Your English wine day starts at London Bridge. This 8-hour outing is built around guided tastings at two English vineyards, then a structured wine-and-cheese pairing that helps you understand what you’re tasting, not just drink it.

I especially like how the day moves from winery to winery with clear stops. At Wayfarer Wines you get an early, guided look at an English producer; later at Chapel Down you shift from countryside views to tastings of their sparkling and still wines. The final big highlight is the seated pairing at Silcocks Farm Shop, where the cheese-maker angle and the one-to-one wine pairing make the flavors easier to remember.

One thing to plan for: it’s a full alcohol-forward experience for adults 18+, and anything beyond the included lunch and specified drinks is not part of the price.

Key Things I’d Prioritize on This Tour

• Two guided vineyard tastings with structured time at Wayfarer Wines and Chapel Down
• Chapel Down picnic lunch with wine served in the winery grounds
• Silcocks organic farm learning + a seated pairing of 6 English wines with 6 English cheeses
• Small group size (max 20) so the day feels paced, not rushed and chaotic
• London-to-Kent transport included, so you spend your energy tasting, not navigating

A Fast Kent Food-and-Wine Day From London Bridge

This tour is timed for an easy start: you meet at English Grounds (SE1 2HU), opposite London Bridge Station, with departure set for 9:00 am. You’re back at the same meeting point at the end of the day, so you don’t have to figure out train times or rides across the county.

The tour runs about 8 hours, and the group is kept to up to 20 travelers. That matters more than it sounds. A small group usually means you get clearer explanations during tastings and less time standing around waiting for people to catch up. It’s also offered in English, which helps if you want the guide’s guidance without gaps.

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, and the tour operates in all weather conditions. In other words, bring something that works when Kent weather does what Kent weather does—change its mind quickly.

Wayfarer Wines: Guided Tasting With a Small Producer Feel

The morning begins with a guided tasting at Wayfarer Wines. The day’s pace is designed so you’re tasting early rather than spending the first hour just traveling and then rushing the fun.

Wayfarer is described as a small producer that’s making big things happen. What you can take from that, as a visitor, is the chance to hear more than just tasting notes. With smaller producers, the story often comes through in how the wines are made and why they’re made that way—especially in a guided session where you can ask questions.

In practical terms, this is the kind of stop where you’ll learn how to taste. The guide-led format makes it easier to connect aroma and flavor to what’s actually in the glass, instead of guessing on your own. If you’re a wine fan who’s new to English wines, this first winery is a good on-ramp.

Possible consideration: the day has multiple tastings, so go into this stop ready to pace yourself. You’ll be happier later when you still have a clear palate for the cheese pairing.

Chapel Down Winery and the Chalk Soil Story

After Wayfarer, you head out of London into the Kent North Downs, where chalk soils shape much of the growing conditions. You’ll get the sense that the land is part of the wine-making conversation, not just scenery.

Then you arrive at Chapel Down, a winery located in the 15th-century shipbuilding port of Small Hythe. That detail isn’t just trivia. It frames Chapel Down as part of a long-lived place, not a brand built in isolation.

At Chapel Down, you’ll get a fully guided tasting that includes both sparkling and still wines. You’ll also explore the vineyard and learn about English viticulture, which is useful if you want to understand how English vineyards work rather than just compare bottles.

A guided vineyard walk and explanation also help you notice things you’d otherwise miss. When you know what the soil type and climate challenges are, you’re more likely to taste for structure, balance, and freshness. You don’t have to be a wine expert to benefit—your guide does the translating.

Drawback to keep in mind: this stop is a key part of the tastings, and the day continues right after. If you’re the type who likes breaks between alcohol servings, you’ll want to lean into the lunch stop as your reset point later.

Vineyard Views, Then Picnic Lunch With a Glass of Wine

Chapel Down isn’t just about tasting. You also get a locally sourced picnic lunch in the grounds of Chapel Down. The lunch includes a glass of English wine, which is a smart inclusion because it keeps the day flowing without you paying extra for pairing-friendly drinks.

This is also where the tour pacing works for many people. You’re not switching locations every few minutes. After tastings and a vineyard visit, you sit down, eat, and let your palate reset.

Because lunch is described as locally sourced, you should expect the food to be in line with the region’s offerings, not generic tour-bus sandwiches. You’ll get a proper meal, not just a snack, which makes the afternoon cheese pairing far more enjoyable.

Practical tip: since other food and drinks aren’t included unless specified, treat this lunch as your main fueling moment. If you have special dietary needs, let the operator know when booking so they can plan for you.

Silcocks Organic Farm: Cheese Making Lessons and the 6-and-6 Pairing

The last stop turns up the education. You’ll visit Silcocks Farm Shop and Café, described as a pure organic farm. Here, you learn about the cheese-making process first—before the tastings start.

That order is the secret sauce for this stop. If you understand how cheese is made, you taste with more confidence. You notice textures, you pick up on differences in richness or tang, and you’re less likely to treat the pairing as random luck.

Then comes the highlight many people talk about: a seated guided tasting pairing 6 English wines with 6 English cheeses. It’s structured, so you’re not doing the work of figuring out which wine goes with which cheese. Instead, the guide walks you through the logic of pairing, which makes the tasting far more memorable.

For wine lovers, this is the best part because you see how flavor changes when you match it with something dairy-based. For cheese lovers, it’s equally valuable: you hear how wines can amplify, soften, or sharpen what you’re already tasting.

Consideration: this is your final stretch of the day, so pace yourself. You’re tasting in a seated format, which helps, but it’s still multiple pours and multiple cheeses. If you want to keep enjoying every pairing, don’t start the last stop with a heavy grip on the glass.

What You Really Get for the $212.54 Price

At $212.54 per person, the biggest question is whether the value is real, not just the sticker price. Here’s how I think about it.

You’re paying for:

• Transport from and to London
• Guided tastings at two English vineyards
• Lunch with English wine
• A guided 6 wine + 6 cheese pairing
• Bottled water

What you aren’t paying for (unless specified) is extra food and extra drinks beyond the included items. That’s normal for tours like this, but it means you should budget a little so you don’t get surprised later.

In my view, the value comes from the structure. Buying all these experiences separately would usually mean multiple tickets, more coordination, and less time with a guide explaining how to taste. This tour wraps it into one day with transit handled for you. You also get the benefit of a small group size, which often makes the guide’s attention more practical and less scripted.

If your goal is to taste your way through English wine and cheese without turning the day into logistics homework, the price starts to make sense fast.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This tour is best for:

• English wine and cheese fans who want guided tasting, not just self-paced samples
• People visiting London who want a Kent day trip without dealing with transportation
• Anyone who likes learning how pairing works, especially the relationship between cheese character and wine flavor

It’s also a good match if you prefer a day that’s planned, with your schedule set. The stops are clear and the timing works as a continuous experience: winery tasting, then vineyard and sparkling/still samples, then lunch, then a cheese-focused pairing.

Who might want to rethink it:

• If you don’t drink wine at all, the day is still built around tastings and a lunch that includes wine.
• If you’re sensitive to alcohol or have a low tolerance, you’ll need to go slow, because multiple guided tastings happen across the day.

Also note: the minimum age is 18, so it’s adult-only.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Day in Kent

You’ll have a better day if you plan for the way this tour is structured.

1) Wear comfortable shoes

You’ll be on the go, including vineyard time. Even if the walking is limited, you’ll appreciate shoes that handle uneven ground and outdoor weather.

2) Dress for changing weather

It operates in all weather conditions. Bring layers, a light rain layer, and something wind-friendly. Kent can shift fast.

3) Consider dietary needs early

If you have dietary requirements, advise at booking. The tour includes lunch and tastings, and planning for food needs is key for a relaxed experience.

4) Decide your tasting pace before the last stop

The seated 6-and-6 pairing at Silcocks is the longest “flavor session.” If you want to taste everything clearly, take it as a finishing exam for your palate, not something to power through.

5) Hydrate

Bottled water is included. Drink it between pours so your last pairings still feel crisp.

Should You Book This English Wine and Cheese Tour?

I’d book this tour if you want a guided, high-value day that links the dots between English vineyards, real cheese-making, and structured pairing. The combination of a Chapel Down vineyard visit, a picnic lunch with wine, and the Silcocks 6-and-6 seated pairing is the kind of experience that’s hard to replicate on your own without extra planning.

I’d skip or look for a different option if you’re expecting a light, casual stroll with only a couple tastes. This is a full 8-hour food-and-wine program, designed for adults who enjoy tasting and learning.

If you like your day simple—transport handled, stops planned, guides leading the tastings—this is a strong pick. Just remember: go in with curiosity, pace your wine intake, and treat the pairing session as the moment you’ll want your palate working at full power.

FAQ

What time does the English Wine and Cheese Tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where is the meeting point in London?

You meet at English Grounds, London SE1 2HU, opposite London Bridge Station.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours.

What tastings are included during the day?

You’ll enjoy guided tastings at two English vineyards (Wayfarer Wines and Chapel Down). You’ll also have a guided seated tasting that pairs 6 English wines with 6 English cheeses at Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe.

Is lunch included, and is there wine with it?

Yes. You’ll have a locally sourced picnic lunch in the grounds of Chapel Down, and it includes a glass of English wine.

What is the minimum age to join?

The minimum age is 18.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.