Laurel Vines Vineyard and Winery

You won't find the sort of twee gift shop nonsense here that plagues most English wineries. Laurel Vines, just outside Beverley in East Yorkshire, is a proper working vineyard where they actually grow grapes and make wine rather than just flog someone else's stock. The vineyard itself is modest - Yorkshire's not exactly Bordeaux - but that's rather the point. You get to see what English wine production looks like on a human scale, with rows of vines across gently rolling farmland that wouldn't look out of place in a painting.

The tasting room does exactly what it says on the tin. You'll sample their own output, which tends toward crisp whites and light reds that suit the local terroir. It's educational without being pretentious, the sort of place where staff actually know why the wine tastes the way it does.

Wine enthusiasts will get the most from a visit - folks who want to understand English viticulture rather than just take Instagram photos. It's not a day-long attraction; allow an hour or so, maybe two if you're keen on a proper nose around the vineyard itself. Bring a group of four or more and you'll likely arrange something more tailored.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - High Farm is closest at under three miles, with Kingfisher Lakes and Greengrass Park also within easy reach - it's a cracking afternoon excursion. Beverley town centre is worth a wander too once you're in the area. Ring ahead before you visit; opening times can be variable.