Sussex Wine Tour from London: Vintage Bus & Vineyard Tastings

Two Vineyards, One Vintage Bus, Zero Designated Driver Stress

You travel by train from London Bridge to Brighton, then spend the day on a vintage 1960s bus visiting two Sussex vineyards. At each stop, you get a guided vineyard tour and a tutored tasting of four or more wines. Lunch is a picnic hamper eaten among the vines. The return train ticket is included, so you arrive back in London without having driven or arranged transport yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Vintage bus wine tour in Sussex

• Meet guide at London Bridge station
• Travel one hour to Brighton
• Board vintage bus at Brighton station
• Tour first vineyard and winery
• Taste four sparkling wines
• Enjoy picnic lunch among vines
• Board 1960's Routemaster bus
• Visit second vineyard for tasting
• Taste still and sparkling wines
• Walk vineyard and visit winery shop

The experience

You're standing at London Bridge station wondering if a wine tour really needs to be this complicated. This one isn't. A guide meets you there, you take the train to Brighton in an hour, and then the day becomes about the wines and the Sussex countryside, not about logistics. The vintage Routemaster bus (a proper 1960s London bus, the kind you see in postcards) picks you up at Brighton rail station, and that's when the actual tour begins.

The first vineyard is where you learn how English sparkling wine gets made. Your guide walks you through the vines and the winery itself, then sits you down for a tutored tasting of four award-winning sparkling wines. After that comes the picnic, a proper wicker hamper filled with homemade seasonal food, eaten among the vines or in the barn depending on the weather. It's the kind of lunch that doesn't feel rushed, which matters when you're tasting wine at midday.

The afternoon repeats the format but changes the vineyard. You board the bus again, drive to the second site, and taste at least four more wines. This time still and sparkling mixed together. There's time to walk the vineyard grounds and browse the winery shop if you want to buy a bottle or two to take home. The whole day runs on a fixed schedule, which means you're not waiting around or wondering what happens next. It also means the return train from Brighton back to London Bridge is already built in, so you know when you'll be home.

What makes this different from driving yourself or hiring a car is simple: you taste without thinking about the drive back. The rail tickets are included, the guide handles the pacing, and the vintage bus is the kind of detail that makes the day feel like an event rather than just a checklist of wineries. Groups stay small, dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are handled before you book, and the whole thing works in any weather as long as you dress for it.

What’s included

• Open return rail tickets from London Bridge to Brighton.
• professional guide and tour escort.
• guided vineyard and winery tour at two Sussex vineyards.
• tutored wine tastings (at least eight wines total).
• picnic hamper with homemade seasonal ingredients and a glass of wine.
• transport by vintage 1960s Routemaster bus.
• vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options available on request.
• GST included.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 Apr 2027

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 18 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Great British Wine Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste English wine without arranging transport or a designated driver: the train and vintage bus handle both, which is what lets you relax into the tastings instead of managing the day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What time does the tour start from London Bridge?

Your guide meets you at London Bridge railway station in the morning. The exact departure time is confirmed when you book.

How long is the train journey from London to Brighton?

Approximately one hour.

How many wines do you taste in total?

At least eight wines across the two vineyards: four sparkling wines at the first vineyard and at least four still and sparkling wines at the second.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a picnic hamper filled with homemade, seasonal local ingredients. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

Can you buy wine to take home?

Yes. There is time to visit the winery shop at the second vineyard.

What if I have dietary requirements?

Notify the operator at the time of booking and they will arrange vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options for your picnic hamper.

Is the return train ticket included?

Yes. Open return rail tickets from London Bridge to Brighton are included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather. Dress appropriately for the conditions.

Are wheelchair users able to join?

Wheelchair users are welcome. Some parts of the tour may not be accessible. Email the operator before booking to discuss your specific requirements.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 18 years old.