Just a taste - Discover Ashford's vineyards by train with Southeastern

From here, we’re going to indulge in a little luxury shopping, so hop off the train and walk just a few minutes up the road to Ashford Designer Outlet. Here you can shop more than 100 designer brands for up to 60% less! Peruse Nike, shop The North Face, wander Tommy Hilfiger or treat yourself in Rituals, all before grabbing some shots of the 25,000 square feet Living Wall.

Head back to the station and board your next train to Chilham, a pretty Kentish village just 12 minutes away. Photographers, Instagrammers and TikTokers, be sure to spend a little time here as this historic chocolate box village is an absolute must-capture!

Lunch and wine tasting

Your first sips of Kentish wine await at the Tudor Peacock, a short wander from the station that sits right in the heart of Chilham Village Square. Set in an original 14^th century Wealden hall House, Tudor Peacock is a cosy independent tasting room, shop and bar that is proud to offer an exceptional range of Kentish wine, so get ready to raise your glass! Sip and sample wines from across Ashford and Tenterden, and beyond, including Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Biddenden and more, and learn about why Ashford’s chalky soil, climate and incredible winemakers have made for such show-stopping sparkling and still wines.

The perfect complement to Kentish wine has got to be Kentish food, so be sure to order a cheese or charcuterie board (or both) for lunch while you’re here. Expect artisan cheeses from local Cheesemakers of Canterbury, Kentish crackers from Zingiberi Bakery in Herne Bay, or enjoy chorizo, black pepper salami and venison terrine from Wilsons Provisions in nearby Ash.

First up we have Domaine Everemond, just seven minutes by taxi from Tudor Peacock. This long-awaited vineyard is set to open in October of 2024, after the first vines were planted in 2017. It was right here that Champagne House, Taittinger chose to produce English wine because of the area’s chalk soil which is so similar to that of the Côte de Blancs. Trust us, if you’re able to visit once they open and release their first wines, this is an absolute must for your list. 

Or, how about hopping back on the train to Ashford and picking up a taxi from the station to Gusbourne, just 19 minutes away. This vineyard and winery is the pinnacle of quality, with a vision to make the finest wines in the world. Choose from still or sparkling flights, push the boat out with an Estate Tour, or indulge with a limited-edition flight. With so many tours and tastings on offer, choose your perfect experience and discover what makes Gusbourne just so special.

Another fantastic choice is Westwell Wine Estate, just a 17-minute taxi ride away from Chilham. Westwell is proud to use their beautiful location on the North Downs to their advantage, with the ideal combination of soil, setting and climate helping to produce their minimal intervention wines. Take a tour and tasting and learn about their commitment to sustainability, their exceptional still and sparkling wines and their love of new and experimental methods, including skin contact, wild ferments and more.

Dinner

Now we’ve introduced you to our wines, it’s only right we introduce you to our beer, so your final stop is the Curious Brewery, just a few minutes’ walk from Ashford International Station. This award-winning brewery is a local favourite with their range of craft beer and cider, brewed right on site. Sip on classics like their Curious Brew and Session IPA or try seasonal specials and brews made exclusively for the taproom. Once you’ve selected your beer, it’s time to tuck in so choose from hand-stretched pizzas or an ever-changing menu of local produce and take a seat in the restaurant overlooking the brewery.