Nyetimber or Nutbourne Winery
London Victoria → West Sussex → London Victoria
The British Pullman Nyetimber or Nutbourne Winery day journey is an exquisite one-day escape from London into the sun-dappled vineyards of West Sussex, aboard one of the world's most celebrated vintage trains. Departing London Victoria at 09:30 and returning by 19:30, this single day manages to encompass a three-course brunch in gilded Pullman splendour, a private guided tour of an award-winning English sparkling wine estate, an intimate tasting of estate wines, and a sumptuous three-course dinner on the homeward journey.
The journey alternates between two of West Sussex's finest English wine producers — Nyetimber Estate, the pioneering estate that put English sparkling wine on the global map, and Nutbourne Vineyards, a family-run boutique estate with over four decades of winemaking heritage nestled near the South Downs. Whichever estate is featured on your chosen departure date, the experience is structured around an unhurried afternoon of vineyard exploration, wine education, and guided tasting — all framed by the unparalleled elegance of travel aboard the British Pullman's 1920s and 1930s-era carriages.
This is the quintessential British luxury day out: countryside, culture, fine wine, and the romance of one of England's last working vintage Pullman trains, all within a single unforgettable day. To enquire about available dates and which estate is featured, contact Palace Trains at 1-800-724-5120 or travel@palacetours.com.
- ✦Ten-hour luxury day trip from London Victoria through the Surrey and Sussex countryside
- ✦Three-course brunch with sparkling wine served in restored 1920s and 1930s Pullman carriages
- ✦Private guided tour of either Nyetimber Estate or Nutbourne Vineyards in West Sussex
- ✦Structured tasting of award-winning English sparkling and still wines at the cellar
- ✦Vineyard walk with a South Downs National Park Ranger (Nyetimber departures)
- ✦Three-course dinner with sommelier-paired wines on the return journey to London
- ✦Cellar door shopping at one of England's finest boutique wine estates
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — London Victoria to West Sussex and Back
09:30 — Departure from London Victoria. Guests are welcomed aboard the Belmond British Pullman at London Victoria Station, where white-jacketed stewards escort passengers to their assigned vintage carriages — beautifully restored salon cars dating from the 1920s and 1930s, each with its own name and history. The train departs promptly, and as the London suburbs give way to the rolling fields of Surrey and Sussex, a welcome sparkling Bellini is served at your marquetry-inlaid table.
Morning — Three-Course Brunch on Board. As the countryside unfolds beyond the polished windows, the British Pullman's kitchen brigade serves a leisurely three-course brunch featuring the finest seasonal British produce. Expect carefully composed dishes — from smoked salmon blinis to perfectly crafted eggs benedict or a full English — accompanied by morning tea, coffee, and sparkling wine. The art deco interiors, gleaming brass fittings, and crisp white linen create an atmosphere that effortlessly transports guests to a golden era of rail travel.
Mid-Morning — Arrival in West Sussex. The train arrives at a station in West Sussex, from where private coaches transfer guests the short distance to the featured estate — either Nyetimber or Nutbourne Vineyards.
If visiting Nyetimber Estate (West Chiltington): Guests are welcomed onto the estate with a chilled glass of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée MV, the flagship multi-vintage blend that has made Nyetimber famous worldwide. A South Downs National Park Ranger leads a guided walk through the vineyards, which include some of England's oldest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier vines — the very varieties planted by the Moss family in 1988 that launched the modern English sparkling wine revolution. Guests then move into one of Nyetimber's 15th-century medieval barns, where an expert host delivers an engaging session on the traditional method (méthode champenoise) and the story of how a Sussex estate became a world-class sparkling wine producer. A structured tasting of three Nyetimber wines follows: the celebrated Rosé, the elegant Blanc de Blancs, and the delicately sweet Cuvée Chérie. Guests have free time to explore the estate and visit the cellar door to purchase wines to take home.
If visiting Nutbourne Vineyards (Pulborough): The Gladwin family estate has been producing award-winning wines since 1991, farming 24 acres of south-facing slopes near the South Downs with eight grape varieties. Guests arrive to explore the vineyard, taking in the gently terraced vines, the state-of-the-art winery building, and the serene surroundings of the West Sussex countryside. A guided vineyard and winery tour explains the estate's unique terroir — a warm microclimate protected by the South Downs, with fertile greensand soils remarkably similar to those of Champagne. The tour concludes in the lodge, where guests settle in for an indulgent tasting of six award-winning estate wines, ranging from the signature Sussex Reserve field blend and the off-dry Hedgerow white, through to the estate's sparkling Nutty Vintage and single-varietal still wines. Light accompaniments — pickety bits and artisan canapés — complement the tasting, and the cellar door is open for purchases.
Late Afternoon — Return Coach Transfer and Re-boarding. Guests reboard the private coaches for the short transfer back to the station, where the gleaming British Pullman awaits. The train departs West Sussex for the return journey to London in the gentle light of the late afternoon.
Evening — Three-Course Dinner on Board. As the train rolls northward through the Sussex and Surrey countryside, the British Pullman's chefs present a sumptuous three-course dinner showcasing seasonal British ingredients at their finest — think perfectly rested beef fillet, local game, and beautifully composed desserts. The train's sommelier selects wines to accompany each course, and the meal concludes with tea, coffee, and petits fours, as the lights of London begin to appear through the windows.
19:30 — Arrival at London Victoria. The British Pullman glides back into London Victoria Station, bringing a day of countryside, culture, and fine wine to a close.
Destinations & Highlights
West Sussex — England's Finest Wine Country
West Sussex occupies a privileged position in England's emerging wine landscape. Sheltered by the chalk escarpment of the South Downs, the county enjoys a warm microclimate and free-draining soils — conditions that bear a remarkable resemblance to the Champagne region of northern France. It is no coincidence that the pioneers of English sparkling wine chose West Sussex as their home. Today the county is home to some of England's most celebrated producers, drawing visitors from across the world to its gentle hills, medieval villages, and thriving vineyard estates.
Nyetimber Estate, West Chiltington
Nyetimber is the estate that changed everything for English wine. The manor at West Chiltington appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Nitimbreha — a reference that now graces the label of the estate's most prestigious cuvées. In 1988, American couple Stuart and Sandy Moss made the bold decision to plant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier vines on the estate — the first time these classic Champagne varieties had been grown in the UK expressly for traditional-method sparkling wine. The wine world was sceptical, but the results were extraordinary: Nyetimber's 1992 Blanc de Blancs won gold at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, and the 1993 Classic Cuvée was named Best Sparkling Wine in the World — a result that triggered the so-called Nyetimber effect and inspired a generation of English wine producers. Today, under the stewardship of Dutch entrepreneur Eric Heerema and Chief Winemaker Cherie Spriggs — the first non-Champagne producer to be named International Sparkling Winemaker of the Year — Nyetimber manages 425 hectares across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent, producing around one million bottles annually. The estate's atmospheric 15th-century medieval barns provide an unforgettable setting for tours and tastings.
Nutbourne Vineyards, Pulborough
Nutbourne Vineyards represents the intimate, family-driven side of the West Sussex wine story. Vines were first planted here in 1979, making it one of the county's earliest modern wine estates. Since 1991, the Gladwin family have owned and expanded the vineyard, growing eight grape varieties — Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Bacchus, Huxelrebe, and Reichensteiner — across 24 acres of south-facing slopes near the village of Nutbourne in the Pulborough area. Three distinct trellising systems (Guyot, Scott Henry, and Geneva Double Curtain) reflect the family's attentive, hands-on approach to viticulture. The estate prides itself on whole-estate production: every grape is grown, fermented, aged, and bottled on site. Among the most celebrated wines is the Sussex Reserve, a distinctive field blend drawn from multiple varieties harvested together, and the Nutty Vintage sparkling wine. The estate's commitment to sustainability — through biodiversity projects, winter sheep and alpaca grazing, rainwater harvesting, and carbon offsetting — echoes the South Downs' traditions of careful land stewardship.
Both estates sit within or adjacent to the South Downs National Park, England's newest national park, designated in 2010 for its rolling chalk downland, ancient woodland, and historic villages. The train journey through Surrey and Sussex passes through some of the most picturesque countryside in southern England, making the ride itself an integral part of the experience.