gin distillery tour wiltshire

Refills can be purchased at Downton Brewery, Dark Revolution Brewery (Old Sarum Airfield), Healthy Living (Devizes) & Regent Tailoring in Salisbury.

Christmas Shipping Dates shown on 'Contact Us' page.

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Popular collections

Celebrating Wiltshire's Heritage

CHRISTMAS & ORDERS

Find us at the Winchester Christmas Market, Stand 73 opposite the Chestnut Seller.

Last online orders will be posted on 21st December (tracked 24hrs).

'ONE OF THE BEST RELEASES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.' - IWSC HEAD JUDGE OLIVIER WARD

GREAT BUSTARD GIN

As seen on channel 4 sunday brunch.

The iconic bird of Wiltshire became extinct in this country in 1832. In 1998 the they were reintroduced onto Salisbury Plain. We have created a gin that uses 4 botanicals found in their diet and part of the proceeds will go to the Great Bustard Conservation Group.

CONSERVATION

Rewilding juniper.

Over 80% of Juniper's natural habitat has been lost on the Downs. You too can help rewild this plant by donating a % at checkout. Thank you to those who have helped support us.

ADVENTURE BEGINS WITH A LITTLE SPIRIT

EXPLORER'S GIN

The nautical spirit of adventure lies at the heart of Downton's ancestors. At Downton Distillery we embody this adventurous spirit.

Your Monthly Guide to Hidden Adventures

Step off the beaten path with Dispatches , the newsletter designed for explorers who crave the thrill of discovering hidden gems. Each month, we curate exciting new adventures and undiscovered places far from the usual tourist crowds. But that’s not all! Every issue of Dispatches includes exclusive discount codes ranging from 8% to 14% off, making your next adventure not only unforgettable but affordable, too.

In case you missed us on Sunday Brunch, Olivier Ward reviews three great gins all winners at the 2024 IWSC . The cocktail shown is on our cocktail page - The English Garden.

DISTILLED ON THE WILTSHIRE DOWNS

Inspiration.

Sir Walter Raleigh, is the inspiration behind Explorer’s Gin. In 1583 he was bequeathed Parsonage Manor, in Downton as his star began to ascend. On 25th March, 1584 the Queen gave him a Royal Warrant to explore the New World. He is famed for bringing back both potatoes, tobacco, and cedar which we use in our gin. In 1978 my Grandfather helped support & create Operation Drake which then became Operation Raleigh.

Rather than just creating a bottle of gin, we wanted to embody a lifestyle that goes with it. We love the idea of pushing boundaries in whatever field you operate in. It is about travelling, embracing culture and challenging yourself. Being open and curious about the world around us is very important. It translates into many aspects of our lives, helping us learn. Modern time explorers, that’s what we are.

Consumers more than ever want to know who and what they are supporting as a brand. From non-alcoholic spirits to vegan alcohol to organic gin and vodka, many spirits brands are branching out to accommodate this ethical and sustainable consumer demand. In 2023 we became the first spirits company to receive the Good Shopping Guide ethical kite mark. Learn more about our Eco work.

WORKMANSHIP

Our spirits are crafted, distilled & bottled up on the Wiltshire Downs, in an area of outstanding beauty. We are authentic, use local where possible, attentive, proud & care deeply about the quality of our work. Each batch will macerate for up to 48hrs allowing our flavours to blend prior to distillation. We use the one shot method, signing and numbering all the Explorer's Bottles.

SAVE UP TO 35 %

gin subscription

CHOOSE YOUR STYLE OF REFILL AND HAVE OUR ARTISAN GIN DELIVERED TO YOUR FRONT DOOR, INCLUDES FREE DELIVERY.

EXPERT TESTIMONIALS

OLIVIER WARD - CHANNEL 4 GIN EXPERT / IWSC JUDGE

“It’s rare when we see a start-up with massive potential right off the bat. Downton Distillery and their Explorer’s Gin, has just that and more. They are proving that what’s needed in today’s saturated category is about so much more than being a local gin, a craft distiller, a small batch production or even – having great gin."

THE GIN GUIDE 2023 / SUSTAINABILITY WINNER

"The winning producers are those which have most successfully shown ongoing commitment to achieving their environmental sustainability objectives across multiple initiatives, with innovative solutions, proven impact and an embedded and measured culture of sustainability. It is at the heart of what they do, inspiring others."

PAUL JACKSON - GIN GUIDE / GIN GUIDE HEAD JUDGE

"Explorer's Gin harmoniously brings together classic gin characteristics with a contemporary twist. It's a gin with complexity and depth and that is engaging through having clearly identifiable characteristics and stages along the flavour journey. Juniper and citrus peel notes are elevated with verbena for a characterful G&T."

Louise Luton - International Artist

"I love painting hares. There are few in various parts of Wiltshire near my home. None in the fields around me. I was over at Downton Distillery at the weekend, Hugh showed me around the vineyards and the surrounding farmland. The wildlife is incredible, hares are also frequent visitors! The tour was fantastic and so worth visiting, such passion."

HISTORICAL WILTSHIRE

ROMAN WILTSHIRE

The lost city of Verlucio.

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

Insomniac MARTINI

• 40ml Hazelnut Vodka
• 20ml Coffee liqueur (find a brand you like)
• 20ml Espresso Coffee (fresh)
• 20ml Single cream

"It's not just a gin, it's the idea of place, people and an attitude all captured in a bottle."

Olivier Ward

COCKTAIL EVENINGS

Our cocktail making package is perfect for birthdays, hen parties & corporates.

WE OFFER BOTH SHORT & LONG TOURS.

SUSTAINABILITY

WHAT ARE WE DOING AND HOW ARE WE DOING IT?

Did you know each bottle takes 2.1Kgs of CO2 to make? Our refill packs take 0.4g to make, which we can re-use, when you send them back to us.

REFILL POINTS

We feel our bottle is too beautiful to throw away and want you to reuse it. That is why we offer refill pouches and refill points.

Every reused bottle not only helps to save the planet but also saves you money. We are continually looking at how we improve our carbon footprint through environmental and sustainability initiatives.

You can refill refill your bottle at  Downton Brewery ,  Regent Tailoring ,  Dark Revolution , Kingsgate Wines & Provisions &  Healthy Life .

previous FEATURES

Welcome to the archive of our past newsletters and adventure series articles. Feel free to browse through our past issues you may have missed or to revisit some of our favorite articles and features. If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, please don't hesitate to reach out.

PERFECT MARTINI

“I have taken more out of alcohol than it has taken out of me.” Winston Churchill on Martini

TORRES DEL PAINE

Where heaven meets earth, the world's most spectacular national park.

Everything you need to know.

ECO PROGRAMME

It is not a race, but a voyage in doing the right things.

Supporting Wiltshire's Great Bustard.

MEET LUCY SHEPARD

Make a lifetime of adventure.

THE CLIPPER SERIES

Meet Sandra Shepard and the World Clipper Series.

The Land of Fire & Ice

Black volcanic rock contrasts glittering glaciers.

ELDERFLOWER INFUSIONS

How to make home made Elderflower infusions.

THE ANTARCTIC FIRE ANGELS

Two incredible ladies who overcame the odds.

HISTORY OF VERMOUTH

"I would like to observe the vermouth from across the room while I drink my martini." Winston Churchill on Vermouth

The plant is slow growing and can live for up to 700 years and is either male or female. The berry is actually a cone that takes 18 months to ripen. Juniper Communis is what is used for making gin.

DISTILLERY GALLERY

Availability.