REVIEW: Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire

REVIEW: Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire, afternoon tea

A very short drive from Plas Robin Rural Retreats in Powys – our home for three nights – we ventured across county (and country!) to Shopshire’s Kerry Vale Vineyard.

While maybe a little off the beaten track, it is well known among locals – and, as we found, should be a must-do for visitors. It’s well worth a visit, whether for afternoon tea, a light bite or the full vineyard tour experience. Here you can enjoy a guided Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting, Tour with Cheese and Wine or Tour with Sparkling Afternoon Tea.

But if you want the taste without the tour – they can of course cater for that too. In fact I understand their tastings are incredibly popular.

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire, afternoon tea

This wonderful family-run business grew on the six-acre site of great archaeological interest and once part of the ancient Roman site of Pentreheyling Fort, a vicus (provincial civilian settlement), is on the edge of a number of Roman marching camps.

As well as its Roman history, two decades of archaeological research show the site was once occupied by Bronze Age funerary monuments, a druid road and a medieval settlement – with Offa’s Dyke just a field away!

But it is now the proud home to 6,000 vines of four varieties of wine – Rondo, Pinot Noir, Phoenix and Solaris, ideally suited for the English climate.

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire, afternoon tea

As we were celebrating a friend’s ‘special’ birthday, it seemed fitting to partake in their Sparkling Afternoon Teas – and at Kerry Vale our culinary and cultural appetites were left extremely well satisfied. And what a joy it is to enjoy the ‘fruits’ of the grape pickers’ labour overlooking the vineyards themselves – with the added bonus of, well, plenty of cake! (Worth starving yourself for this one!)

We were very attentitively looked after from start to finish as we devoured our fresh and delicious selection of sweet and savoury treats, beautifully presented and accompanied by a flight of wines for our mini tasing experience.

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire, afternoon tea

My friend and I we were guided through our experience of these locally grown wines with helpfully provided tasting notes to hand. And we both purchased a bottle of or self-declared favourites before leaving.

Don’t worry- for those looking for a lighter bite, there is a tasty lunch menu offering a selection of hot dishes and daily specials all made from the quality locally-sourced ingredients.

 

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire, afternoon tea

Take time to browse the quaint Cellar door gift shop for some unusual local souvenirs too.

Whether you are enjoying a whistlestop tour of the area or enjoying a short break in the area, Kerry Vale is a must-do. If you can find nominated driver, I particularly recommend the wine tasting.

Find our more about Kerry Vale Vineyard at: https://www.kerryvalevineyard.co.uk/

We visited the vineyard whilst staying in the area at Plas Robin Rural Retreats See review here

Kerry Vale Vineyard, Shropshire, afternoon tea

All aboard for a touch of sophistication

All aboard for a touch of sophistication

ONE of the world’s most luxurious trains will be setting out from Coventry and Birmingham in August – but passengers had better look smart if they want to catch it.

For jeans and trainers are frowned upon aboard the ornately-decorated, 1930s-style Pullman carriages of the Northern Belle. – Especially as one of them, named Duart after the ancient home of the Maclean clan in Scotland, used to form part of the Queen’s Royal Train.

Northern Belle, steam train, afternoon tea

Businessmen David Pitts, who bought the train three years ago from the iconic Venice-Simplon Orient Express group, laughed: “This is a very special train. We transport passengers back to the golden days of rail travel. So we do like them to dress up for the occasion.”

Liveried stewards will welcome passengers on board over a red carpet on Saturday August 15th.

Northern Belle, steam train, afternoon tea

Then they will be served a Classic Afternoon Tea of sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones during the five-hour journey through the countryside.

Mr Pitts said: “We like to think there is something quintessentially British about afternoon tea. And what better way of enjoying it than travelling in style on a train from a bygone era?”

Strolling musicians will entertain passengers during the trip and a table conjuror will add a touch of magic to the day.

The train will leave Birmingham at 11am and pick up passengers at Coventry at 11.30 on August 15th.

It is scheduled to arrive back in Birmingham at 4pm and Coventry at 4.30pm. The fare is £210. For further details of this and other planned excursions, COVID-pending, see www.northernbelle.co.uk or phone 01270 899681.