Trying a local beer or wine (or perhaps even a gin?) is often a popular holiday activity, and Colchester provides plenty of opportunity for doing just that. With a fine selection of pubs and bars in the city centre you'll find many stocking local beer, craft beer and real ales.
Keep your eye out for local breweries offering tours, as well as a number of beer festivals that are firm fixtures in the calendar. Most notably twice-yearly festivals at Colchester Arts Centre and the East Anglian Railway Museum in Chappel. Stalls and Markets at various local fairs are also a great place to find these local brewers.
Dedham Vale Vineyard is set in 40 acres of vines, woods and pasture on the edge of the Dedham Vale, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Sample the wines and wander through the vines as you enjoy this glorious part of North Essex.
Our stunning vineyard is open Wednesday - Sunday to explore. Stroll through the vines on the Vineyard Trail and spot the wildlife on Ardleigh Reservoir or just relax and take in the view on the terrace with a glass of wine.