With over 1.5 million vineyard visits made in 2023, wine tourism is the newest trend in UK travel. WineGB has launched the Visit a Vineyard Guide showcasing the most unique experiences on offer.

The Guide highlights the range of experiences on offer across the UK including regional events, distinctive tours and tastings, fine dining, and local partnerships. From winery slides and wine trains to festivals and wildlife walks, the UK wine tourism experience is diverse and engaging.

Visit a vineyard

There are 300 vineyards and wineries in the UK that are open to the public and actively involved in wine tourism. From cellar door shops and on-site accommodation to award-winning vineyard restaurants and picnics in the vines, UK wine tourism is on the rise.

To plan your visit, download the Visit a Vineyard Guide 2025 for a flavour of what is on offer, or visit the WineGB Producer Directory to find vineyards in your area.

The stats

In 2023, 1.5 million visits were made to UK vineyards and wineries, up 55% on numbers from 2022.

English tourism supports 200,000 small and medium sized businesses, employs 2.6 million people, and generates £71.6 billion annually for the UK economy through domestic visitor spending, according to VisitEngland. Figures from WineGB’s Tourism Report 2024 show that wine tourism accounts for 25% of total winery income on average, with 60% of survey respondents predicting that visitor numbers will grow by over 20% in the next five years.

Wine tourism is of growing importance to in-bound visitors to the UK, meaning that it is especially important for UK growth. VisitBritain’s MIDAS Report in December 2022 revealed that 42% of inbound visitors expressed ‘high interest’ in visiting a winery during their stay, which equates to a potential pool of 16m visitors.

Key events

April

  • The Naked Grape’s Spring Wine Festival: 19 April

May:

  • Canterbury Wine Festival: 16 to 17 May
  • Welsh Wine Week: 30 May to 8 June

June:

  • Wine Garden of England Summer Celebration: 7 June
  • WineGB’s English Wine Week: 21 June to 29 June
  • Vineyards of the Surrey Hills Summer Spectacular: 28 June to 29 June
  • Vineyards of Hampshire Fizz Fest: 29 June

August

  • South Coast Wine Festival: 8 August to 10 August

Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, says: “Wine tourism is right on trend, bringing high skilled jobs to the countryside and providing an authentic way to enjoy our wines where they were made. Our new Visit a Vineyard Guide highlights the range of experiences on offer, helping you to plan days out in the vines this year. You don’t need to wait for a special occasion, this Guide shows you where you can enjoy an evening in the bar all the way to a long weekend away, following the journey from vine to bottle.”

Ends

For more information, please contact Phoebe French (phoebe@winegb.co.uk / 07591588328).

Notes to editors: 

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) is the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. It represents, leads, and supports the sustainable growth of the Great British wine sector. With over 500 members, it works to cultivate success across the industry. Its work supports its three key areas of activity: to ensure strong production and a skilled workforce, to increase sales and safeguard quality, and to enhance the reputation of English and Welsh wine.

WineGB’s UK Wine Tourism in 2024 Report can be downloaded here.