Latest news with #SoutheastEngland
The Independent
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Mapped: Where might the UK's fourth heatwave of the summer hit?
Hot spots in the east and southeast of England may record a heatwave in the coming days – potentially spelling the fourth this summer for some, forecasters are warning. Days after the Met Office confirmed that extremes of temperature and rainfall are becoming the norm, experts say the mercury could show 28C or 29C in those regions on Thursday and Friday, and it will be humid. At the weekend, record-breaking temperatures exceeded 30C in several parts of the country, as the third heatwave of 2025 swept the UK. A high of 33C was recorded in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, and Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales recorded their warmest days of the year so far. Much of the UK enjoyed a brief reprieve from the hot weather on Tuesday, then on Wednesday temperatures started creeping up again into the high 20s Celsius. Meteorologist Tom Morgan said: 'From a technical point of view, there is the potential for some places to reach heatwave status. 'But it's not going to be anything like the most recent heatwave, which saw temperatures reach the high 20s or low 30s. 'Currently, we're expecting temperatures of 29C in southeast England on Thursday and Friday, then it might well be 28C or similar on Saturday. 'Most likely, it's a few individual weather stations that reach the criteria for a heatwave... but that won't be for everyone, it will be a small minority of places where there is a technical heatwave.' Definitions of a heatwave vary by county. Weather counts as a heatwave when a place has at least three days in a row when temperatures meet or exceed the heatwave temperature threshold for that place. In areas from Cambridgeshire to West Berkshire to Surrey, the threshold is 29C. In much of northern England, Scotland and Wales, it's 25C. As records continue to be set this year, England had its warmest ever June, and the UK overall experienced its second-warmest since the series began in 1884, according to provisional Met Office statistics. Forecasters say the rest of July and early August are likely to be changeable. But towards mid-August, there are tentative signs that high pressure may become more dominant, the Met Office says, which would bring more dry, settled weather. 'Temperatures are expected to continue to run above average overall, with a greater likelihood, compared to the preceding couple of weeks, of very warm or hot spells to develop by mid-August, especially further south and east.' After the UK's driest spring since 1893, nearly seven million people are facing hosepipe bans. The Southern Water restrictions affecting Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will begin on Monday, while Thames Water announced a ban that will begin on Tuesday for customers in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and some parts of Berkshire. South East Water has also said 1.4 million customers in Kent and Sussex will also be banned from using hosepipes. The first ban, across Yorkshire, came into effect on Friday after a ' drought ' was declared in the region. The Environment Agency has warned that without substantial rain, more bans will follow. The West and East Midlands have been declared as suffering from drought, as have Cumbria and Lancashire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, and Merseyside and Cheshire. Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, East Anglia and the Thames areas have been designated as in 'prolonged dry weather' status. However, in the west of England on Thursday, forecasters say there will be outbreaks of rain, some of them intense, and thundery downpours are possible.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
The Sussex path that's been shortlisted as one of Britain's favourite routes
The Ramblers have shortlisted eight paths for Britain's Favourite Path 2025, including one in West Sussex. This May, countless people nationwide shared images and stories about the paths they cherish most, participating in The Ramblers' quest to find the country's beloved route. The Ramblers path was nominated by Jeremy Cook-Abbott. (Image: Jeremy Cook-Abbott) Now in its second year, the competition invites nominations of treasured pathways, each accompanied by personal anecdotes and picturesque photographs. A panel of expert judges, including celebrity Jeff Brazier, has whittled down the entries to one path from each of the eight geographical categories. The public vote will decide which of these places will win the coveted title. In the running for Britain's beloved route is a favourite from the southeast: a path in Halnaker, near Chichester, nominated by Jeremy Cook-Abbott. He said: "It leads up a hill to a windmill in Sussex. "The joy is in the tree-tunnelled sunken path itself, as it changes due to the play of light, not only from season to season but from hour to hour. "A glorious path." Head judge Jeff Brazier, impressed by the entries, said: "With so many emotive stories and picture-perfect paths submitted, it was challenging to choose just one winner from each category. "I know I'll be adding a lot of new paths to my 'must visit' list after reading about them. "The entries that really stood out to me were the paths that people walked again and again because walking there made them feel good, the path bought back personal memories or helped them find peace. "Now it's over to the public to choose the overall winner and I can't wait to see which one wins." Around 1,000 submissions were received, nearly doubling the entries from last year. The shortlisting of entries was a collaborative effort with Brazier and four dedicated Ramblers volunteers, who help in the charity's mission to safeguard and upkeep paths all over the UK. Read more Cruise offers to captivating coasts and cities Several Brighton restaurants named on best restaurant in UK delivery shortlist Seafront hotel with 37-bedrooms on sale for £2.4m These volunteers included Paul Howland, who aids in mapping paths through the Ramblers' Don't Lose Your Way campaign, and Chitra Ramachandran, who works with councils and other volunteers to resolve issues on local paths. Outdoor ambassador and graduate of the Ramblers' free Out There Award, Dipam Sharma, and outdoor campaigner Debbie North, who was recently appointed as the UK Government's Disability and Access Ambassador for the countryside, also lent their expertise. Lucy Sutton and Suzanne Goldsmith, from Cotswold Outdoor, which sponsored the competition, rounded off the judging panel. Last year's favourite, Thursley Common Boardwalk in Surrey, will be showcased on digital screens at railway stations nationwide during the public voting period. To vote for the path you think deserves to be crowned Britain's Favourite for 2025, visit and cast your vote by 11pm on July 31. Only one vote per person will be counted and the winning path will be the one with the highest number of votes when the public vote closes.
Reuters
27-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Britain's Centrica set to take 15% stake in Sizewell C nuclear project, FT reports
June 27 (Reuters) - British Gas owner Centrica (CNA.L), opens new tab is set to take a 15% stake in the country's Sizewell C nuclear project in southeast England, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the discussions. All sides are keen to reach a final investment decision on the project before the British parliament's recess on July 21, the report said. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. The government said earlier in June that it will invest a further 14.2 billion pounds ($19.25 billion) to build the Sizewell C nuclear plant, taking its total commitment to the project to 17.8 billion pounds. Britain is looking to build new nuclear plants to replace its ageing fleet to boost its energy security, reach its climate targets and create new jobs. Canada's Brookfield Asset Management ( opens new tab is still in talks about an investment in Sizewell C and could be prepared to take a larger stake than Centrica, the Financial Times report said. Sizewell C was originally being developed by France's EDF and China's General Nuclear Power Group but the government bought out the Chinese firm's stake in 2022 amid security concerns. The UK government's stake was 83.8% and EDF's stake was 16.2% at the end of December, EDF's financial results showed in February. EDF's stake is expected to decrease following Britain's investment earlier this month. Centrica, Sizewell C and Brookfield Asset Management did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. ($1 = 0.7281 pounds)
Times
13-06-2025
- Times
11 of the best vineyard stays in the UK
The reputation of British wine has followed a similar trajectory to that of British food: once an international joke, it is now celebrated at home and abroad. British sparkling wines beat their better-known rivals in blind tastings and global warming is prompting champagne houses to buy up the remaining chunks of southeast England that haven't already been converted into vineyards. The steep rise in wine quality has been matched by a huge growth in wine tourism — often embedded in landscapes so lush you might be forgiven for thinking you'd woken up in Napa Valley, not the home counties. Some have simple B&Bs offering little more than a vineyard tour and tasting (check timings before you book) while others have luxury hotels with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Wherever you spend the night, all have the same benefit: there's no argument about whose turn it is to be the designated driver for the evening. We'll toast to that. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue ££ | Best for a weekend of grapes, gardens and golf When the neglected gardens of Leonardslee House, a grade II listed Italianate pile near Horsham, were restored to their former glory in 2019, England's first pinotage vines had been planted among rhododendrons and azaleas a year previously. South Africa's emblematic grape goes into the Leonardslee Brut Rosé, one of three sparkling wines that have been making waves in the English wine world since the first release in 2024 and available to try in a sparkling wine masterclass. Staying in one of Leonardslee's ten floral-themed guest rooms, each showcasing a different British designer such as Nina Campbell or Christopher Farr, comes with a discount on green fees at the 9 and 18-hole courses of Mannings Heath Golf Club nearby, or spend your time wandering among the garden's seven lakes and admiring the contemporary sculptures while keeping an eye out for deer and wallabies, which were introduced on the estate in 1889. Either way, you'll need to work up an appetite for the 20-course tasting menu at the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant Interlude. • Discover our full guide to wine holidays £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for English wine tourism done on a grand scale Denbies is one of the easiest vineyards to visit on a day trip from London (50 minutes from Waterloo) but to get the most out of England's largest wine estate, stay the night. The location at the foot of the rolling Surrey Hills is magical as the early morning mist lifts over the vines while there are 380 acres to explore. The Secret Vineyard Trail gives hotel guests access to areas usually off-limits to the public; there's also a Vineyard Train Tour for the less energetic, and indoor tastings if it's raining. The 17-room Denbies Vineyard Hotel is housed in a 19th-century farmhouse, converted with all mod cons; guests can dine in one of three restaurants with a pre-meal wine tasting, or book a private supper in a cabana in the garden. £ | Best for a romantic weekend away Gloucestershire might be best known as cider country but it's also home to one of England's oldest commercial vineyards. Three Choirs was planted as an experiment in 1973 and the original half-acre of vines now extends across 75 acres, just south of the Malvern Hills, ripe for long walks. The vineyards produce 12 white, red, rosé and sparkling wines, which can be sampled either on an afternoon self-guided wine tasting and vineyard walk, or with a member of the winemaking team to offer expert analysis; order a bottle of your favourite with a tapas supper in the Brasserie afterwards. The 11 guest rooms are designed with couples in mind; three glass-walled, wooden-framed vineyard lodges are set among the vines while the eight 'vineyard view' rooms come with a south-facing patio overlooking the valley. Whichever you book, there is sparkling wine and handmade chocolates on arrival, and peace and privacy throughout your stay. £ | Best for a sense of seclusion and an ultra-local ethos England isn't the only UK winemaking country: Wales produces award-winning vintages, too, including the still and sparkling white and sparkling blush made on the seven-acre Jabajak estate. The former droving farm sits on the edge of the Bluestone Mountains in the west of the principality, close to the coastal paths and beaches of Pembrokeshire National Park. Cellar door tastings take place in the evening, followed by a dinner of local produce in the relaxed restaurant; what can't be grown in the kitchen garden is foraged from the surrounding countryside or supplied by local fishmongers and farmers and turned into the likes of pan-fried venison with wild blackberry jus. Eight individually decorated guest rooms (think four-poster beds and freestanding tubs) include three suites; get to know your fellow guests with drinks by the pond or on the patio. • The UK's best Michelin starred restaurants with rooms££ | POOL | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for a luxury hotel stay of grapes and gastronomy The Exeter-born chef Michel Caines has form in the West Country, winning two Michelin stars during his 21-year tenure at Gidleigh Park on Dartmoor. He opened his own hotel in this sun-drenched spot overlooking the Exe Estuary in 2017, where a Michelin-starred tasting menu can be paired with the trio of wines that Caines produces in his 10.8-acre vineyard. Roasted pigeon with celeriac and truffle purée partnered by a glass of Triassic Pinot Noir would be an excellent match. Lighter meals are served in the Pool House restaurant next to the hotel's outdoor swimming pool, while vineyard tours end with either lunch or afternoon tea. Sumptuously appointed guest rooms match the classical style of the Georgian house or, for something marginally more rustic, there are six shepherd's huts. The hotel has a tennis court and croquet lawn, or get out on the water with paddleboarding and kayaking or a cruise along the River Exe. £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for a Welsh wine weekend close to Cardiff Sipping a glass of off-dry Cariad Poplar on the terrace at Llanerch, it's hard to believe that Cardiff city centre is only a half-hour drive down the M4. Rows of vines surround the original 19th-century farmhouse and modern 36-room hotel, while sheep drift across the green fields of the Vale of Glamorgan beyond like balls of cotton wool. Wine tastings offer the opportunity to try three of the Cariad wines made from grapes grown in the 6.5-acre vineyard, while Roots restaurant serves plates of local Welsh lamb and steak, as well as afternoon tea and Sunday roasts. Guest rooms range from huge suites to compact doubles; some are wheelchair accessible, and a couple are dog friendly. £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for quirky accommodation Accidental winemakers David and Lexa Bailey bought the vineyard next door when they were concerned the land would become a caravan park. Instead of camper vans, three sensitively converted, light-filled cottages sleep two, four or eight guests at Wraxall, with a minimum two-night stay — no hardship when foodie Bruton and historic Glastonbury are on the doorstep. Couples and solo travellers could also consider the fully insulated shepherd's huts, complete with fitted kitchens, launching late summer 2025. Tours and tastings can be followed by a lunch of seasonal local ingredients in the View, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and huge terrace pointed towards the Somerset Levels; there are Thursday steak nights, Friday pizza nights and food trucks on a Sunday, with, of course, pairings of Wraxall's four still and sparkling wines. • Read our full guide to Somerset ££ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for sparkling sundowners in an outdoor tub The accommodation at this sparkling-wine specialist brings new meaning to the concept of pergola training. Guests stay in one of four treehouses suspended 6m off the ground overlooking the rows of vineyards stretching down to the banks of the River Test, with only badgers, birds and deer for company. Each light-filled treehouse is built using sustainable techniques and materials and furnished in a cosy version of Scandi chic — wood-burning stoves, wishbone chairs, snazzy bathrooms and kitchens — with the star attraction being an oversized zinc bathtub outside. The treehouse owner Wild Escapes works closely with the Black Chalk vineyard, with guests given a breakfast hamper of local produce and a bottle of Black Chalk Classic wine; there's more eating and drinking with vineyard tours and tastings that end with a lunch of cheese, charcuterie and smoked fish. When you've had your fill of vines, there are footpaths through the woodland, or go kingfisher spotting in theLongstock Park Water Garden. ££ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for an active rural retreat among the vines Imagine Center Parcs for oenophiles and you'll get the picture at Tinwood. The estate is dog-friendly, the South Downs are all around and mountain bike hire is free; try cycling to the cathedral city of Chichester if you're feeling especially athletic. Once back in your luxury lodge, give your muscles a soak in the two-person whirlpool bath before catching the sunset over the vines from your private deck. Feeling sociable? There's a communal barrel sauna hidden by trees and evening yoga among the vines. Vineyard tours, meanwhile, end with a tutored tasting of three glasses of Tinwood's award-winning sparkling wine. Seasonal small plates and Sunday roasts are served for lunch in the on-site Vineyard Kitchen, breakfast arrives in a hamper and there are decent pubs within cycling distance for supper. The Anglesey Arms, on the edge of the Goodwood Estate, serves classy comfort food. £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for sparkling wines and stunning walks There are few nicer places to take a break from walking the South Downs Way than the Flint Barns, but the Rathfinny estate is much more than a bed and breakfast to park your rucksack for the night. The comfortably homely accommodation — ten double and family rooms feature iron bedsteads covered in thick blankets and even thicker mattresses — feels almost at odds with the sophistication of Rathfinny's sparkling wine, made from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes hand-harvested in Sussex on the same chalky slopes found over the Channel in Champagne. Breakfast and supper are served in the Flint Barns, there are smart lunches in the Michelin-rated Tasting Room and small plates in alfresco wine bar the Hut with its view over wildflower-strewn vines to the sea sparkling through the trees beyond. £ | Best for feeling part of the family in a 16th-century farmhouse England has what viticulturalists call a marginal climate for wine production and nowhere is more marginal than North Yorkshire, home to the UK's most northerly vineyard, Ryedale. Still, Yorkshire folk are nothing if not bloody-minded (a compliment round here) and Jon and Michelle Fletcher are proud to make wine as artisanally as possible, with every aspect of production, from pruning to labelling, carried out by hand. Their son and wine manager Jack conducts tours with generous tastings and, though, there's no restaurant, there are two snug village pubs a mile or so away — the Jolly Farmers at Leavening and the Blacksmiths Arms at Westow — while the nearby market town of Malton announces itself as 'Yorkshire's food capital' on its welcome sign; try some sushi tacos at Forty Six. Be warned, though, that after a full Yorkshire breakfast served in the Ryedale farmhouse following a good night's sleep in one of the two en suite bedrooms upstairs, you may not need to eat for the rest of the day. • 100 of the best places to stay in the UK• The best places for a walk in the UK
Times
13-06-2025
- Times
11 of the best vineyard stays in Britain
The reputation of British wine has followed a similar trajectory to that of British food: once an international joke, it is now celebrated at home and abroad. British sparkling wines beat their better-known rivals in blind tastings and global warming is prompting champagne houses to buy up the remaining chunks of southeast England that haven't already been converted into vineyards. The steep rise in wine quality has been matched by a huge growth in wine tourism — often embedded in landscapes so lush you might be forgiven for thinking you'd woken up in Napa Valley, not the home counties. Some have simple B&Bs offering little more than a vineyard tour and tasting (check timings before you book) while others have luxury hotels with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Wherever you spend the night, all have the same benefit: there's no argument about whose turn it is to be the designated driver for the evening. We'll toast to that. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue ££ | Best for a weekend of grapes, gardens and golf When the neglected gardens of Leonardslee House, a grade II listed Italianate pile near Horsham, were restored to their former glory in 2019, England's first pinotage vines had been planted among rhododendrons and azaleas a year previously. South Africa's emblematic grape goes into the Leonardslee Brut Rosé, one of three sparkling wines that have been making waves in the English wine world since the first release in 2024 and available to try in a sparkling wine masterclass. Staying in one of Leonardslee's ten floral-themed guest rooms, each showcasing a different British designer such as Nina Campbell or Christopher Farr, comes with a discount on green fees at the 9 and 18-hole courses of Mannings Heath Golf Club nearby, or spend your time wandering among the garden's seven lakes and admiring the contemporary sculptures while keeping an eye out for deer and wallabies, which were introduced on the estate in 1889. Either way, you'll need to work up an appetite for the 20-course tasting menu at the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant Interlude. • Discover our full guide to wine holidays £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for English wine tourism done on a grand scale Denbies is one of the easiest vineyards to visit on a day trip from London (50 minutes from Waterloo) but to get the most out of England's largest wine estate, stay the night. The location at the foot of the rolling Surrey Hills is magical as the early morning mist lifts over the vines while there are 380 acres to explore. The Secret Vineyard Trail gives hotel guests access to areas usually off-limits to the public; there's also a Vineyard Train Tour for the less energetic, and indoor tastings if it's raining. The 17-room Denbies Vineyard Hotel is housed in a 19th-century farmhouse, converted with all mod cons; guests can dine in one of three restaurants with a pre-meal wine tasting, or book a private supper in a cabana in the garden. £ | Best for a romantic weekend away Gloucestershire might be best known as cider country but it's also home to one of England's oldest commercial vineyards. Three Choirs was planted as an experiment in 1973 and the original half-acre of vines now extends across 75 acres, just south of the Malvern Hills, ripe for long walks. The vineyards produce 12 white, red, rosé and sparkling wines, which can be sampled either on an afternoon self-guided wine tasting and vineyard walk, or with a member of the winemaking team to offer expert analysis; order a bottle of your favourite with a tapas supper in the Brasserie afterwards. The 11 guest rooms are designed with couples in mind; three glass-walled, wooden-framed vineyard lodges are set among the vines while the eight 'vineyard view' rooms come with a south-facing patio overlooking the valley. Whichever you book, there is sparkling wine and handmade chocolates on arrival, and peace and privacy throughout your stay. £ | Best for a sense of seclusion and an ultra-local ethos England isn't the only UK winemaking country: Wales produces award-winning vintages, too, including the still and sparkling white and sparkling blush made on the seven-acre Jabajak estate. The former droving farm sits on the edge of the Bluestone Mountains in the west of the principality, close to the coastal paths and beaches of Pembrokeshire National Park. Cellar door tastings take place in the evening, followed by a dinner of local produce in the relaxed restaurant; what can't be grown in the kitchen garden is foraged from the surrounding countryside or supplied by local fishmongers and farmers and turned into the likes of pan-fried venison with wild blackberry jus. Eight individually decorated guest rooms (think four-poster beds and freestanding tubs) include three suites; get to know your fellow guests with drinks by the pond or on the patio. • The UK's best Michelin starred restaurants with rooms££ | POOL | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for a luxury hotel stay of grapes and gastronomy The Exeter-born chef Michel Caines has form in the West Country, winning two Michelin stars during his 21-year tenure at Gidleigh Park on Dartmoor. He opened his own hotel in this sun-drenched spot overlooking the Exe Estuary in 2017, where a Michelin-starred tasting menu can be paired with the trio of wines that Caines produces in his 10.8-acre vineyard. Roasted pigeon with celeriac and truffle purée partnered by a glass of Triassic Pinot Noir would be an excellent match. Lighter meals are served in the Pool House restaurant next to the hotel's outdoor swimming pool, while vineyard tours end with either lunch or afternoon tea. Sumptuously appointed guest rooms match the classical style of the Georgian house or, for something marginally more rustic, there are six shepherd's huts. The hotel has a tennis court and croquet lawn, or get out on the water with paddleboarding and kayaking or a cruise along the River Exe. £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for a Welsh wine weekend close to Cardiff Sipping a glass of off-dry Cariad Poplar on the terrace at Llanerch, it's hard to believe that Cardiff city centre is only a half-hour drive down the M4. Rows of vines surround the original 19th-century farmhouse and modern 36-room hotel, while sheep drift across the green fields of the Vale of Glamorgan beyond like balls of cotton wool. Wine tastings offer the opportunity to try three of the Cariad wines made from grapes grown in the 6.5-acre vineyard, while Roots restaurant serves plates of local Welsh lamb and steak, as well as afternoon tea and Sunday roasts. Guest rooms range from huge suites to compact doubles; some are wheelchair accessible, and a couple are dog friendly. £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for quirky accommodation Accidental winemakers David and Lexa Bailey bought the vineyard next door when they were concerned the land would become a caravan park. Instead of camper vans, three sensitively converted, light-filled cottages sleep two, four or eight guests at Wraxall, with a minimum two-night stay — no hardship when foodie Bruton and historic Glastonbury are on the doorstep. Couples and solo travellers could also consider the fully insulated shepherd's huts, complete with fitted kitchens, launching late summer 2025. Tours and tastings can be followed by a lunch of seasonal local ingredients in the View, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and huge terrace pointed towards the Somerset Levels; there are Thursday steak nights, Friday pizza nights and food trucks on a Sunday, with, of course, pairings of Wraxall's four still and sparkling wines. • Read our full guide to Somerset ££ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for sparkling sundowners in an outdoor tub The accommodation at this sparkling-wine specialist brings new meaning to the concept of pergola training. Guests stay in one of four treehouses suspended 6m off the ground overlooking the rows of vineyards stretching down to the banks of the River Test, with only badgers, birds and deer for company. Each light-filled treehouse is built using sustainable techniques and materials and furnished in a cosy version of Scandi chic — wood-burning stoves, wishbone chairs, snazzy bathrooms and kitchens — with the star attraction being an oversized zinc bathtub outside. The treehouse owner Wild Escapes works closely with the Black Chalk vineyard, with guests given a breakfast hamper of local produce and a bottle of Black Chalk Classic wine; there's more eating and drinking with vineyard tours and tastings that end with a lunch of cheese, charcuterie and smoked fish. When you've had your fill of vines, there are footpaths through the woodland, or go kingfisher spotting in theLongstock Park Water Garden. ££ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for an active rural retreat among the vines Imagine Center Parcs for oenophiles and you'll get the picture at Tinwood. The estate is dog-friendly, the South Downs are all around and mountain bike hire is free; try cycling to the cathedral city of Chichester if you're feeling especially athletic. Once back in your luxury lodge, give your muscles a soak in the two-person whirlpool bath before catching the sunset over the vines from your private deck. Feeling sociable? There's a communal barrel sauna hidden by trees and evening yoga among the vines. Vineyard tours, meanwhile, end with a tutored tasting of three glasses of Tinwood's award-winning sparkling wine. Seasonal small plates and Sunday roasts are served for lunch in the on-site Vineyard Kitchen, breakfast arrives in a hamper and there are decent pubs within cycling distance for supper. The Anglesey Arms, on the edge of the Goodwood Estate, serves classy comfort food. £ | DOG-FRIENDLY | Best for sparkling wines and stunning walks There are few nicer places to take a break from walking the South Downs Way than the Flint Barns, but the Rathfinny estate is much more than a bed and breakfast to park your rucksack for the night. The comfortably homely accommodation — ten double and family rooms feature iron bedsteads covered in thick blankets and even thicker mattresses — feels almost at odds with the sophistication of Rathfinny's sparkling wine, made from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes hand-harvested in Sussex on the same chalky slopes found over the Channel in Champagne. Breakfast and supper are served in the Flint Barns, there are smart lunches in the Michelin-rated Tasting Room and small plates in alfresco wine bar the Hut with its view over wildflower-strewn vines to the sea sparkling through the trees beyond. £ | Best for feeling part of the family in a 16th-century farmhouse England has what viticulturalists call a marginal climate for wine production and nowhere is more marginal than North Yorkshire, home to the UK's most northerly vineyard, Ryedale. Still, Yorkshire folk are nothing if not bloody-minded (a compliment round here) and Jon and Michelle Fletcher are proud to make wine as artisanally as possible, with every aspect of production, from pruning to labelling, carried out by hand. Their son and wine manager Jack conducts tours with generous tastings and, though, there's no restaurant, there are two snug village pubs a mile or so away — the Jolly Farmers at Leavening and the Blacksmiths Arms at Westow — while the nearby market town of Malton announces itself as 'Yorkshire's food capital' on its welcome sign; try some sushi tacos at Forty Six. Be warned, though, that after a full Yorkshire breakfast served in the Ryedale farmhouse following a good night's sleep in one of the two en suite bedrooms upstairs, you may not need to eat for the rest of the day. • 100 of the best places to stay in the UK• The best places for a walk in the UK
