Kent wine and cheese in one long day. I like how this tour strings together guided tastings at two wineries and then ends with a hands-on 6 wine and 6 cheese pairing that teaches you what to notice. The one trade-off is the day runs full-throttle from start time to finish, so you’ll want to sip slowly and pace yourself.

You’ll meet at The English Grounds by London Bridge (9:00am), then ride out into Kent for vineyard visits, lunch, and multiple tasting moments. With a maximum group size of 20 and everything arranged for you, it’s a practical way to experience English wine country without planning or juggling reservations.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Two winery stops with guided tastings, covering both English still and sparkling styles
• Chalky North Downs scenery on the drive out of London into Kent
• Chapel Down in Small Hythe, including vineyard time and a proper guided tasting
• Picnic lunch on the winery grounds, served with an English wine glass
• Silcocks organic farm cheese-making lesson, then a seated pairing of 6 wines with 6 cheeses

A Kent day trip that feels like a full program

English wine is having a moment, but it can be hard to turn that enthusiasm into a plan that actually works in one day. This tour solves that by layering the experience: a tasting start, a vineyard-focused middle, and a cheese-pairing climax. If you like food and drink and want the day to feel purposeful instead of random, this format hits the mark.

The “two wineries plus cheese pairing” structure is especially good value. Tastings aren’t just sitting around with a glass; you get guided sessions tied to places and processes. You’re also not stuck waiting for everyone to make it to the next stop, since transport from and back to London is included and the schedule is built around set activities.

The main consideration is time. An 8-hour day can feel like a lot, especially if you’re the kind of person who reads every label and lingers. Going slow matters here—more on that later.

Where to start: meeting at The English Grounds by London Bridge

Your day begins at The English Grounds in London (SE1 2HU), opposite London Bridge Station. The departure point is set, and the start time is 9:00am, so build in a buffer for getting there from wherever you’re staying.

Because this is a group tour with a fixed departure, the smart move is to arrive early and keep your plans simple that morning. Bring a warm layer if you’re traveling in cooler months, since you’ll be out and moving for much of the day, and the tour operates in all weather conditions.

The good part: once you’re checked in and the group rolls out, you’re not dealing with navigation or coordinating transport between sites. That’s a big deal in Kent, where the wineries and farm stops are outside central London.

Wayfarer Wines: a guided tasting to set your English wine baseline

The first winery stop is Wayfarer Wines, where the day kicks off with a guided tasting at a small producer. This is a great early stop because it gives you a baseline for what you’ll be tasting later.

A guided start matters more than people think. English wine can be new territory for visitors, and a guide can help you connect tasting notes to real-world context—what to look for, how to compare styles, and what flavors to pay attention to as you move from one place to another.

What I like about starting small-producer here is that it avoids the feeling of being dropped into a tourist factory tasting room. You get a sense of how English wines are made and why they’re worth paying attention to beyond the label.

If you’re new to wine tours, this stop is a confidence builder. If you’re already a fan, it’s a quick refresher on the variety you can find in England.

Chapel Down in Small Hythe: vineyard time and chalk-soil tastings

Next comes Chapel Down, with travel out of London and across the chalk soil of the Kent North Downs. Even if you’re not a geology nerd, it’s useful to understand that English vineyards aren’t just “green fields.” The soil and conditions shape the character you taste.

Chapel Down is based in the 15th-century shipbuilding port of Small Hythe. That setting gives the winery a sense of place beyond the glass. You’ll explore the vineyard and learn about English viticulture, then enjoy a fully guided tasting of English wines, including both sparkling and still styles.

This is the stop where the tour most strongly connects land, method, and flavor. Guides tend to talk you through what’s happening in the vineyard and why certain styles show up. That turns the tasting into learning, not just consuming.

One practical note: Chapel Down is part of a working winery and grounds area. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your jacket handy, even if the weather looks fine at drop-off. You’ll spend time moving around the property.

Picnic lunch at Chapel Down: food you can actually enjoy between sips

After the vineyard and tasting, you get a locally sourced picnic lunch in the grounds of Chapel Down. The lunch also includes a glass of English wine, which makes the midday break feel like part of the experience instead of an awkward pause.

I like lunch on-site because it helps you slow down without losing the rhythm of the day. You’re already in a relaxed, guided environment, so you can eat, regroup, and decide what you want to pay attention to during the later cheese stop.

The important practical point: the day is structured around tastings, so don’t assume you’ll have free time whenever you want it. That’s why this picnic works well. It gives you nourishment and a chance to reset without dragging your schedule.

Also, the tour includes bottled water, which you’ll definitely appreciate as the tastings build. Hydration helps you taste better and feel better by the end.

Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe: organic cheese-making plus 6/6 pairings

The final stop is where the tour turns into a true food-and-drink experience: Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe. Silcocks is an organic farm, and you’ll learn about the cheese-making process—the kind of background that makes the tasting more than just a fun activity.

Then comes the main event: a seated guided tasting pairing 6 English wines with 6 English cheeses. This is the moment most people remember, because it forces you to connect wine structure with cheese character. You’re not guessing. The pairing format nudges you to notice things like richness, acidity, saltiness, and how sweetness or bubbles can change the way cheese tastes on your palate.

If you’ve ever wondered why some wine and cheese combos taste amazing while others seem flat, this pairing session is the answer in a practical format. Even if you only take away one or two pairing ideas, that knowledge follows you home.

Plan for this stop to be your last major tasting block. It’s two hours long, so settle in, listen, and pace your glasses. The tour includes lunch earlier, but by now you’re tasting quite a bit—sip, take notes if you like, and save your enthusiasm for the pairings you enjoy most.

What you learn by doing a paired wine-and-cheese day

This tour is built for people who want to understand what they’re drinking. The guided parts at Wayfarer Wines, Chapel Down, and the Silcocks pairing session all point toward one goal: helping you taste with intention.

Here’s what you’re likely to pick up naturally during the day:

• How English sparkling vs still styles can behave differently with food
• How vineyard context and soil conditions connect to flavor in the glass
• How cheese-making and aging relate to texture and intensity
• How pairing works in real terms, not just in theory

The practical value is that this isn’t a random tasting flight. The tastings are tied to place and process, and then the day ends by testing your palate with structured pairings. That makes it easier to build confidence in your own wine choices later, whether you’re buying a bottle for dinner or picking a sparkling wine for a celebration.

Pace, group size, and what the schedule feels like

With a maximum of 20 travelers, you’ll likely experience a guided feel without the chaos of very large groups. That size tends to work well for questions and for keeping the day moving.

The schedule is also straightforward:

• a quick start near London Bridge
• a guided tasting at Wayfarer Wines
• vineyard exploring and guided tasting at Chapel Down
• picnic lunch on the grounds with a wine glass
• cheese-making learning and a seated 6/6 pairing at Silcocks

The best way to enjoy this structure is to treat it as a tasting day, not an all-day wandering hike. The tour is efficient by design. If you love slow, independent exploration, you might feel rushed. If you love guided food and drink learning, it’s a great match.

And since it runs in all weather, wear layers and keep your plan flexible. Comfort helps you enjoy every stop, even if the sky changes.

Price and value: what $212.54 gets you in real terms

At $212.54 per person, this isn’t a budget activity—but it’s also not just a single tasting. You’re paying for a full-day program that includes:

• round-trip transport from and back to London
• guided tastings at two English wineries
• lunch with English wine
• a seated guided pairing of 6 English wines with 6 English cheeses
• bottled water

When you convert it into parts, the value comes from the pairing session plus the structured vineyard time. Tastings are often expensive when booked separately, and cheese pairing sessions aren’t usually offered as a simple add-on. Here, the logistics are handled, and you get guidance at multiple stages.

One more value factor: the tour is offered in English and designed for adults (minimum 18 years). That tends to keep the experience focused and smooth, especially during the more guided parts of the day.

If you already know you want a curated food-and-wine day in Kent, this price can feel fair because you’re buying time, guidance, and included activities—not just samples.

Who should book this Kent wine and cheese tour

I’d point you toward this tour if you:

• love English wine and want a guided taste across styles
• enjoy cheese, especially when it’s explained through the making process
• want a day trip that handles transport and timing for you
• are celebrating a birthday or milestone and want a well-structured plan

This is also a strong choice if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t sure they want a full wine tour, because the cheese-making and pairing session gives the day variety. You get multiple angles of the same theme.

Where it might not fit: if you’re the type who wants hours of free time and zero pacing, the tight schedule could feel like too much.

Tips to make the day better (without overthinking it)

A few small habits can make a big difference on a day with multiple tastings:

• Sip slowly. The tour is designed for tastings, but your enjoyment improves when you taste deliberately.
• Eat your lunch fully. The picnic break is part of the plan, not a gap-filler.
• Dress for weather. The tour runs in all conditions, so bring layers.
• Wear comfortable shoes for winery grounds. You’ll be moving between stops.
• If you have dietary needs, flag them at booking time. The tour notes dietary requirements should be advised when you reserve.

Also, keep expectations realistic: this is an 8-hour itinerary. You’ll get a lot in one day, which is great—just don’t expect to wander off on your own.

Should you book?

Yes, if you want the Kent experience in a single day and you care about learning as you taste. The standout strengths are the organization, the sense of a complete food-and-wine arc, and the fact that the day ends with an actual guided pairing of 6 wines and 6 cheeses rather than a quick stop-and-go tasting. That pairing element is the memorable payoff.

If you’d rather take your time with long, unstructured visits, or you’re sensitive to packed schedules, you might feel the pace. But for most wine-and-food lovers, this hits a very practical sweet spot: guided tastings, a winery picnic lunch, and a cheese session that teaches you what matters.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour is listed as about 8 hours.

Where do I meet for the English Wine and Cheese Tour?

Meet at The English Grounds in London SE1 2HU, opposite London Bridge Station.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00am.

What’s included in the price?

Transport from and to London is included, along with guided tastings at two English vineyards, a picnic lunch with English wine, a guided tasting of 6 English wines paired with 6 English cheeses, and bottled water.

Is there a minimum age requirement?

Yes. The minimum age is 18 years.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Speedboat Sightseeing: Embankment OR Westminster Pier -45 MinutesWW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance TicketCambridge University Colleges Guided Punting TourNorth Wales and Caernarfon Castle day-tour from Liverpool