Set within the grounds of Wickham Hall in Bishop’s Stortford, Bailey Hills Estates is a bit of a hidden gem. With over 5,000 vines (yes, they planted every single one themselves), a shiny on-site winery and a seriously stylish Tasting Room, this is English sparkling done spectacularly well.

A family-run affair, Bailey Hills was founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife duo Dylan and Eloise Ford, inspired by family trips to the South of France and a shared love of all things viniculture. Fast forward to now and the results are impressively drinkable: two Classic Cuvées (2021 and 2022) plus a Sparkling Rosé (2022).

The show-stopping Tasting Room overlooks the vines. An impressive space, it’s big on wow factor thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, an extended bar and chic, contemporary interiors. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s the perfect spot to sample Bailey Hills’ three Premium English Sparkling Wines, with expert guidance from the team. And yes, there are extras. A rather lovely cheese board and a selection of charcuterie make a tasting here feel more indulgent than instructional.

Looking to host a special occasion? The Tasting Room can cater for up to 150 guests, making it an ideal venue for private events and celebrations.

Next to the Tasting Room is the purpose-built winery (it opened in Sept 2025). This means everything now happens on site — from grape to bottle — under the watchful eye of Head Winemaker Sam whose precision, care and craftsmanship is clearly evident.

Want to see it in action yourself? Course you do. Vineyard tours and tastings run throughout the summer months with seasonal events popping up across the year too.