18.00 per person, is the cider-lover's equivalent, presented in partnership with sister brand Kentish Pip.
Both flights can be booked via the Wine & Cider Flights at The Barn collection, and gift vouchers for the experience are also available through the Gift Ideas collection.
One tour customer, Justin Jackson, wrote: "Cannot say enough about how great the tour, experience, hospitality, cider & food were! If you're into cider, strongly recommend checking out their online shop & attending their next open house!"
Guided Tours of the Vineyard and Cidery
Woolton Farm and Kentish Pip offer two parallel guided tours through the summer, both hosted by the estate's own Howard:
- Woolton Wine Tour & Tasting 2026 - £22.00. A walking tour of the Conduit Vineyard and winemaking process, followed by a tutored tasting of Woolton wines. Book the wine tour here.
- Kentish Pip Cider Tour & Tasting 2026 - £22.00. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Kentish Pip cidery, with tastings of the craft cider range. Book the cider tour here.
Tour dates run through the summer and can be found at Events and Tours. Tours also make popular gifts - gift vouchers for both experiences can be bought through the Gift Ideas collection.
Events and Festivals Through the Year
Woolton Farm runs a packed calendar of seasonal events, from music festivals to dog shows and motoring weekends. Highlights for 2026 include:
Father's Day at The Barn
A relaxed family celebration on Father's Day itself (Sunday 21 June 2026). The Barn opens from 9am for breakfast, with pizzas from 12pm, live music from 12:30pm, kids' activities and a few surprises for dads. Tickets for the 2026 Father's Day event are sold out. Father's Day 2026 event page.
Classic Car & Bike Show
The fourth annual Woolton Farm Classic Car & Bike Show took place on Sunday 2 August 2026. Gates opened at 10am for entrants, with the public welcome all day to admire classic motors, eat sourdough pizza and enjoy live music from 12pm to 4pm. Awards included Best in Show (Car), Best in Show (Bike), People's Choice, Best Modification/Custom Build, Best Vintage (Pre-1980) and Furthest Travelled. Entry to look is free; those wishing to display a vehicle are asked to email hello@wooltonfarm.co.uk. Car & Bike Show 2026 event page.
Sound of Kent Festival
After sell-out editions in 2024 and 2025, the Sound of Kent Festival returns to Woolton Farm for a Bank Holiday weekend of live music on Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August 2026. The festival is dedicated to showcasing rising musical talent from across Kent, with music running from 12pm to 10:30pm each day and the festival itself open from 11am to 11pm. Adult (18+) tickets cost £5 in advance or £10 on the door; under 18s are free but still need a ticket. There's a kids' zone with a bouncy castle, garden games and face painting, plus self-pitch camping, glamping and a limited number of motorhome pitches reserved for festival ticket holders. Sound of Kent Festival 2026 event page.
Dogs of Woolton
A tail-wagging charity-friendly day for dogs and their humans on Saturday 5 September 2026. Expect specialty stalls, canine ice cream, face painting, food vendors and competitions for Best Dressed, Cutest Puppy, Best Trick and Waggiest Tail. All dogs are welcome on leads. Dogs of Woolton 2026 event page.
On-Site Accommodation: Camping, Glamping and Motorhomes
One of the things that makes Woolton Farm such a popular weekend escape is that you can stay on the farm itself. Within 200 metres of The Barn there are self-pitch camping pitches, glamping bell tents and motorhome pitches, all set in the Kentish countryside.
Booking is handled through a dedicated online booking portal at wooltonfarm.anytimebooking.eu. Full details and house rules are at the Staying with us 2026 page.
Self-Pitch Camping (Ellen's)
The self-pitch site, known as Ellen's, sits in the middle of the Kentish countryside. Each pitch is designed for one tent, so groups should book multiple pitches. The site provides free toilets and showers, two of each, plus bins and a camper kitchen with an extinguisher nearby. Fires and BBQs are allowed but must be off the ground. There's a quiet policy after 10pm. Guests are asked to check in at The Barn before pitching. Check-in is from 12pm, check-out by 10am.
Glamping Bell Tents
Nine bell tents are nestled in the garden orchard, looking out at the impressive 14th-century barn. Each tent comes with a double bed, bedding, lighting and a phone-charging point; extra bedding is BYO. Toilets and showers are a short walk away (around 50m at the furthest tent). The bell tent area has a no-open-flame policy. The bell tents have been refreshed with new beds, bedding and décor, and guests can stroll to The Barn for a glass of Woolton wine or a pint of Kentish Pip cider.
Motorhome Pitches
Motorhome pitches sit within the nursery orchard, surrounded by young apple trees - fittingly, given the cider connection. Expect peaceful countryside views, birdsong at dawn and some truly amazing sunsets. An ideal base for exploring the surrounding farmland and local attractions.
The Barn: Coffee, Pizza, Cider and Wine
At the centre of everything is The Barn, the café-bar-kitchen-venue that has put Woolton Farm on the map. It's open Wednesday to Sunday, including Bank Holiday Mondays, from March to October, and serves everything from morning coffee and breakfast through to evening drinks and sourdough pizza.
Throughout the week the kitchen team fires up the pizza oven and serves food alongside the wine list and a rotation of guest ciders and beers on tap. Tables can be booked in advance through the Book a table page. Live music is a regular feature, particularly during festival weekends and Friday and Saturday evenings.
Visitor Information and Opening Hours
Woolton Farm is only about 90 minutes from central London by train or car. From Bekesbourne station it's a 15-minute walk, with public footpaths on the estate that link to neighbouring villages and a nearby wild animal park.
The Barn and camping accommodations are open Wednesday to Sunday (including Bank Holiday Mondays) from April to October. Detailed hours:
- Wednesday: Barn 9am - 5pm, Kitchen 9am - 4pm (last orders 3:30pm), Check-in 12pm - 5pm.
- Thursday: Barn 9am - 5pm, Kitchen 9am - 4pm (last orders 3:30pm), Check-in 12pm - 5pm.
- Friday: Barn 9am - 9pm, Kitchen 9am - 8pm (last orders 7pm), Check-in 12pm - 8pm.
- Saturday: Barn 9am - 9pm, Kitchen 9am - 8pm (last orders 7pm), Check-in 12pm - 8pm.
- Sunday: Barn 9am - 5pm, Kitchen 9am - 4:30pm (last orders 4pm), Check-in 12pm - 5pm.
- Bank Holiday Monday: Barn 8am - 6pm, Kitchen 9am - 4:30pm (last orders 4pm).
A small farm shop also operates from the main farm office on Mondays and Tuesdays, 10am - 4pm. The venue is closed from November to March, though hours may vary due to events and weather. Full visitor details live at wooltonfarm.co.uk/pages/visitor-info.
Shop, Gift Vouchers and Shipping
Woolton Farm runs a full online shop powered by Shopify. Customers shopping for someone else can buy a Woolton Farm Digital Gift Card from £10.00, redeemable online or in The Barn from April to September. Gift cards are delivered by email, contain redemption instructions, carry no extra processing fees and are valid for 12 months from activation. They can be used towards cider and wine tours, tasting flights, food and drinks, but not accommodation. Buy a Woolton Farm gift card.
Other small gifts include the Woolton Farm Cotton Tea Towel at £7.50. The full gifting range is curated on the Gift Ideas collection page.
Shipping Policy
Orders are dispatched every Monday and Thursday on a next-day courier service, arriving on Tuesdays and Fridays respectively. Orders must be completed before 8am on the shipping day to be packed and dispatched in time. Standard UK mainland shipping is charged at a flat rate of £5.99 per order (inclusive of VAT), and free shipping promotions apply, including the banner offer of free shipping on wine orders over £60. An adult (18+) must be available to receive the delivery. Full terms are set out in the Shipping Policy.
Returns Policy
Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase for unused items in original packaging, with proof of purchase required. Sale items are non-refundable; defective items are replaced. Full details are set out in the Refund Policy.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you arrive for a morning tasting flight, an afternoon vineyard tour, a pizza-fuelled Saturday night in The Barn, a weekend of glamping and cider, or a Bank Holiday at the Sound of Kent Festival, Woolton Farm offers a complete Kentish experience in a single, very special place. The combination of a 100-year-old family farm, a working English vineyard and cidery, a 14th-century barn, and an entire calendar of family-friendly events is rare, and it's all within an hour and a half of London.
For bookings and enquiries:
- Woolton Farm, Bekesbourne, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5EA
- Email: hello@wooltonfarm.co.uk
- Phone: 01227 250 151 (office hours Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm)
- Website: wooltonfarm.co.uk
- Accommodation booking: wooltonfarm.anytimebooking.eu
- Facebook: facebook.com/wooltonfarm
- Instagram: @wooltonfarm