York’s newest attraction is open after months of work to transform a former swimming pool.
What was the pool house at Middletons Hotel on Skeldergate is now the York Distillery.
Created by the makers of York Gin, the distillery will teach people how to make their very own unique gin, and host tastings and cocktail-making classes.
The team from York Gin will also work in the distillery to create new flavours for their award-winning range of drinks.
The distillery features a bar and several spirit making stations, complete with copper stills.
People taking part in the spirit-making classes can choose to infuse their drinks with flavours from a range of ingredients displayed on shelves in an alcove.
York Distillery and York Gin are both owned by York Drinks. Co-founder Emma Godivala told YorkMix: “It’s been been a bit of a journey.
“We wanted to open something in the city centre for a while. We’ve obviously always had our shop here.
“We do make our gins at our main site in Murton but we wanted places people can visit and make their own and really learn their stuff. So this is a really excellent spot for us.”
She thanked Middletons Hotel and owners Daniel Thwaites for making them so welcome.
York Distillery’s business development manager Becky Tatham said the space was for everyone.
“We’re hoping to get the locals on board. We can do hen parties, birthdays. I’ve literally just had an inquiry of somebody to have a voucher for after they’ve given birth to their daughter. So it’s a perfect gift to celebrate the birth of a newborn!
“So literally everyone. We really want to reach out to corporates as well, because it’s because it’s the perfect sort of setting for team building and tour groups as well.”
You can find out more about York Distillery here.
