It’s a bright, sunny Good Friday (is this really an English Bank Holiday? Sunshine?) and you have four days ahead of you to relax and enjoy yourself.
If you are wondering what to do with friend and family, I want to share with you a wonderful day we enjoyed last weekend – highly recommended and very local.
Denbies Vineyard, Westhumble, near Dorking
Walk amongst the vines in the sunshine (walks of varying lengths depending on your stamina), tour of the winery, wine tasting, gift shop, coffee shop (delicious cakes), top quality farm shop and plant centre. Plus Surrey Hills Brewery on the same site. So much to do and taste.
Silent Pool Distillery, Off A25, near Newlands Corner
Just a short drive from Denbies, this top class distillery is located in a beautiful setting alongside The Silent Pool (yes it really is a pool – with a great legend behind it) on a farm estate. Distillery tour, tasting room (free samples), shop and outdoor seating for you to enjoy a refreshing G&T (or any of their other amazing drinks).
Norbury Park Farm Cheese Company, Off A25, near Newlands Corner
Right next door to Silent Pool Distillery, this artisan cheesemaker (the only one in Surrey) is run by the delightful Michaela and Neil (less delightful!). They make tangy, creamy Norbury Blue and soft, creamy, salty Dirty Vicar cheeses.
Take a tour of the dairy or just gaze longingly and hungrily through the observation glass whilst sampling some of the best cheeses made in England today.
The cheese counter means you can buy some pieces or whole cheeses to take home and enjoy – or even better buy a cheese platter to enjoy in the sunshine with your G&T!!
Greyfriars Vineyard, Off Hogs Back, near Puttenham
A few miles to the west and still in the glorious Surrey Hills, you will find Greyfriars Vineyard. Makers of in my opinion, the best Sparkling Wines made in England today, you can visit the vineyards (some good steep walks), enjoy a wine tasting and buy some to take home for enjoyment later. I highly recommend all of their wines but my favourites are their Sparkling Rosé Reserve and still Pinot Gris.
(To give you an idea of how highly we rate this place, it was the venue for our wedding reception 18 months ago – but that was because they are great mates, it isn\’t actually a wedding venue at all, but the setting and the day was stunning)
Why not take a drive out into the Surrey Hills and enjoy all four of these amazing artisan producers and stock up on some quality drinks and cheeses?