Add some fizz, gin or whisky to your short break with these fabulous UK boozy breaks!
You don’t have to spend a week travelling round the Loire Valley to appreciate wine — there are so many boozy breaks in the UK to enjoy a glass. While the weather will struggle to compare to central France, we guarantee you’ll have a time exploring local distilleries and vineyards right here at home.
Fizzifest
Where: Hampshire
When: July
Price: £15
Held at a different Hampshire vineyard every year, the festival offers wines from the eight local vineyards, live music, delicious food from local suppliers and a Fizz Bar. You can also meet the winemakers, book wine and food-pairing masterclasses or take a tractor ride around the vineyard.
Slingsby Gin Experience
Where: Harrogate
When: Monday-Sunday, check website for availability
Price: £40 per person
Get yourself to the beautiful Yorkshire town of Harrogate and enjoy Slingsby’s Spirit of Gin experience. With a G&T in hand, the distillers will tell you about the original styles of gin, the misery of the London gin craze and how gin has developed today. Each guest receives four drinks and nibbles are provided. The perfect afternoon with friends!
Hobbit House
Where: Oastbrook Estate, Bodiam, East Sussex
When: Check availability on website
Price: From £735 for three nights
Nestled in the bank overlooking the Oastbrook vineyard sits a “hobbit house” built by local craftsmen from local materials. Sleeping four people in two luxury bedrooms, guests can take a short walk to Bodiam Castle, visit Camber Beach and explore a host of local pubs. With a garden and a hot a tub, it’s the perfect spot to sip Oastbrook’s first vintage, a sparkling rose.
Great British Booze Break
Where: Tudor Farmhouse, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
When: Check availability on website
Price: From £235 per night
This two-night break is all about celebrating the area’s breweries, orchards, vineyards and distilleries. Staying in the elegantly rustic Tudor Farmhouse, a boutique hotel in the Forest of Dean, your package includes bed and breakfast, a minibar stocked with local drinks, pre-dinner cocktails, three-course dinners, and a copy of the Great British Booze map so you can explore the local suppliers.
Whisky Bus
Where: Inverness
When: Mondays and Fridays
Price: £99
Starting in Inverness, the Whisky Bus will take you on a 10-hour whisky-fuelled adventure to the nearby Highland and Speyside whisky establishments. The small coach will embark upon visits and tastings at Tomatin, Glenlivet, Glenfarclass, Speyside Cooperage, Aberlour (Fridays only) and Macallan (Mondays only). Ideal for taking in whisky and the incredible views!
Surrey Hills Vineyards
Where: Surrey Hills
When: Saturdays only
Price: From £99
Surrey Hills Vineyards is a collaboration of five independent wine producers. Each vineyard offers its own unique tastes and experiences. Boozy breaks events pop up all the time, so have a look on their website for current listings. We recommend Grape & Grain Tours, where you’ll visit three of the vineyards. They’ll do the driving so you can sit back and enjoy a day of wine tasting, good company and delicious food. The tour includes a two-course gastropub lunch and luxury mini coach transport.
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