Food, Wine and Travel guide through South East England.

By Devashree Sanghvi.

Offering world-class wines coupled with stunning natural beauty and delicious food, the UK is one of my favourite destinations to travel to, especially for my culinary adventures. I embarked on an incredible food and wine tour of South East England with Visit Britain in September 2019. We explored the spectacular regions of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey and of course London.

From staying at the 900-year-old Leeds Castle to learning about and sampling excellent quality wines at vineyards across the region, having incredible dining experiences at top local Michelin starred restaurants to getting spellbound by ancient cities like Canterbury, travelling by the heritage railway across the countryside in Sussex to trying the freshest Oysters in Whitstable, I have had some unforgettable experiences in Britain.

 

 

 

There are numerous things one can experience in this exciting destination and here is a detailed guide and itinerary through South East England with a focus on the culinary experiences, things to do and of course wine.

 

1. Arrive in London and spend a few days in this magical city :

As soon as you step foot into London you will be mesmerized by this beautiful city that has so much to offer. I flew here in style with British Airways on a direct flight from Mumbai. Read more about my British Airways experience here.

With a stunning blend of old and new, eye-catching monuments, vibrant popular streets, markets, enchanting museums, bustling pubs and so much more, this thriving metropolis is one of my favourite cities in the world.

 

 

We stayed at the historic Conrad London St James Hotel, situated in the heart of the city in close proximity to attractions such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and more. This spectacular hotel offers the epitome of comfort and luxury. Don’t forget to dine at Emmiline’s Lounge where Chef Gilbert Genelazo whips up delicious food from high-quality local produce.

 

 

Another stay option is Threadneedles Hotel, a gorgeous property adorned by its unique stained-glass dome. While staying here, we also dined at Marco Pierre White’s Wheeler’s Restaurant which is popular for its exquisite seafood. The dining experience here is absolutely incredible and highly recommended.

Spend a few days exploring the various sights and sounds of London and then proceed to Kent, the garden of England.

2. KENT: The garden of England:

DAY 1 : Chapel Down, Silcocks Farm, Biddenden Vineyard and Leeds Castle.

Studded with lush countryside greenery, rolling hills, beautiful towns, exquisite vineyards and delicious food, Kent is the oldest county in England and is just a few hours from London.

We embarked on a fun food, wine and cheese tasting tour with English Wine Tasting tours based in London. They run regular group and private wine tours across Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex from London and I highly recommend doing a wine tour with them to learn more about the blossoming English wine industry.

Our first stop in Kent was Chapel Down, one of the most well-known vineyards in the UK. Here with English Wine Tasting tours and with their wine expert we walked through the beautiful vineyard, learnt about the variety of grapes grown, the winemaking + storing process followed by an intriguing wine tasting session of their sparkling and still wines. I absolutely loved their Rosé Brut a sparkling Rosé which was delicate, feminine and very smooth on the palette. I would also recommend trying some of heir high-quality sparkling wines such as Three Graces 2015, Century Extra Dry NV and Bacchus 2019.

 

 

 

Pair some of your favourite Chapel Down wines with delicious food at The Swan Kitchen Restaurant where fresh, local food meets an elegant ambience surrounded by the lush green vineyard. The menu is designed by Chef Llyod Bartlett and team who believe in sustainable food practices and in sourcing farm-fresh local Kentish produce. The food was exquisite and made for a lovely experience with the aromatic wines.

Our next stop on the Kentish food map was the gorgeous, family-run Silcocks Farm where we saw how local cheese is made. We even did a fun wine and cheese pairing here and learnt about how different English wines can be paired with different English cheeses. This session was headed by Justin and Nicole of English Wine Tasting tours and was absolutely amazing. Silcocks Farm has delicious, fresh organic produce, a quaint garden café and is a must-visit.

 

 

Our next stop was to Biddenden Vineyards, located outside of the lovely, historic town of Biddenden. This family-owned British vineyard is spread across 23 acres of gorgeous slopes and is famous for the Ortega, used to produce a delicious fruity white wine.

One of the regions oldest winemakers, their wines, ciders and apple juice made with fresh Kentish apples were a delight savour. We embarked on an interesting wine tour of these vineyards and learnt a lot about the 11 grape varieties grown here followed by a wine tasting session. I would highly recommend their rich and creamy Pinot Reserve 2015, the fruity Gribble Bridge Aromatic Rosé 2014 and the refreshing Gribble Bridge Dornfelder.

 

 

Coming to the most exciting part of our journey through Kent, we arrived at the majestic, 900-year-old  Leeds Castle that was our abode for the next two nights.

Surrounded by lush green lands, reflecting beautifully on its waters this incredible castle is bathed in rich architecture, impressive history and just immense beauty.

 

 

We started off with a guided tour of the castle, exploring some of its many incredible halls, rooms, and libraries filled with plush upholstery, intricately carved walls, and lots of stories that transported us to the Tudor era. 

You can spend your time with activities like walking through the maze, punting on the lake,   grotto, adventure golf falconry experience, and Segway rides through the spectacular scenery. Just sitting by the crystal clear waters, watching the black swans glide gently over the reflection of the incredible 900-year-old castle feels enchanting.

We stayed at their iconic holiday cottages surrounded by beautiful gardens and lake views. The accommodation is comfortable and offers a high level of privacy.

They also have a wonderful restaurant called Castle view restaurant that’s true to its name. The food here is amazing with locally sourced, fresh ingredients being integrated into the menu. It’s perfect for a candlelight dinner surrounded by magnificent views of the castle. 

 

 

 DAY 2 : Whitstable, Macknade, Canterbury, Fordwich Arms.

We started off the next day with a visit to the charming seaside town of Whitstable. Also known as the Pearl of Kent this quaint and beautiful town is an absolute must-visit with its gorgeous cobbled streets, crystal clear waters, cute beaches, fascinating local shops and of course its exquisite, fresh seafood. The Oysters here are popular all over the world and are a must-try in Whitstable.

 

 

Next, we headed to Macknade, a true foodie heaven. One of the UK’s largest independent food halls and markets that is over a century old, Macknade has a huge variety of fresh local produce, cheese, jams, breads, bakery items and lots more. They also have a bustling café where we enjoyed a delicious meal with Stefano Cuomo, the Managing Director of this incredible food destination. Being a huge fan of food, visiting Macknade was such a fun experience.

 

 

We then visited the gorgeous, medieval city of Canterbury, famous for its cathedral that will enchant you with its Gothic and Romanesque architecture, stained glass windows and intricately carved stone façade. A UNESCO world heritage site, this city is best explored on foot and you can experience its various museums, cafes and parks.

 

 

After a day well spent, we headed to the magnificent Fordwich Arms, a Michelin star restaurant located in Fordwich, the smallest town in England. It’s eye-catching red stone façade, elegant interiors and delicious food make for a wonderful dining experience.

Chef-patron Daniel Smith is a young culinary genius who incorporates rich, fresh local produce into an impeccable menu with top of the line presentation and taste. Our four-course meal came complete with freshly baked breads, an entrée of Isle of Wight tomato, west combe cheddar, red current and lemon verbena followed by some Barbeque celeriac, Kentish sweetcorn, confit egg yolk and tarragon. We ended our meal with the Fordwich Arms Picnic Bar dessert paired with some beautiful local dessert wine.

 

 

After a heart-warmingly delicious meal, we headed back to Leeds Castle for a good nights rest.

 

2. SUSSEX, the epitome of beauty.

DAY 3: SUSSEX – Artisan Bakehouse, Bolney Wine Estate, Bluebell Railway and The Spread Eagle.

Adorned with rich natural beauty, Sussex is one of South East England’s grandest counties. From breath-taking cliffs to a dramatic coastline, picturesque villages to magnificent castles, rolling hills to historic vineyards, Sussex has it all. Divided into East and West Sussex, this county offers ample things to see and do just a short distance from London.

Our first stop was to the Artisan Bakehouse, a quaint, rustic bakery and cooking school that offers hands-on classes where you can master the art of breadmaking. Located in the rich green countryside, near Steyning, here we learnt how to make delicious fresh pita bread, baguettes and sourdough. They use the best quality flour grown in the next-door farm and other ingredients like dairy products are sourced locally too. We really enjoyed learning the art of baking in their gorgeous wood fire oven.

 

 

After savouring the freshly baked bread we took a trip to the historic, family-run Bolney Wine Estate in rural Sussex. The unique climate and soil coupled with age-old techniques of growing and harvesting the best quality grapes by hand really brings out the complex aromas and delicious flavours into their wines. Focussed on sustainable farming, the meticulous winemaking process ensures that the quality of the wines is par excellence.

We embarked on a tour of the widespread, beautiful vineyards followed by a wine tasting session and lunch at Eighteen Acre Café. The café itself is surrounded by magnificent vineyard views and offers an extraordinary food and wine experience. I loved pairing the fresh salads, local cheese and pesto pasta with Sparkling Rosé and Estate Bacchus wines. The Rosé was full of delicate flavours of wild strawberry and raspberry while the Estate Bacchus had complex flavours with notes of citrus and elderflower.

 

 

After a hearty meal, we took an enticing train ride through the magical Sussex countryside onboard the historic Bluebell Railway. Literally out of a fairy tale book, a ride on their gorgeous steam engine locomotive makes for an incredible experience. The heritage railway also has a museum with a large collection of old engines and coaches that is a delight to explore. The whole experience was remarkable.

 

 

After an exciting day, we drove to The Spread Eagle a gorgeous, 14^th Century English Inn converted into a grand, 39-bed heritage hotel with a lovely Scandinavian style indoor pool and spa. After getting some rest we headed down to their quaint lounge bar for drinks and dinner with Chef Martin Hadden who holds a Michelin Star. We devoured a specially curated menu integrating local Sussex flavours paired with the best local wines. The food was incredible and we also sampled some beautiful local gins followed by engaging conversation, making for a delightful evening.

 

3. HAMPSHIRE: CITY, COAST and COUNTRY.

DAY 4 : Hampshire: Hambledon Vineyard, Chesil Rectory, Winchester, Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Season cookery school and Lainston House Hotel.

Whether you’re a nature lover, food enthusiast, adventure freak, camping fan, shopaholic or art appreciator, you will always find loads of fun things to do in Hampshire throughout the year. With a blend of stunning coastlines, vibrant cities, beautiful towns and rich countryside, Hampshire is a thriving destination that can’t be missed.

Our first stop in Hampshire was to the iconic Hambledon Vineyard located in Hambledon the birthplace of cricket. A state-of-the-art winery, you can find the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown over 200 acres of spectacular vineyards. A trip through the vineyard, cellars and storage facility followed by a wine tasting session made for an exciting start to our trip through Hampshire. I would highly recommend their Classic Cuvée, a signature vintage white sparkling wine with intense yet delicate flavours and complex aromas.

 

 

After another exceptional wine tasting experience, we headed to Chesil Rectory, an award-winning, exemplary restaurant in Winchester located in a 600-year-old medieval house. Travel back in time with the charming interiors and get spellbound by the whole experience of dining here. Our special menu curated by Chef Damian Brown consisted of items like a lovely stock bridge mushroom tartlet, poached egg and tomato concasse with chive butter sauce to start with followed by fresh rosary goats cheese rotollo with fresh greens and a melt in your mouth blackberry parfait for dessert.

 

 

After a delicious meal, we headed to the Winchester city to explore its gorgeous alleys, churches, libraries and stunning beauty on foot. The Winchester Cathedral is a popular tourist spot here and you must visit this magnificent medieval structure. One of the largest cathedrals in all of Europe the sheer beauty of its incredible architecture will mesmerize you. The cathedral houses a 17^th century Morley Library, the Winchester Bible and a Norman crypt. Apart from the cathedral, Winchester is also home to the Great Hall of Winchester Castle, the city mill and many other historically significant structures.

 

 

Our next stop was to the iconic Bombay Sapphire Distillery that is the only facility to produce the world-famous gin. This was an exciting experience for me as I’m a big fan of their gin and the visit was worth the wait. Located in the spectacular red brick Laverstoke Mill, this is a working distillery where you can pre-book your tour online. Our tour started off with a visit to the glasshouse where 12 gin botanicals are grown in temperature-controlled conditions. We then proceeded to the Botanical Dry room where each of us got to smell and feel various flavours, spices and herbs to get to know our taste preferences for the cocktail tasting session. This immersive sensory experience was followed by a tour of the distillery where we learnt about the rare vapour infusion distillery process and how every bottle of Bombay Sapphire is made. Our incredible tour ended with a gin cocktail tasting session where cocktails were made as per our preferences in the Botanical dry room.

 

 

We then headed to the charming Lainston House Hotel that also has the Season Cookery School on its grounds. This splendid 17^th century English mansion comes with grand rooms studded with elegant interiors, marvellous architecture, a gorgeous courtyard, massive lawns, an award-winning fine dining restaurant, a quaint pub and al fresco dining. You can take a walk in their colourful garden, get a drink at the pub, devour a delicious meal, go cycling, play tennis, learn falconry or just curl up with a good book by the fireplace. This has been one of the most beautiful properties I’ve stayed at.

 

 

While at Lainston House, don’t forget to polish your culinary skills at Season Cookery School which is equipped with all modern kitchen facilities. We learnt some delicious local dishes in a hands-on cooking workshop by Chef Sylvian Gachot. You can go pick your herbs and veggies fresh from the garden and learn how to whip up delicious dishes from scratch. This school also has an independent dining area where you can enjoy your meal with some local wines.

 

4. SURREY: FULL OF MAGICAL SURPRISES.

DAY 5 : SURREY : Denbies Wine Estate and back to London (Marco Pierre White’s Wheeler’s Restaurant and Threadneedles Hotel).

Located just outside of London a visit to Surrey is in complete contrast to the craziness of city life. Dreamy rolling hills, rich greenery, stately houses, scenic natural beauty, charming markets, breath-taking landscapes and a vibrant culture make Surrey the perfect gateway from the hustle and bustle of London.

In Surrey, we visited the award-winning Denbies Wine Estate, UK’s largest and most popular wine estate producing top of the line still and sparkling wines. The 627-acre long estate houses beautiful vineyards, a hotel, a restaurant, an art gallery, a farm shop and a wine shop.

Denbies offering regular tours of the sprawling vineyards perched on rolling hills on board a special open bus along with indoor tours of the winemaking process. You can also taste over 16 kinds of different wines on your tour through the massive estate. We loved the magnificent panoramic views of the estate from the bus and also the experience of stopping every few minutes and learning about the grapes, wine production, storage and processing facilities. The unique chalk soil at Denbies coupled with the cool climate is ideal for growing excellent quality grapes such a Bacchus, Ortega, Reichenstenier, Rondo as well as the more popular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties.

 

 

After another fun wine tour we proceeded for lunch to Gallery view restaurant offering unmatched views of the 265 acre vineyard, the North Downs and Box Hills. Here we tried some of their award-winning wines paired with impeccable food made with fresh, local ingredients. I would highly recommend the ‘Surrey Gold’ that is fresh on the palette and gives out delicious fruity and citrusy notes.

After another incredible wine tour, we proceeded back to London where we dined at Marco Pierre White’s Wheeler’s Restaurant, located in the charming Threadneedles Hotel in the heart of London. The food was top notch and the ambience and service added to the beauty of the experience. The hotel itself is truly magical and offered a luxurious stay.

Overall, I have had some unforgettable, enchanting experiences through South East England and I can’t wait to go back again soon. The UK is truly one of my favourite, all-round destinations that has it all. From dramatic mountains to sandy beaches, romantic forests to beautiful villages to modern cities, this place never fails to enchant me. 

For more information on how to plan your next England trip click here. 

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