WHAT DISTILLERY EXPERIENCES DO YOU OFFER?
We currently offer two core distillery experiences in our beautiful 17th Century converted barn in Hampstead Norreys. You’ll meet the distillery team, learn how we create our spirits, and enjoy guided tastings of our award-winning range. Some sessions also give you the chance to craft your own gin under the eye of our distillers.
For the latest options, dates and pricing, please check the Experiences page when booking.
IS THERE A MINIMUM AGE TO ATTEND?
Yes. As a working distillery producing alcoholic spirits, our experiences are for guests who are of legal drinking age. In practice, that means 18+ in the UK. The website also asks visitors to confirm they’re of legal drinking age before entering.
If you’re unsure about bringing someone younger as a non-drinker, please contact us before booking so we can advise.
HOW LONG DO THE EXPERIENCES LAST, AND WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Each experience has its own format, but as a guide you can expect:
- A hosted visit in our 17th Century converted barn
- Time with our distillery team, learning about our craft
- A guided tasting of our award-winning spirits
- For certain experiences, the opportunity to create your own gin recipe
Exact timings and inclusions are shown on the booking page for each experience, so please check the details when you choose your date.
CAN YOU CATER FOR NON-DRINKERS OR DESIGNATED DRIVERS?
Yes, we’re very happy to welcome non-drinkers and designated drivers. They’ll still enjoy the tour, the story behind the distillery and the production process, and we can usually offer alternatives to alcoholic tastings.
Just let us know when you book so the team is aware and can explain the options for that particular experience.
DO YOU SELL GIFT VOUCHERS FOR YOUR EXPERIENCES?
Yes. You can buy experience gift vouchers directly from our website and the recipient can then choose the date and experience that suits them (subject to availability).
Vouchers make a good option if you’re buying for someone else but don’t want to commit to a specific day.
CAN I BOOK A PRIVATE OR CORPORATE GROUP VISIT?
We do host private and corporate experiences, and we also create bespoke spirits for hospitality venues, corporate gifts and events.
If you’re planning a team visit, client event or group celebration, please get in touch with the distillery team with your preferred dates, group size and the type of experience you have in mind.
WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE DURING MY VISIT?
Our experiences are built around the spirits — the story, the production and the tastings. Any current food options or pairings (if offered) will be detailed on the specific experience booking page or in your confirmation email.
If you’re planning to eat before or after your visit, there are good local options nearby, including our accommodation partners and other venues in the area.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION OR RESCHEDULING POLICY FOR EXPERIENCES?
Cancellation and rescheduling terms are shown during the booking process and confirmed in your email from our experience booking partner. These will cover how much notice is needed to move or cancel a booking and any applicable fees.
If your plans change, please refer to your confirmation email first, then contact us as soon as possible so we can see what’s possible.
CAN I BUY SPIRITS ON-SITE AFTER MY EXPERIENCE?
Yes, subject to availability. After your experience, you’ll usually have the opportunity to purchase bottles from the Hawkridge range to take home, including some of our award-winning gins and other spirits.
If there’s something specific you’d like to pick up, you can also check our online shop in advance to see what’s currently in stock.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHARED STILL AND A PRIVATE STILL?
At our Gin School, every group works on a 5L copper alembic still to develop and distil their own London Dry gin recipe. The difference is simply how many people are on that still, and how the final bottle is shared.
- Private still – this is effectively “one still per person”. You have your own still, create your own recipe with our distillers, and take home the full 70cl bottle of your bespoke gin at the end of the session.
- Shared still – this is for two people working together on one still. You’ll co-create one recipe, distil it together, and share the single 70cl bottle you produce between you. It’s a more sociable option and ideal for couples, friends or family members who want to do the experience together rather than separately.
In both cases you get the same tuition, access to the same botanicals, and we keep your recipe on file so you can order more of “your” gin in future – the only real difference is whether you want your own still and bottle, or to share the fun (and the gin) with someone else.
WHAT BOTANICALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME TO USE IN MY GIN?
You’ll have a big choice of botanicals to work with – far more than the usual “juniper, lemon and a bit of mystery”. At the Gin School we use our own ‘Periodic Table of Botanicals’, which groups ingredients by style so you can build a recipe that actually tastes like you.
You’ll always start with juniper (it’s not gin without it), then you can choose from:
- Spices – cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black and pink peppercorns, nutmeg, cumin, fennel, cocoa beans, tonka bean, liquorice root, star anise and more.
- Citrus & bright notes – fresh-style peels and zesty ingredients like lemon, lime, orange, sweet orange, grapefruit, bergamot, pomelo, lemongrass and lemon verbena.
- Fruits & berries – apple, cherry, peach, raspberry, strawberry, bilberry, elderberry, goji berry, sloes, etc.
- Herbal & floral – rosemary, basil, bay leaf, mint, nettle, wormwood, lavender, elderflower, hibiscus, rosehip, rose petals and others.
- A few wildcards – teas, seaweed and hops also make an appearance if you want to get more adventurous.
You’ll be able to smell, handle and discuss the botanicals with the distiller before you choose, and we’ll help you balance your recipe so it works properly in the still – not just on paper.
