Countryfile star reveals UK's best hidden gems from stunning vineyards that beat France to the pretty secret beaches

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

MATT Baker has unearthed undiscovered gems on his journey around the British Isles.
For his new TV series,
6
Matt says he's found sparkling wine to rival French Champagne
Credit: More4
6
The Domaine Evremond vineyard produces English wine
Credit: More4
On his journey across the UK to see what makes the country tick, Matt heads to the Domaine Evremond vineyard.
The Taittinger family, who own the vineyard, have teamed up with one of the world's most prestigious champagne houses to realise a dream of making the first true Anglo-French sparkling wine - and it worked.
When Sun Travel asked Matt whether it tasted similar to Champagne he responded: "It's the same. The only reason you can't call it Champagne is because it's not grown in the Champagne region.
"It's so good, I'd go as far as saying it was the most beautiful sparkling wine that I've ever tasted.
Read More on British Isles
"It has its roots, literally, in Britain, but it's got that taste that is so familiar with high-end sparkling wine, and it's grown right here in Kent."
The reason Kent is renowned for its
Matt explained that Domaine Evremond has all the same qualities as vineyards in the
The vineyard
produces a sparkling wine called
Classic Cuvée,
which is made in a blend of Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay,
and
Pinot Meunier
grapes
.
Most read in Beach holidays
You can go to the vineyard yourself and book a tasting and follow in Matt's footsteps by taking a tour from just £25.
During the four-episode series, Matt heads over to Wales, up to Scotland, but one of his most memorable stops was in Northern Ireland.
Countryfile star bags brand new role worlds away from hit BBC farming series
6
The Antrim coastline is best viewed on horseback according to Matt
Credit: More4
Matt goes up to Northern Ireland's most northerly tip to meet the McKinley family, where for generations, they've run Sheans Horse Farm.
It's based in the hills of North Antrim which has incredible views across the coastline.
Matt told us: "Oh my gosh, the Antrim coast is just breathtaking.
"The landscape is used for Game of Thrones now, that's filmed over there because the landscape is so jaw-dropping.
"We went horse riding across the cliff tops. When you look down, you see all these beautiful little coves that you wouldn't even know were there."
He added: "It's such a beautiful way to travel, on horseback, especially if you want to do a bit of nature spotting because all the wildlife comes out to see what's going on."
6
The Antrim coast has some beautiful beaches
Credit: Alamy
6
Matt also ventures to Kilkeel Harbour to have fish and chips
Credit: More4
Stand-out beaches on the Antrim coast are the sandy shores of
Benone Strand and Portrush's East and West Strands.
There's also
others, like
White Park Bay
and
Ballycastle Beach
.
Another area of the Northern Irish coastline that Matt explores is Kilkeel Harbour where he met the country's only female harbourmaster - and enjoyed the landscape too.
Matt said: "It's a big, beautiful, wonderful, welcoming community, and when I went it was a beautiful day.
"We sat there sitting having fish and chips there and just being chatting with the locals - it was great."
For anyone wanting to see parts of the British Isles they wouldn't usually get a look at, Matt has everyone covered.
He added: "I really love where we live in Britain with the four nations that we've got, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England.
"We visit all of those nations throughout the episodes - we've amalgamated it all into the ultimate celebration of the British Isles."
For any British Isles adventurers,
And the
Watch Matt Baker's British Isles on Tuesdays at 9pm on More4.
6
Matt Baker's new series celebrates the British Isles
Credit: More4