Rathfinny Wine Estate

Sussex has quietly become England's answer to Champagne, and Rathfinny is proof the local wine scene deserves taking seriously. Perched on the South Downs near Newhaven, this 650-acre estate produces proper fizz using the traditional méthode champenoise - the same technique they use in France. You can tour the vineyard, pop into the tasting room, and actually drink something you want to drink, which is more than can be said for some English wine efforts.

The setting is the real draw. Rolling chalk downs, vineyards in neat rows, and on a clear day you get views across to the coast. It's not flashy - no grand château, no gift shop nonsense - just good wine and a working farm. The tasting room opens late on Friday and Saturday (till 10:30pm), which makes it a reasonable evening out if you're staying nearby at Three Ponds Holiday Park, only twenty minutes away.

Allowing a couple of hours is sensible if you want the full experience - tour, tasting, a glass on the terrace. Book ahead, especially weekends. Wednesday to Sunday opening keeps things civilised; Mondays and Tuesdays are quiet. Entry fee isn't listed on the main site, so ring ahead or check their booking page. It's worth the trip whether you're a wine bore or just after a sunny afternoon with something decent to drink. Families with older teens would manage fine; little kids might find it a touch dull once the novelty of seeing grapes wears off.