Discover the Spirit of the Cotswolds: A Visit to Cotswolds Distillery

Nestled in the rolling green hills of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds Distillery Visitor Centre is a must visit destination for lovers of fine spirits, sweeping countryside views and craft culture. Founded in 2014, this unique distillery has become one of England’s premier producers of exceptional whisky, gin and liqueurs, and a standout attraction for anyone exploring the heart of rural Britain.

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Location & How to Visit

The distillery sits on a picturesque five-acre site close to the village of Stourton, near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire. It’s just a short drive from charming Cotswolds towns, making it easy to include on a wider itinerary of quaint villages, country walks and historic sites.

You can also explore the distillery’s products in person at two delightful shops;
• Cotswolds Distillery Shop in Bourton‑on‑the‑Water
• Cotswolds Distillery Shop in Broadway, perfect stops during a Cotswolds day trip.

Whether you’re driving through the scenic countryside or joining a dedicated tour, the distillery makes a memorable stop on any UK travel adventure.

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What Makes Cotswolds Distillery Special

At the heart of the Cotswolds Distillery’s ethos is tradition, but with a distinctly local twist:

• Award-Winning Spirits: From the flagship Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky to a range of gins and liqueurs, there’s something for every palate.
  
  
• Crafted with Local Ingredients: The whisky is made using 100% locally grown barley, and spent grains are returned to local farms as feed, a true farm-to-bottle approach.
  
  
• Beautiful Visitor Centre: Open year-round, the distillery’s visitor centre features tasting rooms, a café with locally sourced food, and panoramic views into the production process.
  
  

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Experiences You Can’t Miss

Want more than just a quick peek?

Cotswolds Distillery offers immersive experiences that take you behind the scenes:

• Tour & Tasting: A 90-minute guided journey through the distillery, complete with samples.
  
  
• Masterclasses: From whisky blending to gin cocktail creation, there are experiences to suit both beginners and serious spirits fans.
  
  
• Café & Shop: Sip a locally roasted coffee or enjoy a meal while watching distillers at work.
  
  

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Did You Know?

Cotswolds Distillery was the first full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds region, setting a standard for English whisky production in a landscape better known for rolling hills than still houses.

The distillery recycles its by-products in environmentally friendly ways: spent grains feed livestock, and onsite solar energy helps power production.

In an interesting twist of royal connection, the distillery has been used to produce limited editions of barrel aged whisky for the Highgrove Estate, showcasing barley from the King’s own lands.

It’s also been recognised as one of the most popular whisky distilleries in the UK & Ireland based on tourism metrics, drawing visitors from around the world.

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For all the latest on what’s happening in the Cotswolds, check out What’sOn?XL in CotswoldXL Magazine.

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