Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Surrey Hills National Landscape stretches across a quarter of Surrey, running from Farnham and Haslemere in the west through Guildford and Dorking, east to Reigate and Oxted. At 422 square kilometres, it was one of the very first landscapes in England to receive Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation in 1958, and in 2023 it was redesignated as a National Landscape, a category that carries equivalent status to a National Park under UK law. The landscape is framed by two principal geological zones: the chalk North Downs to the north and the Greensand Ridge to the south, separated by the low-lying Vale of Holmesdale. The Surrey Hills borders the Kent Downs National Landscape to the east and the South Downs National Park to the southwest. As of 2025 and 2026, Natural England has been progressing a boundary variation process, proposing to add approximately 129 square kilometres of additional land, which would represent the first expansion since the original 1958 designation.

• Covers 422 km2 (163 sq mi), around one quarter of the county of Surrey
• Borders Kent Downs National Landscape to the east and South Downs National Park to the southwest
• Designated AONB in 1958, redesignated as a National Landscape in 2023; boundary unchanged since original designation
• Proposed boundary expansion of 129 km2 progressed through two public consultations in 2023 and 2024, with a draft Order published November 2025

The Surrey Hills' suitability for viticulture is rooted in its dual geology. The North Downs form a ridge of chalk hills, with the topsoil consisting of fertile loam interspersed with flints over a chalk substrate. Where the chalk has eroded, particularly across the Greensand Ridge to the south, the underlying greensand is revealed, offering a different but equally vine-friendly well-drained foundation. The chalk-rich geology is frequently compared to that of Champagne: the billowing chalk of northern France dips under the English Channel and resurfaces in southern England, creating a shared geological heritage that favours the same grape varieties and production methods. At Albury Organic Vineyard, for instance, the site is characterised by clay over chalk, with elevations of 90 to 110 metres on south-southwest-facing slopes, conditions that closely echo the Marne valley in Champagne. Surrey is often cited as one of the sunniest counties in England, offering longer ripening days and south-facing slopes that maximise heat accumulation. The climate is cool and maritime overall, but warming trends since the turn of the millennium have steadily extended the ripening season and improved grape quality, underpinning the surge in new plantings across the region.

• North Downs geology: chalk beneath loam and flint topsoil, similar in composition to the Champagne region of France
• Greensand Ridge soils to the south provide well-drained, mineral-rich alternatives to chalk for viticulture
• South-facing slopes across the AONB maximise sun exposure, critical in England's relatively low-light climate
• Gradual warming since 2000 has lengthened the growing season and enabled more consistent ripening of Champagne varieties

The Vineyards of the Surrey Hills collaboration was formally launched in June 2019, originally uniting five producers: Albury Organic Vineyard, Chilworth Manor Vineyard, Denbies Wine Estate, Greyfriars Vineyard, and High Clandon Estate Vineyard. Since then, Tanhurst Estate and Soloms Court Wine Estate have also joined the group. Spread across barely 15 miles from Greyfriars near Guildford in the west to Denbies near Dorking in the east, the wine route makes for an accessible, intimate English wine touring experience within easy reach of London. All member vineyards sit within or immediately adjacent to the Surrey Hills National Landscape, each offering its own tours, tastings, and events. The collective goal is to market the area as a coherent English wine destination, building on the strong international reputations already established by individual estates. The route is well served by public transport, with Dorking railway station providing direct links to London Waterloo and Victoria.

• Formally launched June 2019, originally comprising five founding vineyards; Tanhurst Estate and Soloms Court Wine Estate have since joined
• The wine route spans approximately 15 miles from Greyfriars (near Guildford) in the west to Denbies (near Dorking) in the east
• Located just 20 miles from central London, with excellent rail links to London Waterloo and Victoria
• Each vineyard offers independent tours, tastings, and seasonal events; a collective summer wine festival is held annually

Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking is the anchor of the Surrey Hills wine scene. Founded by Adrian White in 1986 on a 627-acre estate, it has 265 acres (107 hectares) under vine, making it England's largest single-estate vineyard, accounting for over 10 percent of total UK vine plantings. Its visitor centre attracts around 300,000 visits per year and the estate produces an average of 300,000 litres of wine annually, including still, sparkling, rosé, and sweet styles. Albury Organic Vineyard, planted by Nick Wenman in 2009 on a 20-acre site near the Silent Pool, is Surrey's only certified organic vineyard and additionally holds biodynamic status. Its Silent Pool Rosé was famously served on the Royal Barge during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Greyfriars Vineyard, taken over by Mike and Hilary Wagstaff in 2010, has over 50 acres planted near the Hog's Back on chalk soils and houses a chalk cellar capable of holding 250,000 bottles, specialising in traditional-method sparkling wines. Chilworth Manor Vineyard, a family-run 10-acre estate with a 1,000-year history dating to the Domesday Book, was established as a vineyard in 2013 and opened a Watch House tasting barn in spring 2024. High Clandon Estate Vineyard, established in 2004, produces vintage-only sparkling wines aged a minimum of five years on the lees from the classic Champagne trio of grapes. Tanhurst Estate, with roots dating to 1826, produces still and sparkling wines from approximately 15 acres at Birketts Farm. Soloms Court Wine Estate is the youngest member, focused exclusively on eco-conscious Pinot Noir production.

• Denbies Wine Estate: England's largest single-estate vineyard (265 acres under vine), founded 1986, producing around 300,000 litres per year
• Albury Organic Vineyard: Surrey's only certified organic and biodynamic vineyard, planted 2009, grapes include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Seyval Blanc, and Pinot Gris
• Greyfriars Vineyard: over 50 acres on chalk near the Hog's Back; chalk cellar capacity of 250,000 bottles; specialises in traditional-method sparkling wine
• High Clandon Estate (est. 2004) ages its vintage-only sparkling wines a minimum of five years on the lees, using classic Champagne varieties

The Surrey Hills vineyards are dominated by the three classic Champagne varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These are grown on the chalk and greensand slopes of the North Downs and processed primarily using the traditional method (bottle fermentation with lees ageing) to produce English sparkling wines that have increasingly attracted international recognition. Beyond the Champagne trio, Seyval Blanc is planted notably at Albury and used in blends, particularly sparkling wine cuvees, due to its reliable ripening and disease resistance. Denbies grows a broader range including Bacchus, Ortega, and Solaris for its still wine portfolio, enabling production of aromatic whites and a dessert wine called the Noble Harvest. Chilworth Manor produces sparkling wine alongside a still rosé made from Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. In general, Surrey Hills wines are noted for their bright acidity, clean citrus and orchard fruit character, and mineral backbone derived from the chalk subsoil. Extended lees ageing is common at the most ambitious producers, contributing yeasty complexity and the capacity to develop with bottle age.

• Dominant varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, all suited to the chalk and greensand soils
• Seyval Blanc is used by several producers, particularly in sparkling blends, for its consistent ripening and disease resistance
• Denbies also grows Bacchus, Ortega, and Solaris for aromatic still wines and a botrytis-affected dessert wine
• Primary style is traditional-method sparkling wine; still whites, rosés, and occasional dessert wines are also produced across the route

The Surrey Hills National Landscape is one of the most accessible protected natural areas in England, sitting just 20 miles from central London with strong rail connections. The National Trust manages over 4,000 hectares of countryside within the AONB, including iconic sites such as Box Hill, Leith Hill, and Ranmore Common. Three long-distance walking trails cross the landscape: the North Downs Way, the Greensand Way, and the Pilgrims' Way. The wine tourism offer of the Surrey Hills has grown significantly since the launch of the Vineyards of the Surrey Hills in 2019. Individual estates offer vineyard train tours (Denbies), biodynamic vineyard walks with wildlife habitats (Albury), sculpted gardens and art exhibitions (High Clandon), and atmospheric tasting barns (Chilworth Manor). Sustainability is a prominent theme: Albury Organic Vineyard is a founding member of the Wine GB Sustainability scheme and operates under rigorous biodynamic principles. The broader landscape setting, with its medieval market towns, National Trust properties, artisan food producers, and the Surrey Hills Brewery (on the Denbies estate), makes the area a compelling multi-day rural tourism destination.

• National Trust manages over 4,000 hectares within the Surrey Hills, including Box Hill and Leith Hill
• Three long-distance trails cross the landscape: the North Downs Way, Greensand Way, and Pilgrims' Way
• Albury Organic Vineyard is a founding member of the Wine GB Sustainability scheme and applies biodynamic principles including certified organic status
• Denbies Wine Estate visitor centre receives approximately 300,000 visits per year and offers vineyard train tours, restaurants, and accommodation