Kent and Sussex are absolutely bursting with flavour—and if you live in Tonbridge like us, you’re perfectly placed to explore it all. From sparkling English wines to small-batch gins and beers brewed on the edge of hop fields, there’s an exciting world of food and drink experiences just waiting to be discovered.
Whether you’re after a romantic vineyard tour, a lively beer garden, or a chance to blend your own bottle of gin, here are 19 amazing places you can visit within about 45 minutes of Tonbridge—some even by train!
Vineyards Near Tonbridge
1. Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate – Staplehurst
Set on a rolling estate of vines, orchards and ancient woods, Balfour is a must-visit. Their stylish tasting room, woodland trails and food platters make this more than just a wine tasting—it’s a day out.
🚆 Train to Marden + short taxi, walk or cycle from the station
👉 balfourwinery.com or book a tasting here
2. Yotes Court – West Peckham
Just a 15-minute drive from Tonbridge, or you can cycle there! Yotes Court is a stylish, modern vineyard with knockout views, award-winning wines and weekend tasting sessions with seasonal grazing boards.
👉 yotescourt.co.uk or book a tasting here
3. Squerryes – Westerham
A refined estate known for exceptional English sparkling wine. Book a tour and tasting, or enjoy a long lunch on the terrace with vineyard views. There’s also a “small plates” tasting room for more casual experiences too. And, whilst you’re there – check out Westerham Brewery Tap Room (details below.)
🚗 About 30 mins from Tonbridge
👉 squerryes.co.uk
4. Biddenden Vineyards – Biddenden
Kent’s original vineyard. Still family-run, Biddenden offers relaxed tastings, a charming shop and guided tours in the summer.
🚗 About 40 mins from Tonbridge
👉 biddendenvineyards.com
5. Chapel Down – Tenterden
One of England’s best-known wineries. Think high-end fizz, beautiful grounds, and a restaurant on site.
🚆 Train to Headcorn + taxi
👉 chapeldown.com
6. Gusbourne – Appledore
Ultra-premium wine in a low-key, peaceful setting. Gusbourne offers tastings and vineyard walks that feel totally serene.
🚗 About 45 mins from Tonbridge
👉 gusbourne.com or book a tasting here
7. Woodchurch Vineyard, Woodchurch
A small-scale, family-owned vineyard producing excellent still wines. Summer tastings and events in a rural setting.
🚗 Approx. 45 mins
👉 woodchurch.co.uk
8. Westwell Wine – Westwell (near Ashford)
Natural, low-intervention wines and cool tastings straight from the cellar. A hidden gem for wine geeks. Head to Charing Train station (via Ashford) then it’s a short cab or walk from there.
👉 westwellwines.com
9. Henners Vineyard – Herstmonceux
A little over the border in East Sussex, this vineyard offers relaxed tastings of sparkling wines just a stone’s throw from the coast. A little tricky to get to from Tonbridge without a car – so you’ll need a designated driver.
👉 hennersvineyard.co.uk
10. Oxney Organic Estate – Beckley
One of the UK’s only organic wine producers. Gorgeous spot, stylish tasting barn, and fab sparkling wines. A little tricky to get to from Tonbridge without a car – so you’ll need a designated driver.
👉 oxneyestate.com
Interested in English wine – I love this website, which has more detail on each of these vineyards mentioned.
Distilleries Near Tonbridge
11. Greensand Ridge Distillery – Shipbourne
Eco-conscious and wildly creative, Greensand Ridge is a must for gin lovers. Book a distillery tour or even a gin-making experience.
🚗 15 mins from Tonbridge
👉 greensanddistillery.com
12. Copper Rivet Distillery – Chatham Dockyard
A sleek riverside distillery producing Dockyard Gin, Vela Vodka and Masthouse Whisky. Distillery tours, tastings and an on-site restaurant. Whilst there, Call the Midwife Fans may want to take a tour of the historic dockyard.
🚆 There are no direct trains, but you can wiggle your way there via Strood by train or drive 45 minutes
👉 copperrivetdistillery.com
13. Maidstone Distillery – Maidstone
Tucked inside an old jail, this artisan distillery makes cracking gin and offers fun cocktail classes, tastings and behind-the-scenes tours.
🚆 Direct train from Tonbridge
👉 themaidstonedistillery.com
14. Anno Distillers – Marden
Science meets spirit at this innovative distillery. Visit for tastings, shop visits or a gin blending experience.
🚆 Train to Marden from Tonbridge
👉 annodistillers.co.uk
Taprooms & Breweries
15. Westerham Brewery – Westerham
A brilliant local brewery with a fantastic on-site taproom and regular food trucks. Try the cask ales or grab a keg to take home.
👉 westerhambrewery.co.uk
16. The Swan on the Green Brewery – West Peckham
A classic Kentish pub and microbrewery. Sample their own ales brewed on site, and enjoy a pint in the garden overlooking the cricket pitch.
🚗 10-15 mins from Tonbridge
👉 theswanonthegreen.co.uk
17. The Old Dairy Taproom – Tenterden
This rustic brewery taproom has everything: craft beers, street food, and regular music nights.
👉 olddairybrewery.com
18. Curious Brewery – Ashford
Run by the folks behind Chapel Down, this stylish brewery offers a restaurant, brewery tours and cold pints in the sun.
🚆 Train to Ashford + short walk
👉 curiousbrewery.com
19. NorthDown Brewery Taproom – Margate
If you’re venturing further afield on a coastal day out, NorthDown’s taproom is just off the seafront and pours a cracking IPA.
👉 northdownbrewery.com
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