Kent does wine and cheese right. This day trip gives you English wine tastings plus expert cheese pairings with easy transport from London, so you don’t have to plan a thing. The main trade-off is the pace: it’s about 8 hours and includes multiple wine tastings, including wine with lunch.

I especially like how the route balances classic winery time with a hands-on cheese moment at an organic farm. You get a guided structure at each stop, so you spend less time wandering and more time tasting.

And if you’re hoping for a light, non-alcohol-focused outing, this may not be your best fit.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Convenient London start near London Bridge, with departure opposite London Bridge Station at The English Grounds (SE1 2HU)
• Two winery tastings in Kent, designed for people who want English wines without complicated planning
• Chapel Down vineyard + guided wine tasting, plus time for a picnic lunch on-site
• Silcocks organic farm and seated pairings: 6 English wines paired with 6 English cheeses
• Small group size (max 20), which helps the day feel organized instead of rushed

Entering The English Grounds: Getting out of London smoothly

The day starts at English Grounds, London SE1 with a 9:00 am departure. Your pickup point is clearly set: the tour departs from the area opposite London Bridge Station. That matters, because one of the biggest headaches with day trips is finding the exact spot, especially when trains, buses, and street changes are involved.

Once you’re on the way, you’re trading crowds for chalky Kent air. The route takes you out of London and across the North Downs chalk soil toward Kent wineries. On paper it’s “just transit,” but in practice this is where the day trip earns its keep. You can show up, hop in, and let the driver do the thinking.

Wayfarer Wines: The small-producer tasting kickoff

The first real stop is Wayfarer Wines, a smaller producer with a bigger goal. You start with a guided tasting there, with the focus on discovering English wines from a winery that’s making things happen rather than relying only on reputation.

This opening stop sets expectations for the rest of the day. By the time you reach Chapel Down, you’ll have a better sense of what to look for in English wine styles, and you’ll know how the tour’s tastings are organized. If you’re a beginner, that’s huge. You don’t just taste. You get a guided structure that helps you make sense of what’s in your glass.

One consideration: the day has flexibility, and the vineyard timing can vary due to availability. That’s normal for a small-group, winery-dependent schedule. Still, it’s good to know that the order and exact details may shift slightly.

Chapel Down Winery: Vineyard time in the North Downs

At Chapel Down, you’ll get out into the Kent countryside feel while still staying on a tight schedule. The tour moves from London and across the Kent North Downs chalk soil to reach the winery, and you’ll spend about one hour exploring the vineyard and learning about English viticulture.

Chapel Down has a specific setting that makes the visit more than just a tasting room. It’s based in the hamlet of Small Hythe, a place tied to the area’s 15th-century shipbuilding port history. You don’t need to be a history buff for it to add atmosphere. It just helps the winery feel grounded in place, not dropped in like a storefront.

Guided tasting: sparkling and still English wines

Then comes the fully guided tasting. You can expect English sparkling and still wines during the tasting. This is one of the best parts of the day if you want variety without hopping between locations all by yourself.

Practical tip: pace yourself here. You’ll have more wine later, including a paired tasting with multiple pours. If you’re planning to take photos, do it during the vineyard portion rather than between tasting glasses.

Chapel Down picnic lunch: A meal that matches the theme

After the winery walk and tasting, you’ll enjoy a locally sourced picnic lunch in the grounds of Chapel Down. It’s about one hour, and it’s paired with a glass of English wine.

This is a smart design. Instead of breaking the day with an unrelated restaurant stop, the lunch keeps you in the same rhythm. It also means your meal isn’t something you have to research or budget separately.

The only potential drawback is that lunch includes wine as part of the plan. If you’re not drinking, tell the operator ahead of time when you book so they know your preference. Dietary requirements should also be shared at booking, because the tour explicitly asks for that.

Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe: Organic cheese-making and 6-and-6 pairings

If you’re the type who loves cheese as much as wine, Silcocks Farm is the part of the day that feels the most “hands-on.” This is a pure organic farm, and the experience focuses on how cheese is made, not just how it’s eaten.

You’ll spend about two hours here, starting with learning about the cheese-making process. Even if you’ve had English cheese before, there’s a good chance you’ll come away with a better understanding of what makes these cheeses different and why certain pairings work.

Seated guided tasting: 6 English wines + 6 English cheeses

Then comes the main event: a seated guided tasting where 6 of their favourite English wines are paired with 6 of their favourite English cheeses. This is the moment that turns “I like wine and cheese” into “I can actually taste the logic.”

Here’s why that matters. Pairings can be hit-or-miss when you’re just guessing. With a guided pairing table, you learn how flavor and texture interact—think creaminess, saltiness, and acidity—so you can repeat the experience later at home.

Also, because it’s seated and structured, this stop feels less chaotic than a walk-through tasting room. You can take notes, compare pours, and ask questions without feeling like you’re doing everything standing up.

What you actually get for the money: Price and overall value

The price is $212.54 per person for a day trip that runs about 8 hours. That’s not cheap, so you should ask the real question: what are you buying besides the right to drink?

You’re paying for several things working together:

• Round-trip transport from London, which saves time and avoids the hassle of arranging a car or rail connections
• Guided tastings at two wineries, not just self-guided wandering
• Lunch with English wine, so you’re not adding extra costs mid-day
• A guided paired tasting at Silcocks, specifically the 6-and-6 wine-and-cheese format
• Bottled water throughout the day

The value is strongest if you want an English food-and-drink day where you don’t have to do planning math. If you already live near Kent and can organize your own driver, this might feel pricier. But for a London-based outing where the day is designed to flow, it often feels fair.

My advice: treat this like a guided “how to taste” course. If you go in curious—ready to learn what to look for—your money stretches further.

Timing, pacing, and group size: How the day feels in real life

This tour has a maximum of 20 travelers, which keeps things from turning into a cattle-line experience. You also get mobile ticket access, and the day runs in all weather conditions, so you’ll be outside for at least part of the route.

Expect a steady cadence: vineyard and tasting, then another tasting and lunch, then cheese-making and pairings. The pacing is great for food and drink lovers, but it’s still a full day. If you’re the kind of person who likes lots of downtime, build that into the rest of your trip schedule.

A small planning note: tastings and lunch with wine mean you should plan your day afterward lightly. If you’re continuing with evening plans in London, keep them simple.

Who this Kent wine-and-cheese day trip fits best

This is a strong match if you:

• Love English wine and want to taste styles across more than one winery
• Want guided tastings instead of guessing your way through labels
• Care about cheese, especially with a structured pairing format
• Prefer a day trip that handles transport and timing for you

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want a non-alcohol-focused day (multiple wine tastings are built in)
• Get stressed by a full schedule with limited breaks

Quick tips to make your day smoother

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll move around winery and farm areas.
• Dress for weather. The tour runs in all weather, and you’ll be outdoors.
• Pace your tasting glasses. You’re tasting at multiple stops, and the day is long.
• If you have dietary needs, mention them at booking so the team can plan appropriately.

Should you book this English Wine and Cheese Tour?

I’d book it if you want a straightforward, well-organized Kent day built around English wine and cheese. The standout value is the blend of two winery experiences plus the Silcocks seated 6-and-6 pairing—that’s the kind of structure that helps you leave with something you can use later, not just a nice memory.

I would skip it if you’re after a casual, low-alcohol outing or if you need lots of downtime. Also, if you’re sensitive to alcohol, tell them upfront so expectations and options can be handled as best they can.

If you’re food-and-drink curious, this is the kind of day trip that makes you feel like you did something genuinely English.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where does the tour depart from in London?

It departs from English Grounds, SE1 2HU, specifically opposite London Bridge Station.

How long is the day trip?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many tastings and stops are included?

You visit two English wineries for guided tastings, and you also stop at Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe for cheese-making information and a guided paired tasting.

What food and drinks are included?

The day includes lunch with English wine and a guided tasting of 6 English wines paired with 6 English cheeses. Bottled water is also included.

Are there any dietary requirements I should tell you about?

Yes. You should advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 18.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellation cut-off times are based on the local time where the experience takes place.