Balfour has been making wine in Kent since 2002, and it’s grown into one of the larger English producers — turning out over 400,000 bottles a year from their Staplehurst estate. They focus on sparkling wines, though they make still varieties too, and the operation spans vineyards and orchards spread across Five Oak Lane. You can tour yourself or join an expert-led walk, and there’s a proper restaurant if you want to make an afternoon of it. The tasting room is open daily, staying late on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’re coming by train, Marden station is about three kilometres away, and they run a shuttle bus on weekends. Dogs are fine outside on leads, and children are welcome. The cider gets particular praise from visitors — one called it possibly the best they’d had. It’s the sort of place that works in February as much as in high summer, according to the reviews.
Planning Your Visit
Balfour Winery opens year-round from 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, with extended hours until 9pm on Friday and Saturday. The site includes a tasting room and restaurant serving fine dining, plus both self-guided and expert-led tours through the vineyards and orchards. Dogs are welcome in outdoor areas on leads, and children are welcome throughout. The nearest station is Marden, roughly 3km away, with a weekend shuttle bus service available Saturday and Sunday. You can contact the winery on 01622 832794. Visitors mention the outdoor space works well even in winter, while the six-item sharing plate in the restaurant gets noted as good value. The cider also receives strong recommendations. With 439 Google reviews averaging 4.6 stars, most feedback covers the grounds, staff friendliness and food quality. Check the website for tour bookings and current dining menus.
What to Expect
At Balfour Winery, you can explore both vineyards and orchards through self-guided walks or join expert-led tours that take you through the winemaking process. The estate produces over 400,000 bottles annually, with sparkling wines as their specialty, though they also make still wines. You’ll also find what some visitors call exceptional cider on offer.
The tasting room and shop are open daily, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm. Their restaurant serves sharing plates and fine dining options—one reviewer highlighted a six-item sharing plate as great value. The setting works well across seasons, though naturally it’s more appealing when the weather cooperates.
Getting here takes a bit of planning if you’re using public transport. Marden station is about 3km away, and there’s a shuttle bus but it only runs on weekends. Dogs are welcome in outdoor areas on leads, and children are also welcome. While there’s no accommodation on-site, Balfour owns two nearby pubs (The Goudhurst Inn and The Tickled Trout) that offer rooms if you want to make a longer visit of it.
