Gin Distillery Tours You Can’t Miss in the UK
From Yorkshire springs to seaside stills, the UK is home to world-class gin producers offering immersive tours and tastings. We’ve visited each venue, met the makers and sampled every pour—so you can plan the ultimate gin road trip. For more guides, head to our homepage.
How We Chose These Tours
- Hands-On Experience: Each distillery offers a full walk-through of the still room and botanical store.
- Guided Tastings: Expert-led sampling sessions with pairing notes.
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: Opportunity to try cutting-edge recipes or rare cask-aged releases.
- Visitor Amenities: On-site bars, gift shops and local food partnerships.
England
Ilkley Distillery (Ilkley, Yorkshire)
Highlight: Pure Dales spring water and foraged buckthorn.
Tour: 60-minute distillery walk, tasting of Wharfedale Gold, plus a botanical blending session.
Book: Slots fill fast—reserve via our booking page or contact the distillery directly.
Sipsmith Distillery (Chiswick, London)
Highlight: Pioneers of the modern London-dry revival.
Tour: Behind-the-copper-pot still tour, Negroni masterclass and cocktail pairing.
Visit Tip: Combine with a stroll along the Thames and dinner in the neighbourhood—see our places to eat guide for inspiration.
Cotswolds Distillery (Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire)
Highlight: Single-estate barley mash and rainwater cooling.
Tour: Grain-to-glass walk, tasting of their award-winning Dry Gin, plus distiller-led Q&A.
Plan Your Trip: Check local bus routes or drive through the scenic Cotswolds.
Scotland
Edinburgh Gin Distillery (Leith, Edinburgh)
Highlight: Historic port-side warehouses converted into a modern gin lab.
Tour: Botanical bar demo, tasting flight of Original, Cannonball and Seaside gins.
Insider Tip: Book a twilight tour to see the still room under fairy lights—ideal for photography.
Wales
Aber Falls Distillery (Abergwyngregyn, Gwynedd)
Highlight: Welsh spring water and foraged elderflowers.
Tour: Full distillation walkthrough, plus tasting of award-winning Welsh Dry Gin.
Nearby Attractions: Combine with a hike in Snowdonia—see our nearby attractions page.
Northern Ireland
Shortcross Distillery (Crossgar, County Down)
Highlight: First gin distillery in Northern Ireland, using local barley spirit.
Tour: Craft gin session, tasting of classic gin and seasonal limited editions.
Getting There: Crossgar is a 25-minute drive from Belfast—taxis details on Ilkley taxis are similar for Belfast.
Plan Your UK Gin Trail
- Cluster by Region
- Yorkshire & Cotswolds: Ilkley, Cotswolds Distillery
- London: Sipsmith
- Scotland: Edinburgh Gin
- Wales: Aber Falls
- Northern Ireland: Shortcross
- Timing & Transport
- Opening Hours: Confirm each venue on their website or our opening hours.
- Travel: Mix driving with scenic train routes (e.g., London → Edinburgh).
- Book in Advance
Distilleries cap group sizes—secure your spot via booking at least two weeks ahead.
Ready to Go Further?
For bespoke itineraries, private group tours or corporate events, simply contact us and we’ll tailor every detail. Cheers to discovering the UK’s finest gin distilleries!
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Weekend Guide: Gin-Themed Day Trips from Ilkley
Turn a simple weekend into a botanical adventure with gin-themed excursions radiating out from Ilkley. From distillery tours to cocktail bar crawls, here’s how to plan five memorable day trips—complete with transport tips, lunch stops and tasting-room recommendations. For more inspiration, visit our homepage.
1. Ilkley Distillery & The Gin Lounge Ilkley
- Morning: Start at Ilkley Distillery for a 60-minute tour and tasting of Wharfedale Gold. Book your slot via our booking page.
- Lunch: Stroll into town and grab a light bite—see places to eat in Ilkley for recommendations.
- Afternoon: Head back to The Gin Lounge Ilkley for our signature G&T flight, then browse our boutique spirit shop.
Getting There:
- Walk from Ilkley train station (5 mins) or use local bus routes.
- Need a cab? Check Ilkley taxis.
2. Countryside & BöE Gin (Skipton)
- Morning: Catch the 10:15 train from Ilkley to Skipton (via Ilkley → Leeds → Skipton), then a short taxi to BöE Gin.
- Experience: Join a small-group tasting of their Seabuckthorn expression and learn about farm-grown botanicals.
- Lunch: Enjoy riverside dining in Skipton—explore nearby attractions for spots.
Transport:
- Trains run hourly via Ilkley Station; consult the train station FAQ for schedules.
- Book taxi through local firms listed under Ilkley taxis.
3. Heritage & York Distillery Co (York)
- Early Start: Drive or take the 08:30 train from Ilkley to Leeds, then onward to York.
- Morning Tour: Explore York Distillery Co’s heritage still room and sample Coppergate Gin.
- Lunch: Wander The Shambles’ lanes—see things to do in Ilkley for similar historic charm ideas.
- Late Afternoon: Stop by Spirit of Yorkshire (Bank, London) if you’re en route home for one last regional serve.
Plan Ahead:
- Check Ilkley bus routes to Leeds station.
- Verify weather via weather in Ilkley before driving.
4. Spa & Sips: Harrogate & Black Shire Distillery
- Morning Spa: Begin with a spa treatment in Harrogate—book treatments at local wellness centres.
- Lunch: Light lunch at an afternoon tea café (Harrogate guide under places to eat applies similarly).
- Afternoon Gin: Visit Black Shire Distillery for their White Rose tasting and garden bar.
Travel:
- Drive via A65 in 30 mins, or catch the Harrogate bus from Ilkley.
- Check bus routes for service times.
5. Urban Cocktail Crawl: Leeds & Two Birds Distillery
- Morning Coffee: Grab coffee in central Leeds; explore local cafes via our Ilkley places to eat guide for nearby inspiration.
- Late Morning: Head to Two Birds Distillery on the city outskirts for a tour and tasting of Barking Bird gin.
- Afternoon: Return to town for a cocktail crawl—stop by Liquor & Co and The Botanist for seasonal gin serves.
Logistics:
- Trains from Ilkley to Leeds run every 30 mins; Ilkley train station has full schedules.
- Taxis recommended for hopping between city venues—see Ilkley taxis.
Tips for a Smooth Weekend
- Book Early: Distillery tours and tasting rooms cap group sizes—secure your spot on our booking page.
- Check Opening Hours: Verify each venue’s times via our opening hours guide.
- Dress for the Weather: Ilkley’s April showers are real—check weather in Ilkley before you pack.
- Stay Local: Extend your stay at one of our partner B&Bs—details under nearby attractions.
Ready to craft your own gin weekend getaway? For a bespoke itinerary or group bookings, just contact us. Here’s to a spirited weekend—cheers!