Long before vines took root at Abingworth, this land was rich with stories.
Champions Farm — home to Abingworth Vineyard — has centuries of history. The earliest written record dates to 1296, referencing the “Champeneys of the villat de Sillynghurst cum Thraham.” Over time, the name evolved through Champneys, Champion, and finally Campion — a legacy we’re proud to echo today.
The name Champeney itself is of Old French origin, once used for those from the Champagne region of France. A coincidence far too good not to share.
From Roman Roads to Tudor Timbers
As we tend the vines today, we’re never far from the past.
Parts of the farmhouse date to the 16th century, with the Tudor section surviving a fire in 1900. Earlier still, the land reveals traces of Roman Britain — including a Roman plug discovered in our pond, and evidence of a Roman road running directly beneath Greenhurst Field, now our largest vineyard site.
The vineyard stretches across a Lower Greensand Ridge, known for its free-draining, mineral-rich soils — ideal for vine health and expression. This landscape helps shape the elegant character of our wines.
It’s also still very much a working farm. Sheep have been part of life at Champions Farm for many years, and continue to play a role today. In winter, they graze between the vines — helping to manage grass and weeds naturally, while enriching the soil as they go.
Colourful Characters & Curious Tales
Over the years, Champions — once known as Champions Manor — has seen its share of colourful history:
In the 13th century, a locally infamous dispute over tithe collection on what is now Rush Field ended in violence — involving a hatchet, an arrow, and a very unfortunate priest.
For over 200 years, the estate was owned by the Shelley family, best known for the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. In 1588, his ancestor Edward Shelley was executed for harbouring a Catholic priest, likely at this site as a probable priest hole has since been identified.
Deeper Roots in Thakeham
Abingworth is a hamlet within the village of Thakeham, West Sussex. The area appears in the Domesday Book, but human activity here dates back far earlier — with Neolithic tools and signs of an early Anglo-Saxon settlement nearby.
In the 20th century, the area played a small part in wartime history as a Royal Flying Corps landing ground in WWI, later used for air displays in the 1930s.
A New Chapter in the Making
We’re proud to bring a fresh chapter to this historic corner of West Sussex. The name Abingworth honours the hamlet’s origins, while our wines and branding celebrate its stories.
Our label illustrations, created by Juliet Stedman — one of our founding family — bring together past and present, weaving the land’s history into its next purpose: a home for expressive, high quality English wine.
Visit a Vineyard Full of Stories
From ancient roads and Tudor beams to Roman relics and Pinot Noir, Abingworth is a place where the past meets the present — and where every bottle has a story to tell.
We’d love to welcome you. Come walk the land, taste the wines, and discover what history helped grow.
Take a look around, browse our shop, and discover our range of English wines.
Thinking of visiting? Book a tour or get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.
