Sussex: Vineyard Bus Tour with Lunch & Wine Tastings

Summary

Vintage London bus ride through Sussex vineyards with tastings and picnic lunch

You’ll ride a vintage London bus from Brighton into Sussex for guided tours of two local vineyards with expert hosts. Taste award-winning sparkling and still wines, enjoy a picnic lunch among the vines, and soak up countryside views without worrying about driving back. It’s relaxed, sociable, and full of small moments you’ll want to remember.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sussex vineyard tours and tastings

• Depart from Brighton rail station
• Travel on vintage London bus to first vineyard
• Tour vineyard and winery
• Taste four award-winning sparkling wines
• Enjoy picnic lunch among the vines
• Board vintage bus to second vineyard
• Taste still and sparkling wines
• Relax or walk around vineyard grounds

Top questions

Where does the Sussex vineyard bus tour start?

The tour departs from Brighton rail station.

Is transportation included in the Sussex wine tour?

Yes, transportation by vintage London Routemaster bus is included.

How many vineyards do we visit on this day trip?

You visit two different Sussex vineyards during the tour.

Are wine tastings included at both vineyards?

Yes, tutored tastings are included at both stops with sparkling and still wines.

Is lunch provided during the vineyard tour?

Yes, a picnic hamper lunch with local Sussex produce is included.

Can I join if I use a wheelchair or stroller?

Wheelchair users are welcome; please email to discuss requirements. Strollers are allowed too.

What’s the minimum age for this wine tour?

The minimum age is 18 years old.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Brighton station aboard a vintage double-decker bus, guided tours at two Sussex vineyards with expert hosts explaining English wine production, tutored tastings of sparkling and still wines at each stop, plus a picnic hamper lunch served among the vines before returning comfortably by bus in the afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever tried English sparkling wine?” our guide, Tom, asked as we climbed onto this red double-decker at Brighton station. I’d never been on a Routemaster before — the seats were bouncy and the windows rattled just enough to make it feel like an adventure already. The countryside outside was all rolling green and yellow, hedges flashing past, and I remember thinking it smelled faintly of rain even though the sun was out. There were eight of us, mostly couples, but everyone loosened up fast once Tom started telling stories about Sussex wine (and how he once got stuck in mud trying to pick grapes).

The first stop was this family-run vineyard tucked between low hills. We walked right through rows of vines — you could smell the earth, sharp and sweet at the same time — while our vineyard host explained why Sussex soil makes such good fizz. Inside the winery it was cool and echoey; I’m still not sure I understood everything about malolactic fermentation, but tasting four different sparkling wines on that terrace made me care less about technicalities. One tasted like fresh pears, another almost salty? Maybe my palate’s not fancy enough. Lunch came in these old-fashioned wicker hampers: homemade quiche, crusty bread, little jars of chutney, and a glass of their white. We ate sitting on blankets under the vines. Someone’s dog wandered over hoping for crumbs.

After lunch we piled back onto the bus (someone had bought two bottles already) and headed off to another vineyard for more tastings — this time some still wines too. The guide here had this dry sense of humor; she told us about “English summer” meaning bring your raincoat just in case (it stayed dry though). You could wander around the grounds or just sit on their sun terrace looking out at all those neat rows stretching away into late afternoon light. I sat there longer than planned — it felt peaceful in that way you only get after a couple glasses of good wine and no need to drive home.