Gusbourne

FAQS

Orders, deliveries and shipping

Visits and tours

Gift Vouchers

Our Cellar Door

How long will my order take to arrive?

Our Standard Free delivery is usually takes between 2-5 working days of your order being placed, and is available across the UK mainland.

Delivery on all UK Mainland orders under 2kg - (2-5 working days)

Delivery on all UK Mainland orders over 2kg - (1-2 working days)

If you would like your order to be delivered on a specific date, please advise in the Further Information field field when placing your order. Alternatively, get in touch at info@gusbourne.com with your order number and we will do our best to help. Unfortunately, we are not able to specify weekend delivery.

We do not currently offer weekend delivery. Any orders delivered by Royal Mail may arrive on a Saturday, however orders over 2kg will arrive on a working day.

Can I request delivery on a specific day?

We will be happy to arrange delivery on any specific weekday where we can. Please leave your delivery requirements in the "Special Instructions" field, or email us at info@gusbourne.com, including your request and order number.

Deliveries outside mainland UK

Unfortunately, we’re no longer able to ship internationally for Gusbourne orders. To place an order for delivery outside of the UK, you can find our network of partners and distributors in the delivery details page.

If you need further assistance specifically on international deliveries, please contact exports@gusbourne.com.

I made a mistake in my order. Can I amend it?

Unfortunately, once an order is placed we are unable to amend it. However you can cancel before it has been dispatched. Please email info@gusbourne.com with your order number and details to arrange an order cancellation.

Special instructions

To provide specific delivery instructions, such as leaving your wine in a safe place, please use the ‘special instructions’ box on the checkout page. If you would like us to include a printed personal message with your order, please add your message in the ‘gift message’ section.

Gift Cards

Physical gift cards for our tour and tasting experiences are sent out by Royal Mail first class throughout the UK. You can also either send a digital confirmation email to yourself at the time of purchase, or to the gift recipient's email address on a specific date that you set.

How can I book a tour or tasting?

You can choose from our experiences available from our Tours and Tastings page here. If you would like help choosing the right tour for you, please get in touch by calling +44 (0)1233 884680 or emailing nest@gusbourne.com

How to find us / directions by car

You can find us at:
Gusbourne,
Kenardington Road,
Appledore, Ashford,
Kent,
TN26 2BE

DRIVING:
You’ll find us by turning off Kenardington Road at the junction with Snargate Road, where the Gusbourne driveway is immediately on the left. We are a 15 minute drive from Ashford – you will approach down Kenardington Road and the turning to Snargate Road will be on your left. If you arrive at a crossroads leading into Appledore, you’ve gone too far.

We are 10 minutes from Rye – you will approach through the village of Appledore, and on leaving the village, you’ll arrive at a crossroads where you’ll take a right towards Kenardington and Ashford. This takes you on to the Kenardington Road and after a minute or two’s driving, the turning to Snargate Road will be on your right. Directions can be found here.

How to find us / Directions via public transport

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
We are located just a short taxi journey from Ashford International, with trains departing every 15 minutes from St Pancras International and Stratford International. You can also take the Hastings train from Ashford for three stops to Rye station and take a taxi from there. Appledore station is not served by taxis or regular buses.

We would highly recommend booking a taxi for both journeys to/from Gusbourne in advance of your visit, especially if visiting on the weekend. Our recommended taxi providers are:

Ashford
ETM Cars 01233-629551
Ashford Taxis 01233-646646
Ghurkha Taxi 01233-666771
Express Taxis 01233-884333
Rye
Rye Taxis 07774-633046
Compass Taxis 07542-428182

Parking

You can park free of charge at the vineyard. It is only a short walk from the parking area to the tasting room. We do not have facilities for coach parking.

Acessibility

If you or one of your party have restricted walking ability, please contact us in advance of your visit, and we’ll make arrangements for you to be as comfortable as possible, such as using our golf buggies to take you around the vineyards. The tasting room has ramp access, and accessible toilets suitable for a person with restricted walking ability and for those that use a wheelchair some of the time.

We welcome registered carers and assistance dogs free of charge when they are accompanying visitors with special needs.

Children

Our hosted experiences include a guided wine tasting, with some also offering a tour of our working vineyards. As such, these experiences are not suitable for children. You are welcome to bring children on a self-guided tour around our estate free of charge, and The Nest serves soft drinks for drivers and under-18s.

If you would like any additional advice before bringing children to the estate, please email nest@gusbourne.com, or telephone 01233 884680.

Dogs

We’re delighted to welcome dogs to the vineyard and there are plenty of spaces where they can join you during your visit. If you’re taking a self-guided tour, your dog is free to enjoy our outdoor areas with you, and they’re also welcome in our outdoor hospitality spaces.

Inside our tasting room, The Nest, your dog is welcome to join you on the ground floor only. This is where we host our Sparkling Tasting Flights and Vineyard Platters during the cooler months. Because our Estate Tour, Icons Experience and other special events take place upstairs, dogs aren’t able to join those experiences.

For everyone’s comfort and safety, please keep dogs on a lead at all times.

Cancellations

If you have booked a ticket for a tour or wine tasting event and you do not arrive for your scheduled booking, then the tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded, unless at our discretion. Any request for a refund or transfer must be made in writing, directed to nest@gusbourne.com. If we cancel your booking in its entirety, you will be entitled to a full refund for the purchase price. Tickets will be exchanged or refunded at the price paid for them, but no further compensation will be paid. To read our full cancellation policy click here.

Allergen information

If you have a food allergy, please let us know when you book or before your visit. If this slips your mind, please make a member of staff aware as soon as possible on your arrival.

Although every effort is made to provide allergen free dishes, owing to our kitchen layout we cannot guarantee cross contamination of any of the following 14 allergens: cereals, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide & sulphites, tree nuts. Our dishes are therefore not guaranteed as “free-from”.
For more information or details of menu ingredients please speak to a member of staff.

How long is my gift voucher valid for?

All our gift vouchers are valid for 12 months after purchase. You can check the validity of your voucher here by entering its unique number.

I’ve lost my gift voucher. Can you help?

We’ll do our best. First, please search your email inbox for “Gusbourne” to see if you can locate your Gift Voucher number (beginning with GU). Then forward this to us at nest@gusbourne.com and we can check whether it’s valid. If you’re not able to find your email, don’t worry – we can still try and locate your voucher. Please email nest@gusbourne.com with the following details: your name, email address (yours, or that of the person who gifted your voucher), the month and year it was purchased.

Can I book an experience that costs more than the value of my gift voucher?

Yes. If you’d like to book an event of higher value than your gift voucher, then our team will be happy to help. To pay the difference in value, simply get in touch on email nest@gusbourne.com or call +44 (0)1233 884680.

Can I use my gift voucher to purchase wine?

Unfortunately not. Gusbourne gift vouchers can only be redeemed against tours, tastings and experiences at our estate in Appledore. You can browse upcoming events here.

If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team at The Nest.

You no longer offer the picnic for two: how do i redeem my voucher?

Your Picnic for Two voucher is still valid. You can redeem it for our new Vineyard Platter for Two with Wine experience. This offers a very similar sharing menu, with the added benefit of being available all year round – enjoyed outside in warmer months and served indoors during cooler weather. You can book this experience here.

I have an estate tour voucher – can i use it for a seasonal tour, such as harvest or festive?

Yes, absolutely. Your Estate Tour voucher can be redeemed for any of our Estate Tour experiences, including our seasonal variations such as the Harvest Estate Tour and the Festive Estate Tour. These follow the same format as our classic Estate Tour, with added touches that celebrate the time of year.

Can I return my order?

We work with trusted couriers to make sure your delivery reaches you in perfect condition.
If your order has been damaged in transit, please contact us at info@gusbourne.com to arrange its return and we will refund or replace your order as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept returns for any other reason.

How long will it take to process a refund?

As soon as the goods have been received back at our warehouse, we'll issue your refund as soon as possible. Please note this may take 7-10 working days to reach your account.

How should I store my wine?

For long term storage, wines should be kept at a cool and constant temperature, away from strong sunshine and bright artificial light. Wine sealed with a cork should be stored on its side to keep the cork moist.

As a member, can I purchase wines at my preferential price on the website?

When you become a member, you will be invited to create an account with us, when you log in after this has been created you will be able to purchase at your preferential prices. To find out more and join, you can

visit our membership page
send your request to membership@gusbourne.com,
or call us at +44 (0)1233 884680

Planning a corporate event and gifting, what we offer

We'll work with you to create the perfect event for your company, complete with generous Gusbourne hospitality. Or show your appreciation with our range of luxury gifts. You can find out more here, or get in touch with us at corporate@gusbourne.com.

Treat your colleagues to Gusbourne's fine English wines and experiences. Just an hour from London, you'll find a warm welcome at our beautiful Kent vineyards.

We’ve got a gift voucher for an experience and it expires soon. Can we extend the date or swap it for wine or another experience?

You can use your voucher to book any available date in our calendar, even if your visit takes place after the expiry date - just make sure you make the booking before it expires.

You can check live availability online anytime.

Vouchers are valid for one year from the date of purchase and unfortunately can’t be extended, exchanged for wine, or transferred to a different experience.

I have a voucher for a sparkling tasting flight, but want to book another experience on the same day – can I do that online?

Yes, you can check our calendar for the day you plan to visit and book more than one experience.

For example, we find the Sparkling Wine Flight, Classic Vineyard Tour and Limited Edition Wine Flight all work well with the Vineyard Platter for Two, and timings of these compliment each other.

In contrast, the Estate Tour with Lunch and Icons Experience with Lunch are full day experiences and we don’t advise booking another experience on the same day.

You used to do picnics, why can’t I see these on the website or buy a voucher?

We have launched a new experience that replaces our Picnic for Two, called the Vineyard Platter for Two with Wine, which is available all year round.

In the summer, it is served outside on our terrace, with a seasonal menu that is very similar to our previous Picnic for Two experience.

In the colder months, we seat you inside our tasting room and serve an updated menu to reflect the season.

This experience is available as a gift card, or we sell digital gift vouchers in denominations of £10, £50 and £100 instead if you can’t decide which experience or wine to gift.

When dining on a Gusbourne experience, do you offer gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options?

Yes, we’re happy to cater for dietary requirements wherever possible. When you book an experience that includes food, please use the prompt during checkout to let us know your needs.

If you aren’t able to let us know at the time of booking, please email nest@gusbourne.com at least a week before your visit.

We cannot guarantee to meet dietary requirements if we are informed on the day, as our catering is bespoke, and we do not have a restaurant on site.

I have a food allergy, what do I need to know about dining at Gusbourne

If you have a food allergy, please make a member of staff aware as soon as possible.

Although every effort is made to provide allergen free dishes, owing to our kitchen layout we cannot guarantee cross contamination of any of the following 14 allergens: cereals, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide & sulphites, tree nuts.

Our dishes are therefore not guaranteed as “free-from”. For more information or details of menu ingredients please speak to a member of staff or contact nest@gusbourne.com.

Can I bring children to Gusbourne?

Our hosted experiences include wine tastings and tours of our working vineyards. With health and safety concerns in mind, these experiences are not suitable for children of any age.

You are welcome to bring children on outdoor experiences, such as the self-guided tour, and on summer experiences that are held on our outdoor terrace, such as the Vineyard Platter for Two.

In the summer, you may also bring children to our outside bar, which offers wine by the glass and bottle, and a selection of light lunches and snacks without pre-booking.

We serve soft drinks for drivers and under-18s.

Can I bring my dog to Gusbourne?

Inside our tasting room, The Nest, your dog is welcome to join you on the ground floor only. This is where we host our Sparkling Tasting Flights and Vineyard Platters during the cooler months. Because our Estate Tour, Icons Experience and other special events take place upstairs, dogs aren’t able to join those experiences.

For everyone’s comfort and safety, please keep dogs on a lead at all times.

We are booking a taxi to collect us after our experience. What time shall we book it for?

We list the expected duration of an experience in our booking confirmations, but you are welcome to stay with us until the estate closes at 5pm.

How long does each experience last?

For our hosted experiences:
Estate Tour with Lunch – 4 hours, expect to be finished at 3.30pm
Icons Experience with Lunch – 4 hours, expect to be finished at 3.30pm
Limited Edition Wine Flight – 90 minutes
Classic Vineyard Tour and Tasting – 90 minutes

The experiences below are more flexible, and you can give yourself as much time as you like to enjoy your experience with us, until the estate closes at 5pm. We have given some guidance below:
Vineyard Platter for Two – 1-2 hours
Sparkling Wine Flight – 1 hour
Self-guided Tour – 45 minutes

What can I do at the Nest if I haven’t pre-booked?

Our self-guided tour takes you on a lovely 45-minute walking route through the vines. After your walk, stop for a glass of wine and a selection of snacks or platters (available Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the summer). We also have a shop for purchasing wine to take away. No booking necessary.

Can we eat at Gusbourne?

If you are looking to eat with us, we recommend pre-booking one of our experiences, from multi-course wine lunches, such as our Estate Tour with Lunch and our Icons Experience with Lunch, to laid-back picnic-style platters such as our Vineyard Platter for Two.

If you have not booked in advance, we serve wine by the glass and the bottle, and a small menu of snacks and platters for walk-in visitors on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This is served outside on the terrace from May to September, and inside in the autumn and winter months. Please call ahead to confirm.
Tel: +44 (0)1233 884680. Open daily, Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 17:00, including bank holidays.

Can I book a table at your restaurant?

We do not have a restaurant on the estate, but if you are looking to eat with us, we recommend pre-booking one of our experiences, from multi-course wine lunches, such as our Estate Tour with Lunch and our Icons Experience with Lunch, to laid-back picnic-style platters such as our Vineyard Platter for Two.

Can I bring my own picnic to Gusbourne?

We kindly ask that only food and drink purchased at Gusbourne is consumed on site. This allows us to ensure the best possible experience for all our guests and helps us support our local food producers. Through the summer months, you can enjoy casual dining with no need to pre-book on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

I’ve booked an experience but need to move it. What do I do?

We are always happy to move your booking to an alternative date, assuming we have availability. If you are dining with us as part of your experience (on the Estate Tour, Icons Experience or Vineyard Platter), please let us know at least a week before your visit, as our catering is bespoke.

Email nest@gusbourne.com, or telephone 01233 884680. Open daily, Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 17:00, including bank holidays.

Can you get married at Gusbourne?

No, unfortunately we do not offer weddings at the vineyard, but you can get engaged here [insert link to new page]. We can also help with wedding wine supply, and host private tastings, lunches and events for the wedding party and guests either before or after the big day.

Email nest@gusbourne.com, or telephone 01233 884680. Open daily, Monday - Sunday 10:00 - 17:00, including bank holidays.

I don’t have a car. What’s the best way to get to Gusbourne?

We are located just a short taxi journey from Ashford International, with trains departing every 15 minutes from St Pancras International and Stratford International. You can also take the Hastings train from Ashford for three stops to Rye station and take a taxi from there. We don’t recommend travelling to Appledore station, as is not served by taxis or regular buses and walking from there is both dangerous and lengthy!

We would highly recommend booking a taxi for both journeys to/from Gusbourne in advance of your visit.

Our preferred taxi provider is ETM Cars. Our agreed set rate from Ashford is £30 and advance bookings should be made via info@etmcars.co.uk quoting Gusbourne.

Do you offer a shuttle service from a local station?

No, we don’t. If you book one of our experiences, we provide taxi numbers and travel information in the confirmation email.

Can you book accommodation and taxis for my visit?

I’m afraid not. We do not have overnight accommodation on the estate, but we keep an up to date list of all our local recommendations, including accommodation, taxis and eating and drinking at other venues in the area. When you book an experience with us we also provide taxi numbers in the confirmation email.

I’m visiting for my birthday, is there anything special you can offer?

We are not set up as a restaurant and are unable to offer any special desserts or celebration cakes. We can pre-arrange the sale and service of favourite bottles of wine, either to drink on site after your experience, or, gift-boxed to take away.

I would like to book an experience, but what will it be like in the autumn/winter months?

Autumn/winter is usually a beautiful time in the vineyard with the grape harvest taking place in October, autumn colours as the seasons change, and we’ve even had a covering of snow at certain times of year. Although the temperature may be cooler, we always have plenty to talk about and cosy inside spaces with beautiful views over the estate. If your experience includes a tour, we do recommend dressing for the season.

What shall I wear to visit Gusbourne?

Whatever you feel comfortable in - we do not have a specific dress code.

We recommend dressing for the season, and if your experience involves a tour of our vineyard, sensible footwear, coats and umbrellas are recommended, just in case.

In terms of footwear, we are a working vineyard, so you won’t be out of place in welly boots, trainers or walking boots.

If you’d like to dress up, please do, but be aware that you may need to negotiate stairs, gravel, grass and other uneven surfaces during your visit.

What’s your cancellation policy?

If you have booked a ticket for a tour or wine tasting event and you do not arrive for your scheduled booking, then the tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded, except at our discretion.

Any request for a refund or transfer must be made in writing, directed to nest@gusbourne.com.

If we cancel your booking in its entirety, you will be entitled to a full refund for the purchase price.

Tickets will be exchanged or refunded at the price paid for them, but no further compensation will be paid.

Read our full cancellation policy here.