Sheffield: Gin Distillery Tasting Visit with Guided Tour

Sheffield’s gin story begins in an unlikely place: Portland Works, a Grade II listed building opened in 1879 and closely tied to the city’s stainless-steel industry. Inside, Locksley Distilling Co. makes its drinks in a small, hands-on operation, then walks you through the process before pouring its range.

I like two things right away. First, the group is limited to 10, so the visit feels personal rather than factory-sized. Second, the tasting is tied to the story behind each botanical and bottle, with guides such as Jake, Danny, and Elliot bringing plenty of warmth and practical detail.

The main drawback is finding the entrance. You must wait outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street, and there may be no obvious sign outside. Comfortable shoes and warm clothing also matter, since this is a working historic building rather than a polished cocktail lounge.

Key points at a glance

• Portland Works setting: Explore a 19th-century Sheffield building linked with the development of stainless steel.
• Small-batch production: See how Locksley keeps production in-house rather than relying on a large commercial plant.
• Guided tasting: Try the core range while learning about the botanicals and the thinking behind each drink.
• A full 90 minutes: The visit combines the distillery tour, company story, and tasting without feeling rushed.
• Adults only: This is strictly for visitors aged 18 and over.
• Good group size: With no more than 10 people, you can ask questions and hear the guide clearly.

Portland Works, where Sheffield’s gin story begins

The building is more than a backdrop for the tasting. Portland Works opened in 1879 and is a Grade II listed site in the heart of Sheffield. It is also associated with the city’s stainless-steel heritage, giving the visit a useful sense of place before the first gin is poured.

I like this combination. You are not simply entering a room with copper equipment and hearing a standard explanation of juniper. You are visiting a distillery in an old industrial setting that helps explain why Sheffield has such a strong tradition of skilled making.

The historic surroundings also make the tour feel rooted in the city. Locksley began distilling in 2015, and its story is presented alongside the building’s older industrial past. That link between old methods of making and newer small-batch drinks gives the experience more substance than a tasting held in a generic bar.

Do not expect a grand visitor centre. The information describes a small distillery with a dedicated team, and that is part of the appeal. You get a closer look at a working company that is still growing its range and trying to keep each part of production under its own roof.

Finding the Randall Street entrance

The meeting point is outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street. Your guide comes down to let you in, so do not assume you can simply walk through an open public entrance.

This is the one practical wrinkle worth taking seriously. The entrance may be hard to spot, and nothing obvious may be displayed outside because of insurance rules. Give yourself a few extra minutes, check the corner carefully, and have the booking details or contact information ready if you are unsure.

One visitor had trouble finding the place and needed a couple of phone calls before being met outside. That is not a major flaw, but it is useful advice. The building’s historic character comes with a slightly less polished arrival than you might get at a purpose-built attraction.

Wear comfortable shoes. You should also bring warm clothing, since an old industrial building may feel cool during the visit. A passport or identity card is required, and the activity is for adults aged 18 and over only.

The first pour, a Locksley G&T

The visit includes a Locksley gin and tonic, described by the distillery as sunshine in a glass. It gives you an easy starting point before the more detailed tasting begins.

I find a welcome drink useful on a distillery tour. It gives you something familiar to taste while the guide sets the scene, and it lets you approach the later samples with a better sense of the company’s house style.

The drink is not the whole point of the visit. You are not paying for a single cocktail in a bar. The value comes from the combination of that first G&T, the guided explanation, and the samples that follow. Still, the opening serve helps the experience feel social rather than like a technical lesson.

The distillery’s tone also seems suited to people who enjoy good drinks but do not already know the language of gin. The explanations are intended for ordinary drinkers as well as people who work with spirits. One bartender found there was far more to learn than expected, while another visitor appreciated that the presentation was aimed at the general public rather than specialists.

Seeing how Locksley makes its range

The main tour explains how Locksley creates its products and why the company keeps production in-house. That phrase matters. It suggests you are hearing about the decisions made by a small producer at each stage, rather than receiving a broad talk about gin with little connection to the bottles in front of you.

You should expect an intimate account of the equipment, production methods, and development of the range. The exact route through the distillery can vary, but the focus is on showing you the home of the business and explaining how its liquids are made.

Locksley has been distilling since the start of 2015. After 10 years of work, the tour can draw on more than a new company’s first experiments. At the same time, the operation remains small, which gives the guide room to talk about the company’s aims and the choices behind its products.

That balance is one of the strongest reasons to book. Large distilleries can offer impressive machinery, but a small producer can often explain its decisions more directly. You get a better feel for the people behind the labels and the effort involved in building an ever-growing range.

Do not expect every production detail to be presented as a formal technical class. The tone is friendly and accessible. You can ask questions, but the tour is designed to entertain as well as inform.

Botanicals, origins, and the tasting session

After the production visit, the tasting takes you through the core range. The guide explains the origin story of each product and the botanical choices that shape its character.

This is where the experience becomes useful for anyone who wants to understand gin rather than simply drink it. You can compare several products with the producer’s own explanation in mind. Instead of asking only if you like a particular bottle, you can consider what makes it different and how the botanicals affect the final taste.

The samples include various gins and special brews, with the range described as ever growing. The exact selection can change, but you should have several liquids to try rather than one token sample.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Jake has been especially strong at explaining gin and related drinks in an enthusiastic, easy-going way. Danny has led visitors through the tour with a friendly manner and plenty of detail. Elliot has also been praised for balancing facts and fun.

That variety means your experience may depend partly on who leads the session, but the consistent theme is clear: the guide is expected to know the products well and make the information approachable. You do not need to be a gin expert to keep up.

Take your time with the tasting. You are not required to treat it like a speed test. Listen for the link between the botanical choices and what you taste, then ask which products suit different preferences if you are considering a bottle to take home.

Why Sheffield’s industrial past adds value

The Portland Works setting gives the tour a local angle that many distillery visits lack. You learn about Locksley, but you also get a connection to Sheffield’s manufacturing past and the site associated with stainless steel.

That context is especially worthwhile if you are already exploring Sheffield. The distillery is not presented as an isolated business that could be anywhere in Britain. Its location helps explain the pride in making, materials, and practical skill that runs through the company’s story.

The building’s age may also mean a less uniform experience underfoot and indoors. That is not a reason to avoid the tour, but it reinforces the need for sensible shoes and warm layers. If you prefer highly polished visitor facilities, you may find the setting a little rough around the edges.

I prefer that trade-off. A working small distillery in an old industrial building feels more genuine than a carefully staged attraction. Just arrive prepared for the surroundings rather than expecting a warm, modern tasting room.

Is $24 good value for 90 minutes?

At $24 per person, this is a fair price for an hour and a half of guided time, a Locksley G&T, a tour of the distillery, and several tastings. You are also paying for a small group, with no more than 10 people, which gives the visit a more personal feel.

The value improves if you care about the story behind the drinks. A simple tasting flight might cost less, but it would not give you the same look at the company’s production or the building’s Sheffield connections.

I would judge the price differently depending on your interests. If you only want a quick drink, $24 may feel high. If you enjoy local producers, industrial heritage, and learning how spirits are made, the combination is strong.

A £5 discount on bottles has also been available after the tour. Ask whether that offer applies on your date before buying, since discounts can change. If you find a bottle you like, the saving makes the visit feel even better value.

The tour also offers reserve-now-and-pay-later booking and free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, which can help if your Sheffield plans are still moving around. Check the available starting times when booking, since the visit lasts 1.5 hours and is offered in English.

Who will enjoy this distillery visit?

I would recommend it most to adults who like gin but want more than a bar menu can provide. You get the chance to taste several products while hearing why they were made and how the botanicals were chosen.

It also suits people interested in Sheffield’s industrial identity. The Portland Works setting adds local context, and the stainless-steel connection gives the tour a useful historical thread.

Small groups are another plus for curious drinkers. With 10 people or fewer, you have a better chance to ask about production, compare flavours, or get advice about which bottle to buy.

This is less suitable for anyone under 18, since children are not permitted. It may also disappoint visitors who expect a large, theatrical distillery with extensive public facilities. The appeal here is the close look at a small team and its work.

If you do not drink gin, the visit may have limited value because tasting is central to the experience. You might still enjoy the building and the production story, but the booking is aimed at adults who want to taste the range.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Arrive with enough time to find the gate at Randall Street. Since the entrance can be easy to miss, do not leave your arrival until the last minute.

Bring photo identification. The activity is only for people aged 18 and over, and a passport or ID card is listed among the items to bring.

Wear comfortable shoes and a warm layer. Those are small details, but they make a difference in a historic industrial building.

Keep the group size in mind when booking. Ten people is small enough for conversation, but it also means popular dates can fill quickly. Check the start time and allow 90 minutes for the full visit.

If you are planning to buy a bottle, leave room in your schedule and budget for that possibility. The tasting may help you choose, and a bottle discount may be available after the tour.

Should you book Locksley Distilling Co.?

Yes, if you want an adult-only Sheffield experience that combines local history, small-batch production, and a guided gin tasting. The strongest parts are the Portland Works setting, the friendly guides, and the chance to taste the range with an explanation of the botanicals behind it.

Book with realistic expectations. This is a small working distillery, not a large visitor complex, and the entrance can be awkward to find. Bring warm clothing, arrive at the Randall Street gate, and you will be set up for a relaxed 90-minute visit with plenty to taste and learn.

FAQ

Where does the Locksley Distilling Co. tour meet?

Meet outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street at Portland Works. Your guide will come down to let you in.

How long does the distillery visit last?

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

How many people are in each group?

The group is limited to 10 participants, making this a small-group experience.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and the activity is offered in English.

What is included in the experience?

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

Can children join the tour?

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

What should I bring?

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