Dog-Friendly Vineyards UK: 24 Wineries That Welcome Dogs

The single most useful distinction is self-guided versus guided. Self-guided vineyard walks and trails almost always allow dogs on a lead; guided group tours and seated indoor tastings often do not, because of food hygiene rules, group size and the wine itself. English wine (still and sparkling produced in England, increasingly from the chalk soils of the South Downs) is now a genuine tourism draw, so estates increasingly market dog-welcome outdoor terraces and trails as a point of difference.

A second distinction is outdoor versus indoor. Plenty of estates welcome dogs across the grounds and on terraces but draw the line at the winery building or restaurant. Where a vineyard makes an exception and allows dogs inside the cellar door or on a tour, we have flagged it below, because those are the standout choices for a wet day or a longer visit.

Sussex has the densest cluster of dog-welcoming vineyards in the country, thanks to the South Downs chalk that has made the county England's sparkling-wine heartland.

• Rathfinny Wine Estate (Alfriston, East Sussex) welcomes dogs on its terrace overlooking the South Downs, with a roughly 5km Rathfinny Trail to walk; pick up a map from the cellar door shop.
• Bluebell Vineyard Estates (Furner's Green) allows dogs on leads in outdoor areas and at the outside cellar-door tables, with several walking trails.
• Oxney Organic Estate permits dogs on leads throughout the estate but not inside the winery building.
• Tillingham Wines (near Rye) welcomes dogs in outdoor seating and on the grounds, and has dog-friendly lodging and a pizza restaurant.
• Bolney Wine Estate gives dogs a warm welcome in its outdoor areas, with walking trails on site.
• Kingscote Estate (East Grinstead) welcomes dogs on leads, and Ashling Park (West Sussex) welcomes them in outdoor spaces, with lodge stays by arrangement.

For more days out in the county, see our dog-friendly Sussex guide.

Kent, the original heart of English wine, has several dog-welcome estates, though the bigger names restrict dogs to outdoor areas.

• Gusbourne Estate (Appledore) welcomes dogs on leads in outdoor spaces and for self-guided vineyard tours, but not on guided tours.
• Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate (Staplehurst) allows dogs on leads on the downstairs terrace and within the cellar door, with a large estate to walk.
• The Mount Vineyard (Shoreham) welcomes dogs in the vineyard and courtyard and has a pet-friendly indoor restaurant.
• Yotes Court (Mereworth) allows dogs on leads in the cellar-door wine barn, on the paddock lawn, for picnics and on its 11:30am morning vineyard tour, but not on garden tours or guided tasting-room sessions.
• Chapel Down (Tenterden), the country's best-known producer, welcomes dogs in outdoor spaces only - not on tours or in the restaurant.

Planning a wider trip? Our dog-friendly Kent guide covers beaches, walks and pubs too.

Beyond the South East, dog-friendly vineyards are scattered across the South West, the Cotswolds and Wales.

• Greyfriars Vineyard (Puttenham, Surrey), on the Hog's Back near Guildford, welcomes dogs to join guided tours.
• Cottonworth Wines (Hampshire), a family-run estate on the River Test, warmly welcomes dogs throughout the grounds.
• Sharpham Wine (Totnes, Devon) welcomes dogs on the estate grounds and outdoor seating areas.
• Trevibban Mill (near Padstow, Cornwall) welcomes dogs on its grounds on a lead, as it is a working farm; Polgoon (Penzance) welcomes dogs on leads and permits self-guided tours.
• Langham Wine Estate (Dorset) allows dogs in its outdoor seating areas.
• Three Choirs (Gloucestershire) welcomes dogs in outdoor spaces and on vineyard trails but not indoors, and Woodchester Valley (Stroud) runs a dedicated vineyard-tour-and-dog-walk.
• White Castle Vineyard (Abergavenny, Monmouthshire) invites dogs into its outdoor spaces - a handy South Wales option alongside Pant Du in the north.

Travelling further into Wales? See our guides to pet-friendly cottages in Wales and dog-friendly Welsh beaches.