Hattingley Valley Wines

The vineyard sprawls across Hampshire's rolling countryside just outside Alresford, with vines planted on south-facing slopes that catch proper sunlight. You're tasting English wine here - sparkling stuff mostly, though they do still wines too. The setting matters as much as what's in the glass: there's a genuine sense of place, the kind you get when you're standing in someone's actual working vineyard rather than a theme park version.

Wine enthusiasts will find this worthwhile. You can taste your way through their range without the pretension you sometimes get at larger estates, and the team know what they're talking about. Families with older kids will have a decent afternoon - the views across the valley are genuinely good, not forced. Younger children might struggle unless they're the type to occupy themselves on the grass for an hour.

Alresford's nearby if you fancy lunch or a wander round the town before or after. The caravan parks - Hampshire Hills (4.2 miles away) and Wigwam Holidays at the same distance - make decent bases for exploring this corner of the county. Give yourself a couple of hours here rather than dashing in and out. Check their website or ring ahead for opening hours and whether they're running tastings on the day you're visiting, as opening times shift seasonally.

Worth the detour if you're already in the area. Less worth planning a whole trip around unless wine really is your thing.