REVIEW · SHEFFIELD
Sheffield: Gin Distillery Tasting Visit with Guided Tour
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Locksley Distilling Co. Ltd. · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Gin, industry, and Sheffield stories come together here. In Portland Works, a grade 2 listed building dating to 1879, Locksley Distilling turns small-batch ambition into a guided tasting experience that feels personal.
I like the clear focus on doing things in-house, from the tour around their production space to the way they explain how their liquids are made. I also like the human touch: the guides (Danny, Jake, and Elliot show up by name) keep the evening friendly and seriously informative, without turning it into a lecture.
One drawback to plan around: this is a 1.5-hour visit for adults only (no under-18s), and the group size is limited to 10—so you’ll want to book ahead if you’re traveling on a busy weekend.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Portland Works: the 1879 setting that makes the gin feel local
- The flow of the visit: tour first, tasting with real context
- Locksley’s in-house approach: why it changes how the story lands
- The Locksley G&T and the tasting session: what you actually get
- Sheffield connections you can taste: buildings, industry, and stainless steel
- Price and value: is it worth $24 for a 1.5-hour visit?
- Who this tour suits best (and who should reconsider)
- Practical tips so you don’t waste time at the start
- Should you book? My call
- FAQ
- How long is the gin distillery tasting visit?
- How big is the group?
- What is included in the price?
- Where do I meet the guide?
- What should I bring with me?
- Is this tour suitable for children?
- What languages is the tour offered in?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
Key things to know before you go
- Portland Works (1879) location: you’ll taste gin inside a listed industrial building tied to Sheffield’s manufacturing story.
- Small group of up to 10: you get enough time to ask questions while still keeping the pace lively.
- Production explained, not just poured: you’ll see how their liquids are created with a strong emphasis on keeping work in-house.
- Guided tasting with origins and botanicals: you’ll learn why the core range tastes the way it does, not just what’s in the glass.
- Friendly, passionate guides: Danny, Jake, and Elliot are highlighted for upbeat delivery and real product passion.
- Value that goes beyond the samples: you also get a Locksley G&T as part of the visit, plus a tip that bottles may be discounted after.
Portland Works: the 1879 setting that makes the gin feel local
If you care about place, this visit nails it. Locksley Distilling is based in Portland Works, a grade 2 listed building opened in 1879. That matters because it frames what you’re doing. This isn’t a generic tasting room where gin exists in a vacuum. You’re in a real industrial shell where Sheffield’s metal-and-making identity still hangs in the air.
The tour setup also makes the building feel like part of the story. You start with orientation and history—how the company began and how it developed since 2015—and then you move through the space to see production methods. The effect is simple: you start to understand gin as craft work, not just a drink.
One practical note: because it’s an industrial site, I’d plan for “comfortable but practical.” Comfortable shoes help, and warm clothing makes a difference if parts of the building feel a bit cooler.
The flow of the visit: tour first, tasting with real context
This experience is built around a straightforward rhythm: you get shown the distillery, then you taste with guidance. The visit runs about 1.5 hours, and the small-group limit of 10 participants keeps things from feeling rushed.
You’ll begin with a warm welcome that’s very Yorkshire in tone—friendly, easy, and not overly formal. Then the guide leads you through an “at home in the building” walk-through: where different parts of production happen and how they connect to the final products you’ll sample.
The key thing here is that the tasting isn’t treated like a single moment. It’s taught. During the tasting session, you learn the origin story and botanical choices behind their core range. That turns tasting into something you can follow even if you’re new to gin.
If you’re the type who likes to ask questions, this format gives you permission to do it. With only up to 10 people, the guide can keep conversations going instead of sticking to a script.
Locksley’s in-house approach: why it changes how the story lands
Locksley Distilling emphasizes producing with a “keep it in-house” mindset. During the tour, you’ll hear how their team creates and develops their range, and that includes an explanation of their continued commitment to managing as much as possible internally.
Why I think that’s valuable for you: small distilleries don’t just sell flavor; they sell process. When a company is proud of controlling the work, you get fewer handoffs and fewer “mystery steps.” Even without getting technical enough to satisfy a chemistry degree, you still leave with a sense of intention: what they choose, why they choose it, and how the team keeps refining.
It also fits the “small yet serious” identity they’re aiming for. They’ll never try to out-size major commercial brands, but the vibe is very much about quality-focused craft.
The Locksley G&T and the tasting session: what you actually get
Part of the experience includes a Locksley G&T called sunshine in a glass. That’s not just a free drink thrown into the schedule—it’s a starting point. You taste something right away, and then the guided tour and tasting session give you the background that makes those flavors easier to understand.
Then comes the guided tasting session. You’ll go through multiple gins, learning the botanical choice behind the core products and how the origin stories connect to what’s in the glass. The guides highlighted in recent accounts—Danny, Jake, and Elliot—are repeatedly described as friendly, passionate, and able to explain things in a way that doesn’t feel stiff.
If you’re a complete gin beginner, you’ll still enjoy it because the tone is designed to meet you where you are. If you already work behind a bar, you’ll likely get extra satisfaction from how the explanation connects to ingredients and the “why” behind choices. One standout point: even people with industry knowledge still come away learning more about Sheffield and the distillery’s approach.
Sheffield connections you can taste: buildings, industry, and stainless steel
One of the more interesting parts of the experience is the way it connects gin to Sheffield’s broader story. The distillery sits in a Grade 2 listed building opened in 1879, and the tour history threads the company’s own creation and development into the wider industrial identity of the city.
There’s also a specific Sheffield fact that tends to land well: you’ll hear about where stainless steel was invented—and yes, the guide makes sure it’s the right context, not the casual assumption people often make.
Why this matters: it’s easy to forget that drinks culture is local. Sheffield helped shape modern manufacturing, and this distillery uses that same pride-in-craft energy. If you like travel that feels rooted—where the story has a postcode—this is a strong fit.
Price and value: is it worth $24 for a 1.5-hour visit?
At $24 per person, this isn’t priced like a gimmick. You’re paying for three things bundled together:
- A structured guided tour of the distillery space
- A guided expert tasting with explanations of botanical choices and product origins
- A included Locksley G&T (sunshine in a glass)
The group size is capped at 10, which usually helps keep the experience personal rather than conveyor-belt. Guides also seem to bring a lot of enthusiasm to the delivery, and that’s part of the value too. If you’ve ever had a tasting where you only get half the story, you’ll appreciate how they aim to keep the facts and fun balanced.
There’s also a practical money-saver angle. One account notes a £5 off deal on bottles of gin. That detail matters if you think you’ll want to buy something at the end. Even without that, you’re not just paying for drinks—you’re paying for a guided understanding of how the brand thinks.
My advice: if you’re staying in Sheffield for at least a night or two, this is a high-value way to spend an evening that’s both social and educational.
Who this tour suits best (and who should reconsider)
This visit fits best if you want a small-group evening and you like your tasting with context.
You’ll likely enjoy it if:
- You’re in Sheffield and want a local* activity that isn’t just a bar stop
- You like learning the ingredient story behind drinks
- You enjoy tours where the guide can answer questions without shouting over a crowd
You might reconsider if:
- You only have time for something longer or more hands-on
- You’re traveling with kids, because it’s not suitable for anyone under 18
- You expect a long, slow tasting crawl (this runs about 1.5 hours)
The pace works for most people because the tour is structured: walk-through first, then tasting, then the chance to connect the two.
Practical tips so you don’t waste time at the start
Meeting point details matter for this one. You’ll meet by waiting outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street, and your guide comes down to let you in. It’s one of those “easy once you’re there” situations, but it can be confusing if you’re relying on signage.
Plan for:
- Comfortable shoes (distillery spaces can involve standing and walking)
- Warm clothing (industrial buildings can feel cooler than you expect)
- An ID or passport (you’ll need it)
If you’re prone to arriving late, try not to. The visit is short enough that you’ll feel it if you miss the start.
Should you book? My call
Book it if you want a Sheffield evening that combines a serious gin tasting with a tour that explains process and ingredients. The standout strengths are the small-group size, the enthusiasm of the guides (Danny, Jake, Elliot, and more), and the way the tasting connects product choices to a real local setting in Portland Works.
Skip or shop around if you’re looking for a kid-friendly outing or a long, hour-after-hour tasting event. This is designed as an efficient, focused 1.5-hour experience.
If you like learning the story behind what you drink, you’ll probably leave wanting to buy a bottle and talk about botanicals like you actually know what you’re doing.
FAQ
How long is the gin distillery tasting visit?
The visit lasts about 1.5 hours.
How big is the group?
It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.
What is included in the price?
You get a Locksley G&T called sunshine in a glass, an intimate guided tour, and an expert guided tasting session where you learn about product origins and botanical choices.
Where do I meet the guide?
Wait outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street, and your guide will come down to let you in.
What should I bring with me?
Bring a passport or ID card, wear comfortable shoes, and consider warm clothing.
Is this tour suitable for children?
No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.
What languages is the tour offered in?
The live tour guide speaks English.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
