THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Leave Brighton for a gentle tour of Sussex vineyards, a small-batch distillery and an orchard taproom. Taste award-winning wine, craft spirits and local cider while enjoying countryside views and farm-to-table snacks.
Leave Brighton for a gentle tour of Sussex vineyards, a small-batch distillery and an orchard taproom. Taste award-winning wine, craft spirits and local cider while enjoying countryside views and farm-to-table snacks.
A low-angled Sussex sun warms the vineyard rows as your small group climbs into an air-conditioned minivan and rolls out of Brighton. Within thirty minutes the sea-scented air gives way to chalky downland and then the orchard-scented stillness of a working farm: vines, fruit trees and a copper still punctuate the green.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by CANNONBALL TOURS BRIGHTON · Brighton, East Sussex
A low-angled Sussex sun warms the vineyard rows as your small group climbs into an air-conditioned minivan and rolls out of Brighton. Within thirty minutes the sea-scented air gives way to chalky downland and then the orchard-scented stillness of a working farm: vines, fruit trees and a copper still punctuate the green.
The route threads the modern revival of English viticulture and cider-making across chalk-rich soils that drain quickly, forcing grape vines to dig deep for minerals that shape bright acidity in English sparkling wine. Bolney Wine Estate sits on gentle slopes with a viewing balcony and a café where cheese and flight tastings explain grape-to-glass choices. Nearby Bolney Distillery turns estate fruit into brandy and grape spirit; its early releases earned Great Taste and IWSC medals. The Cider Tap Room on the farm opens onto orchards and a pizza oven—Sussex cider culture is as much about community as fermentation.
Practical rhythm: the tour runs 3–4 hours with stops of roughly 45–60 minutes at each site, private transport from Brighton, bottled water and light refreshments on board, and hotel pickup/drop-off. Bring a photo ID for tastings, wear sturdy shoes for uneven farm paths, and schedule visits in the afternoon for the best light on the vines. Expect relaxed pacing, a mix of indoor tastings and short outdoor strolls, and the chance to buy bottles straight from producers. For those who prefer to sip quietly, parking and café seating are available at each stop.
easy.
3–4 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires short standing periods and brief walks on uneven ground
Yes — the tour offers pickup and drop-off from hotels or Airbnbs within Brighton; you’ll specify your pickup point at booking.
Tastings are included in the tour stops described, though extra bottle purchases at producers are separate.
Yes — the itinerary is family-friendly; non-drinkers and children can enjoy the farm settings and food options, and service animals are allowed.
The tour may be canceled if weather is severe; light rain usually means indoor-focused tastings and covered seating at farm venues.
Sussex has a long cider-making tradition and a recent resurgence in English winemaking driven by the South East’s chalk soils, cooler climate and specialist producers since the 1990s.
Producers often practice low-intervention viticulture and orchard management to support soil health and pollinators; respect footpaths and avoid disturbing wildlife.
CANNONBALL TOURS BRIGHTON operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low-angled Sussex sun warms the vineyard rows as your small group climbs into an air-conditioned minivan and rolls out of Brighton. Within thirty minutes the sea-scented air gives way to chalky downland and then the orchard-scented stillness of a working farm: vines, fruit trees and a copper still punctuate the green.
A low-angled Sussex sun warms the vineyard rows as your small group climbs into an air-conditioned minivan and rolls out of Brighton. Within thirty minutes the sea-scented air gives way to chalky downland and then the orchard-scented stillness of a working farm: vines, fruit trees and a copper still punctuate the green.
The route threads the modern revival of English viticulture and cider-making across chalk-rich soils that drain quickly, forcing grape vines to dig deep for minerals that shape bright acidity in English sparkling wine. Bolney Wine Estate sits on gentle slopes with a viewing balcony and a café where cheese and flight tastings explain grape-to-glass choices. Nearby Bolney Distillery turns estate fruit into brandy and grape spirit; its early releases earned Great Taste and IWSC medals. The Cider Tap Room on the farm opens onto orchards and a pizza oven—Sussex cider culture is as much about community as fermentation.
Practical rhythm: the tour runs 3–4 hours with stops of roughly 45–60 minutes at each site, private transport from Brighton, bottled water and light refreshments on board, and hotel pickup/drop-off. Bring a photo ID for tastings, wear sturdy shoes for uneven farm paths, and schedule visits in the afternoon for the best light on the vines. Expect relaxed pacing, a mix of indoor tastings and short outdoor strolls, and the chance to buy bottles straight from producers. For those who prefer to sip quietly, parking and café seating are available at each stop.