Taste the fruits of summer
Looking for the best vineyards in East Devon and an unforgettable English wine tasting experience? During your stay at The Old Bakehouse in Colyton, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore some of Devon’s finest wineries, all within a short drive of our holiday accommodation.
As summer transforms the rolling hills of East Devon into shades of golden ochre reminiscent of Provence, the region’s vineyards come alive. Whether you’re an experienced wine enthusiast or simply looking for unique things to do in East Devon, these award-winning vineyards offer memorable tours, tastings and stunning countryside views.
Lyme Bay Winery
Just two miles from The Old Bakehouse, Lyme Bay Winery is one of the most celebrated wineries in Devon. Founded over 30 years ago near the historic Shute Estate, it is even possible to walk there from Colyton via public footpaths if you’d rather leave the car behind.
Today, Lyme Bay Winery is the UK’s largest producer of mead and fruit wines, while also being one of England’s most highly awarded producers of still wines. The winery sources grapes from carefully selected vineyards across southern England, including nearby Castlewood Vineyard, to produce its exceptional range of still and sparkling wines.
Wine Tastings
The Cellar Door offers guided tastings every Friday and Saturday (advance booking required).
For £35 per person, guests enjoy:
Three English white wines
Two sparkling wines
One rosé
One red wine
Mead and selected spirits
Nibbles throughout the tasting
Expert hosts explain how the wines are produced, where the grapes are grown, tasting techniques, and tips for choosing wine in shops and restaurants.
Afterwards, visitors receive a 10% discount in the Cellar Door shop, where a wide selection of English wines, spirits, fruit wines and liqueurs is available to sample and buy.
Dalwood Vineyard
Only three miles from The Old Bakehouse, Dalwood Vineyard is a charming family-run vineyard in one of East Devon’s prettiest villages.
Guided vineyard tours give visitors the opportunity to stroll among the vines, discover the different grape varieties grown on site, and enjoy relaxed tastings of the vineyard’s wines.
Rather than charging for the tour itself, Dalwood simply asks guests to pay for what they drink, which typically costs around £20 per person.
For something extra special, the vineyard can also help organise:
Vineyard dinners
Private events
Supper at the renowned Tuckers Arms pub
Dalwood Vineyard is ideal for anyone searching for vineyard tours in Devon, local wine experiences, or things to do near Colyton
Castlewood Vineyard
Nestled on a south-facing hillside overlooking the beautiful Axe Valley, Castlewood Vineyard has been producing premium English wines since 2006.
Owned and managed by the Corbett family, the boutique vineyard specialises in traditional sparkling wine varieties including:
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Pinot Meunier
It also grows Bacchus grapes used to create its popular Devon Minnow still wine.
Castlewood follows a quality-over-quantity philosophy. The wines are naturally clarified without filtration or fining chemicals, while gravity bottling helps preserve freshness and minimise oxygen exposure.
Vineyard Tours & Tastings
Throughout the summer, Castlewood welcomes groups of six or more for guided vineyard tours.
During the two-hour experience, guests will:
Walk through the vineyard while learning about grape growing in East Devon.
Enjoy spectacular views across the Axe Valley.
Visit the beautifully restored 150-year-old cellar.
Sample Castlewood wines alongside local bread and cheese.
It’s one of the most authentic English vineyard tours you’ll find in Devon and a fantastic way to discover the region’s growing reputation for exceptional wines.
Dalwood Vineyard
Stainless steel storage vats at Lyme Bay Winery, capable of holding 10,000 litres