Chapel Down Winery: Visiting England’s Largest Wine Producer in Kent
Chapel Down Winery is the second oldest vineyards in Kent (and the biggest wine producer in Kent and the whole England), which has been producing high-quality sparkling and still wines since 1977. The winery was founded by David Cowderoy and is currently owned by Chapel Down Group PLC.
Chapel Down grows a variety of vine grapes, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus, and Albariño, across 25 acres of their vineyards. The winery has won several awards for their sparkling wines, which have been served at prestigious events such as the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
The first time I’ve visited Chapel Down Vineyeard was about 20 years ago, when it was one of just a few vineyards in Kent. More recently, I’ve been visiting the newer vineyards in Kent and also wanted to revisit Chapel Down again.
I’ve really enjoyed the self-guided tour of the vineyard, learning all about the individual types of wine and also seeing the herb garden just outside the shop. Since I was driving there, I opted to buy a bottle of wine to take home rather than to do the on-site vine tasting, which is also available.
MORE VINEYARDS TO EXPLORE IN KENT
- The Mount Vineyard (Shoreham) >>
- Biddenden Vineyard (the oldest vineyard in Kent) >>
- Yotes Court Vineyard >>
Wine Tours & Tastings
All guided wine tours and tastings should be pre-booked.
Guided Tour & Tasting: £25 per person. Includes a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, followed by a tutored tasting of 3 wines
Vineyard Top Table Experience: £70 per person. Includes a guided tour, a tutored tasting of 6 wines, and a 3-course lunch at The Swan Restaurant.
Ultimate Experience: £100 per person. Includes a guided tour, a tutored tasting of 8 wines, a 3-course lunch at The Swan Restaurant, and a gift bag.
Self-Guided Vineyard Walks
Chapel Down also offers self-guided vineyard walks, where you can explore the estate at your own pace. Unlike the guided tours, these walks are free and don’t require booking – just turn up and ask for a leaflet map from the main shop.
There are two marked trails that weave through the vines, herb garden, and surrounding countryside – one shorter and one much longer to take you through the whole vineyard. The leaflet explains the grape varieties grown, the vineyard’s history, and the winemaking process.
And just in case you are wondering that the largest vineyard doesn’t look that large, this is because Chapel Down owns other sites where they grow more vine and they also have other smaller vineyards contracted to them to grow vine for them exclusively. For example the Yotes Court started as vine grower for Chapel Down, but recently planted more vine to start producing their own wine.
Wine Shop
The winery has a shop where you can purchase wines, spirits, and other merchandise as well as online shop.
The Swan Restaurant at Chapel Down
The Swan at Chapel Down is the on-site restaurant and it’s a modern British restaurant with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients — much of the produce comes from Kent. The menu changes with the seasons but typically includes dishes such as locally reared meats, fresh fish from the Kent coast, and garden vegetables, all designed to pair with Chapel Down’s wines.
It’s a good idea to book in advance, especially on weekends, for Sunday lunch, or if you want a terrace table overlooking the vines. Prices start from £9 for starters, £22 for mains and £9 for desserts and there are also set menus for lunchtime.
Wine
Chardonnay – one of the main grapes for Chapel Down’s sparkling wines, particularly from its flagship Kit’s Coty vineyard.
Pinot Noir – used both in sparkling wines and still reds/rosés.
Pinot Meunier – another traditional Champagne grape, blended into sparkling wines.
Bacchus – often called “England’s answer to Sauvignon Blanc,” used for crisp, aromatic still white wines.
Prices
from £14.99 – £100 per bottle
A little bit about Chapel Down Winery
The story of Chapel Down vineyard begins in 1977, when Stephen Skelton MW (Master of Wine) planted the first vines at the Tenterden site. Skelton, often described as one of the pioneers of modern English viticulture, was instrumental in proving that Kent’s soils and climate could produce quality wines.
Over the next two decades, he managed the vineyard and produced wines, steadily building its reputation. By 2000, after more than twenty years of stewardship, Skelton made his final vintage as full-time winemaker before stepping away from the estate, though his influence on English wine continued through his writing, consultancy, and mentorship of other winemakers.
During the 1990s, the Tenterden vineyard passed through several owners, reflecting the challenges of establishing a sustainable wine business in England at that time. A major turning point came in 2001, when the English Wine Group was formed through the merger of three vineyards: Lamberhurst, Tenterden, and Carr Taylor. This consolidation created the framework for what would become Chapel Down as it is known today.
In the early 2000s, Frazer Thompson became CEO and emerged as the driving force behind Chapel Down’s transformation. Thompson, who had previously worked in senior roles at major drinks companies including Whitbread and Bass, brought commercial vision and marketing expertise to the business.
Under his leadership, Chapel Down expanded its vineyard holdings across Kent and beyond, invested in modern winemaking facilities, and built a strong brand identity. In 2014 Chapel Down was the first UK drinks company to use crowdfunding, raising over £5 million to help with future growth.
In 2021, Chapel Down made the strategic decision to sell its beer and cider arm, Curious Drinks, in order to focus exclusively on its core business of wine. By 2023–2024, the company had grown to more than 950 acres under vine and achieved a production capacity of 2.4 million bottles per year, cementing its status as England’s largest and most influential wine producer.
Practical Information for visiting
- Location: Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden Kent, TN30 7NG
- Opening Times: The Chapel Down shop is open daily from 10am to 5pm. The Swan Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
- Parking: There is plenty of parking on site. If you wish explore the area afterwards, it’s best to re-park the car on the edge of Smallhythe (pass the Smallhythe Place) – free road side parking
How to get to Chapel Down Winery
By Car
- From Central London, take the A2/M2 or M20 towards Kent.
- If using the M20, exit at Junction 9 (Ashford) and follow signs towards Tenterden.
- From Tenterden, Chapel Down is signposted and located just outside the town on Small Hythe Road (B2082).
- The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
- Free parking is available on-site.
By Public Transport
- Train:
- Take a Southeastern train from London St Pancras International to Ashford International (about 38 minutes on the High Speed service).
- Alternatively, trains run from London Charing Cross or London Victoria to Ashford (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
- Bus/Taxi:
- From Ashford International, you can take a Stagecoach bus (number 2) towards Tenterden (about 40 minutes), then it’s a short taxi ride (5 minutes) or a 30-minute walk to Chapel Down.
- Taxis from Ashford to Chapel Down take around 20 minutes and cost roughly £25–£30.
Total journey time by public transport: around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on train connections and onward travel.
What can you see nearby to make it into a perfect day out
Just across the road you’ll find Smallhythe Place, a 16th‑century house once home to actress Dame Ellen Terry, now run by the National Trust with beautiful gardens, tearoom and a working barn theatre. In Tenterden itself, the Kent & East Sussex Railway runs nostalgic steam train journeys through the Weald countryside.
The High Weald Landscape Trail passes in front of the vineyard and you can follow it either to Tenterden or to Wittersham. There are also plenty of marked public paths around the vineyard and you can walk around what used to be the Isle of Oxney.
This blog post was originally published on 27 September 2025 and last updated on 27 September 2025
