Sheffield: Gin Distillery Tasting Visit with Guided Tour

Sheffield’s Locksley Distilling Co. pairs gin with one of the city’s most unusual industrial settings: Portland Works, a Grade 2 listed building opened in 1879 and closely tied to the development of stainless steel. Inside, you get a look at a working small-batch distillery, then taste through the products with a guide who knows both the liquid and the local story.

The tasting begins with a Locksley G&T, described by the distillery as sunshine in a glass*. It gives you an easy starting point before the more detailed sampling begins.

After that, the guide takes you through the core range and explains the botanical choices and origin story behind the products. The useful part is the connection between ingredient and flavor. Instead of simply being told that one gin is floral or another is citrus-led, you get some context for why those characteristics appear.

The range is described as ever growing, and the tasting can include several products and special brews. That variety is one of the better reasons to book the guided format rather than simply buy a bottle. You can compare different styles while someone from the distillery explains what you are drinking.

Taste responsibly and remember that samples add up. This is a guided session, not an unlimited bar. The emphasis is on understanding the products and finding what suits your palate.

You may also have the chance to buy a bottle after the visit. One useful detail from the experience is a £5 discount on bottles, although the supplied information does not specify whether every product or every booking receives the discount. If you already enjoy gin, that can improve the value. If you are flying home or traveling light, the online store is another practical option mentioned by past participants.

What makes the guides important

A small distillery tour depends heavily on the person leading it. The equipment alone will not carry 90 minutes. You need someone who can explain technical points without making the room feel like a classroom.

That seems to be one of Locksley’s strongest features. Jake has led sessions with a personable style and a clear passion for the products. Danny has been praised for being friendly and able to connect the gin story with Sheffield’s past. Elliot has brought a relaxed balance of facts and fun.

You should not expect the same guide every time, so book this as a distillery experience rather than a guaranteed Jake, Danny, or Elliot encounter. Still, the names give you a useful picture of the tone. The guides are part of the appeal, especially if you enjoy asking questions.

The small group also helps. Ten people is enough for a social atmosphere but small enough for an intimate tour. If you are attending with a friend or family member, you can share the tasting without being lost in a crowd. Solo visitors should find it easier to join the conversation than on a large commercial tour.

Why the Portland Works setting adds value

Sheffield’s connection with metalworking gives this visit a local angle that many gin tastings lack. Portland Works opened in 1879 and is associated with stainless steel, so the building tells an important part of the city’s industrial story before the distillery even begins its own explanation.

That does not mean the tour is a full Sheffield industrial-history walk. The main subject remains Locksley’s gin and production. But the setting helps you understand the city as more than a backdrop. You see a modern drinks business working within an older building whose past is tied to Sheffield’s practical, inventive character.

I like this kind of connection because it gives you something to remember after the tasting. You may forget the order of the botanicals, but the pairing of stainless steel history and small-batch gin is distinctive.

The tradeoff is that a historic working building may not provide the ease of a purpose-built visitor center. Follow the clothing advice, wear sensible shoes, and be ready for a more functional setting rather than a glossy showroom.

Is $24 a fair price?

At $24 per person, this is a solid-value experience if you want more than a drink. You receive a 90-minute guided visit, an opening G&T, a tour of the distillery, an explanation of the company’s story and methods, and a tasting across the range.

The price works especially well for anyone who would otherwise spend money on several separate drinks. You are paying for access, instruction, samples, and the guide’s time. The small group limit also gives the visit a more personal feel than a high-volume tasting event.

Value depends on what you want. If you only want a gin and tonic, a bar will be cheaper and more flexible. If you enjoy spirits, local history, or seeing how a small producer works, the extra cost is justified.

The possible bottle discount can make the visit more attractive, but you should treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. Buy only what you genuinely like. The tasting is useful precisely because it lets you make that choice with more information.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy craft drinks and want a local story attached to the tasting. It suits couples, small groups of friends, solo visitors who like asking questions, and anyone looking for an evening activity in Sheffield that is more focused than a standard pub stop.

It is also a good fit for people who know little about gin. The explanations are aimed at a general audience, so you do not need a professional background. At the same time, a bartender or serious spirits fan may find enough detail to stay interested, especially when asking about botanical choices and production.

This is not suitable for children under 18. It is also not the right pick if you dislike alcohol tastings, have limited time before another fixed booking, or prefer a large attraction with a clearly marked entrance and a polished visitor setup.

The relaxed tone is part of the appeal. You can learn, taste, and enjoy the building without needing to dress up or know the vocabulary in advance.

Booking details worth knowing

The experience runs for 1.5 hours, with starting times available according to the date you choose. It is led in English and limited to 10 people.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Sheffield plans are still shifting.

Arrive at the Randall Street gate and wait outside for the guide. Bring photo identification, comfortable shoes, and warm clothing. These details are easy to overlook, but they will make the start of the tour smoother.

Should you book the Locksley tasting?

Book this tour if you want a compact, good-value introduction to Sheffield’s craft-gin scene with a genuine sense of place. The Portland Works setting, small group, and guided tasting give it more character than a simple sample flight.

I would skip it only if you are looking for a child-friendly activity, a long meal, or a highly polished visitor attraction. For adults who like gin and want to understand what they are drinking, $24 buys a friendly 90 minutes with local history, production insight, and enough samples to make the visit worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Locksley Distilling Co. tour last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours, including the guided distillery visit and tasting.

Where is the meeting point?

Wait outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street. Your guide will come down to let you in.

What is included in the experience?

You receive a Locksley G&T, an intimate guided tour, an explanation of the distillery’s history and production methods, and a guided tasting of the core range and other products.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or identity card, comfortable shoes, and warm clothing.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide conducts the tour in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.