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

MATT Baker has unearthed undiscovered gems on his journey around the British Isles.

For his new TV series, Matt Baker's British Isles, the Countryfile star finds beautiful beaches on the Northern Irish coastline and reveals he's found tasty sparkling wine at a Champagne-worthy vineyard in Kent.

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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.

"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 English vineyards is the climate and soil, which are well-suited for growing grapes that produce high-quality wine.

Matt explained that Domaine Evremond has all the same qualities as vineyards in the Champagne region

The vineyard produces a sparkling wine called Classic Cuvée, which is made in a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes.

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.

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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."

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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, here are five islands off the coast of the UK that you can visit without needing your passport.

And the British Isle that gets summer weather before the mainland.

Watch Matt Baker's British Isles on Tuesdays at 9pm on More4.

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