Lyme Bay Traditional Mead Review & Where to Buy

Bottle of Lyme Bay Traditional Mead

Lyme Bay Winery in Devon produces mead alongside English wine, fruit wine and liqueurs. Its Traditional Mead is a sweet, full-flavoured honey wine and a good introduction to the richer style of English mead.

Our verdict: this is an approachable choice for someone who expects mead to taste distinctly of honey. It offers plenty of sweetness and body, but toasted and lightly burnt-caramel notes stop the finish from feeling one-dimensional. The current bottling is 11% ABV and comes in a 75cl bottle.

Lyme Bay Traditional Mead received a one-star Great Taste award in 2013.

Colour

This is a relatively dark golden mead. Its colour and body suggest honeycomb and caramel before the first sip. It is similar in broad style to Moniack Mead, although Lyme Bay Traditional Mead is fruitier and lower in alcohol.

Nose

The aroma is immediately sweet, with rich honey and a slightly fruity character. Compared with Moniack Mead, it is less floral and more obviously honey-led.

Taste

Rich honey is the main flavour, followed by honeycomb and toasted caramel. The finish has a slightly burnt edge that balances the sweetness and adds depth.

How to serve it

Serve lightly chilled or at cool room temperature in a small wine glass. It pairs well with strong cheese, full-flavoured casseroles and simple desserts that are not sweeter than the mead itself.

Where to buy Lyme Bay Traditional Mead

Availability checked: October 2026.

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The winery also sells a smaller 375ml bottle, which may suit first-time buyers. Prices and stock can change, so compare bottle sizes and delivery charges before ordering.