Are you a picnic sceptic? Bad memories of surly weather and curly Mother’s Pride? Let Gusbourne help you rediscover the enjoyment of dining outdoors – in fresh air, at a table set with exciting provisions, amongst the warmth of growing vines. Not a soggy travelling rug in sight.
Your first sight on arriving is our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Green Canopy planting of 15 varieties of plum and apple trees. A short walk (or golf buggy ride) up a gravel path to Boot Hill vineyard, and you’re overlooking our Pinot Noir vines down across rolling hills to nearby Romney Marsh. Kent is blessed with some of the country’s sunniest days here in the Garden of England but, just in case, our new picnic space is covered by a dramatic 150sqm bedouin-style stretch tent open on all sides.
Enjoy the panoramas of our biodiverse vineyards and blossoming countryside. We’ve planted 8,000 spring and summer bulbs and 3,000sqm of wildflower seeds. Perhaps you’ll sight our latest residents, a pair of marsh harriers who hover above the trees.
What awaits
Inside our picnic space, ten wooden hand-crafted tables, spaced for privacy and laid with Denby crockery, await. As does your wicker basket, fully loaded with the best of Kent and Sussex produce from homemade breads and charcuterie such as smoked hams and fennel salami to remoulade and vine tomato salads, artisan cheeses and local strawberries. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions including maple-roasted root veg pastries don’t disappoint. And where better to enjoy a bottle of Gusbourne Brut Reserve per couple than amongst the vines that produced it?
Our trained hosting staff will be discreetly on hand to answer any questions about the estate and our wines. And should you wish to add more wines to your table on the day, they’ll happily bring them up from our cellar door The Nest.
And why not...?
If you’d like to explore all the things that make Gusbourne so special and learn more about our approach to growing our grapes and making our wines, why not book one of our guided tours for before or after your picnic.
There’s so much to explore in this historically rich county too, including our pretty home village of Appledore. We guarantee your picnic won’t leave you hungry, but it may stoke your appetite for bringing a taste of the Garden of England home with you by visiting our many local suppliers.
Good to know
We regret that visitors cannot bring their own food and drink onto the Estate. All picnics must be booked in advance and are not available for drop-in guests. Arrive from noon, stay as long as you like until we close. Need to change your date? We’re happy to, with one week’s notice before your booking, subject to availability. Prefer a different sparkling wine or more than the allotted? Just upgrade when booking, or ask our staff at the table. Picnic gift cards are available here.
Gusbourne picnics cost £90 for two people and include a bottle of Gusbourne Brut Reserve (usually £45). All our still wines are available from our cellar door The Nest and online at www.gusbourne.com
You may also like...
