On days when the sun shines, there’s nothing we love more than feeling like we’ve made the most of it. But if a picnic or lengthy hike isn’t quite your speed, why not consider a staycation or day trip to a local wine estate? After all, what could be better than raising a crisp glass of chardonnay or a fragrant glass of pinot noir while sitting among the very vines it was grown from?

While the UK may not be quite as well known for its wine production as New Zealand’s sauvignon blanc capital Marlborough or California’s Napa Valley, there are still plenty of picturesque wineries and vineyards nestled across the country just waiting to be explored.

From Cornwall to Kent and beyond, here is our pick of the best vineyards to visit in the UK for the day – or even stay for the weekend. 

Images: courtesy of vineyards