Hidden Spring Vineyard

The Sussex Weald isn't exactly where you'd expect to find decent wine, but Hidden Spring has quietly been proving the doubters wrong. Located just outside Heathfield, this vineyard sits on a south-facing slope that actually catches proper heat - the kind that ripens grapes rather than just sitting there looking green.

What you get is a proper working vineyard with a tasting room that opens Friday evenings from five o'clock and weekends from noon. The owners are serious about their English wines, and the straightforward approach means no pretension, no waffle about terroir that means absolutely nothing. You're tasting wines made from fruit growing literally in front of you.

It works brilliantly if you're camping at one of the nearby spots - Horam Manor is barely half a mile away, Dernwood Farm even closer, so the Friday evening session is ideal after a day pottering about the park. Families with older kids will find it engaging enough; younger ones might get restless unless they're fascinated by watching things grow. Serious wine people should absolutely make the trip; casual drinkers will find something decent without the pretension you'd encounter at fancier operations.

The opening hours mean you're looking at evening visits mostly, which actually suits the relaxed vibe. Bring cash if you're stocking up - it's the kind of place where that still matters. Allow an hour minimum, longer if you're chatting with the team about what grows where and why.