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The Lakes Distillery

Overlooked by the impending heights of Skiddaw, whilst nestled amongst the majestic woodland of Setmurthy, near Bassenthwaite Lake- the award-winning Lakes Distillery, is a must-see attraction, that should be riding high at the top of any whisky and spirit lovers Lake District bucket list.

Housed in a superbly renovated Victorian farmhouse & cattle parlour, The Lakes Distillery will transport you on a journey back in time. Here, you will experience the sights, smells and sounds of your favourite spirits, evolving from cask to glass, before getting the chance to sample their unique tastes and characteristics yourself.

Discover how your favourite spirits evolve from cask to glass

The highly celebrated sensory tour will begin with a vivid exploration, which follows the journey of the gin, vodka and whiskeys water base, from its source of the River Derwent, to the heart of what is now England’s largest whiskey distillery. Accompanied by expert tour guides, you will then discover the atmospheric surroundings of the distillery’s stillroom and cask warehouse, before taking a trip to the exclusive tasting room.

Feeling peckish? Upon sampling a variety of gin, vodka and whiskey delights, why not head over to the elegant distillery bistro to indulge in their exquisite all day menu? Featuring classic Cumbrian delights, decadent cakes, afternoon tea and even an extensive cocktail menu, with the option to dine al fresco if you wish- you won’t be short of tasty choices.

Perfect for a relaxing afternoon outing, following a morning exploring the nearby fells and Bassenthwaite Lake- before heading back to your Lake District lodge, be sure to let the kids pop in and say hello to the distillery’s resident family of friendly alpacas. Take them for walks, feed them treats and if you’re lucky, meet their fluffy babies.

Tips/hints: Pssst… Did you know that with every tour and tasting session, each guest is entitled to receive a £5 discount off any 70cl purchase in the on-site gift shop?! You heard it! We suggest you retreat back to your lodge, crack open your refreshing souvenirs and then take a peek at the extensive list of cocktail recipes on The Lakes Distillery blog. Evening in sorted!

Why we love it: Setting aside the fact that their gin infused chocolates are second to none, did you know that The Lakes Distillery refer to themselves as a green distillery? This means that their distilling process produces zero waste and everything they use is natural, thus helping to reduce their carbon footprint and preserve our beloved Lake District- what’s not to love?