Sheffield: Gin Distillery Tasting Visit with Guided Tour

Locksley Distilling makes its gin inside Portland Works, a grand 1879 building tied to Sheffield’s stainless-steel story. That setting gives this tasting visit more character than a simple bar flight. You see the working home of a small producer, hear how the business grew from 2015, and taste the results with a guide who knows the products well.

I like the small group of no more than 10, which keeps the tour personal, and I like the mix of gin-making, Sheffield industry, and guided tasting. The $24 price also covers plenty of samples and a Locksley G&T. The main catch is finding the entrance: you wait outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street, and the guide lets you in. There may be no clear outside sign.

Key points to know before booking

• Portland Works is part of the experience: Tour a Grade 2 listed building opened in 1879 and linked to the invention of stainless steel.
• The group is capped at 10 people: You get a closer look at the distillery and a better chance to ask questions.
• The tasting goes beyond one gin: You try the core range and other products, with the botanical choices explained.
• The guides bring different strengths: Jake, Danny, and Elliot have all led highly praised visits, with a friendly, relaxed style.
• The price covers a full 90 minutes: At $24, you receive a G&T, a distillery tour, and several tastings.
• The entrance takes planning: Wait at the Randall Street gate and wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Why Portland Works makes a fine starting point

The address is not just a convenient room for pouring drinks. Portland Works is a Grade 2 listed building that opened in 1879, and it played a role in Sheffield’s industrial story as the home of stainless steel.

That matters because the tour links two kinds of making. You learn about old metalworking traditions in the building while seeing modern spirit production carried out by a small, focused team. The contrast gives the visit a clear sense of place. This is not a generic gin tasting that could happen anywhere.

You meet at the gate on the corner of Randall Street. The guide comes down to let you in, so do not expect a large sign or a shopfront that announces itself from the pavement. One visitor had trouble finding the entrance and needed a couple of phone calls before being met outside.

I would arrive with the meeting point already saved on your phone. Bring warm clothing, since an old industrial building may feel cool, and choose comfortable shoes. You also need a passport or ID card, as specified for the activity.

The first taste: a Locksley G&T

The visit includes a Locksley G&T, described by the distillery as sunshine in a glass. It gives you a gentle introduction before the more detailed tasting begins.

This opening drink also helps set the tone. You are not simply walking through equipment while someone recites production facts. The drink gives you an immediate sense of what the distillery wants its products to do in the glass.

The exact gin poured can depend on the session, but the visit is built around tasting the company’s growing range. That makes this a useful stop for anyone who wants to compare styles rather than drink one sample and leave.

If you are already a gin fan, the first drink may feel familiar. The value comes later, when the guide connects each product with its ingredients, origins, and production choices.

Inside a small-batch Sheffield distillery

The central part of the tour explains how Locksley Distilling makes its products. The company has been producing since the start of 2015 and has spent about a decade developing its range.

You get an intimate look at a small operation that keeps every part of production in-house. That phrase is important. It means the tour can show you how the distillery approaches its work from start to finish, rather than presenting only a branded tasting room.

The team does not aim to be the biggest distillery. Its stated goal is to be the best it can be, with a strong focus on quality and craft. In practical terms, you can expect the guide to discuss the equipment, methods, and decisions behind the spirits rather than talk only about packaging.

The scale of the place should appeal to you if you like independent producers. You are close to the working environment, and a group of 10 leaves more room for questions than a large commercial tour. It is also easier to follow the explanation when the guide can speak to the whole group without shouting.

The trade-off is that this is a small distillery, not a giant visitor attraction. You should book it for the people, the process, and the setting. Do not expect a large museum, a long list of rooms, or an elaborate stage-managed show.

A tasting built around botanicals and origin stories

After seeing how the spirits are made, you taste through the core range with a guide. Each product comes with an explanation of its botanical choices and origin story.

That detail makes the tasting more useful than a succession of unnamed samples. You can pay attention to how different ingredients shape the character of each gin, then decide which style suits your own taste. Even if you do not know much about botanicals, the format is aimed at ordinary drinkers rather than industry specialists.

A bartender who attended the visit found there was still plenty to learn, including the distillery’s history and its more inventive small-scale work. That suggests the session has enough substance for people who already know the basics, while remaining approachable for first-time gin tasters.

You may also try special brews or products beyond the main core range. The selection is described as ever growing, so the exact line-up can change. That is a plus if you want a fresh look at the distillery’s work, but it means you should not book expecting a fixed menu of samples.

The tasting is not presented as a formal lesson with rigid rules. The guides use a personable style, balancing facts with humor and conversation. Jake has been praised for his enthusiasm and broad knowledge of gin, while Danny has been described as friendly and well informed. Elliot has also led a session with a good balance of facts and fun.

Why the guides matter

A distillery tour can be dry if the guide treats it as a list of machinery and dates. Here, the human side appears to be one of the main strengths.

Jake’s style is especially suited to curious drinkers. He can talk about gin and related drinks at length, but the session remains aimed at laypeople rather than only bartenders or spirits experts. Danny brings a warm, approachable manner, and Elliot has been described as lively and easy to follow.

You may meet the owners as well, depending on the session. That possibility adds a personal touch, since you can connect the products with the people who created the business.

The exact guide is not guaranteed, so book for the structure of the visit rather than one named person. Still, the repeated praise for the guides points to a consistent strength: the information is delivered with energy, not as a memorized speech.

I would ask questions as you go. Small groups work best when you take advantage of the chance to ask about botanicals, production, and the distillery’s development.

The building and Sheffield’s industrial story

The Portland Works setting gives the tour a second subject beyond gin. You hear about Sheffield’s industrial past and the building’s link to stainless steel.

One useful correction to a common assumption came through clearly during the visit: stainless steel was developed in Sheffield, not the United States. That fact gives the building extra interest, especially if you are exploring the city’s industrial identity.

The old structure and modern distillation methods sit side by side. You can learn how a historic workplace has become home to a young drinks company, with the distillery using the setting without turning the whole visit into a museum lecture.

For me, that local connection is one of the best reasons to choose this experience over a standard tasting in a city-centre bar. You get a product, a building, and a story tied to Sheffield. The visit still centers on gin, but the wider setting gives it more substance.

Is $24 good value?

At $24 per person, the visit sits in an accessible price range for a 90-minute guided tasting. You receive a Locksley G&T, a tour of the distillery, an account of the company’s development, and several samples from the range.

The value is strongest if you enjoy both drinks and local history. A simple gin flight might cost less, but it would not give you access to the production space or the Portland Works story. A longer museum visit might offer more history, but not the tasting and direct contact with a small producer.

The small-group format also matters. With no more than 10 participants, your money pays for a more personal session rather than a large, impersonal presentation.

A bottle purchase may be tempting after the tasting. One deal associated with the visit gives you £5 off bottles of gin, though the supplied details do not specify the conditions or whether the offer applies to every product. Ask the distillery before relying on it.

The only value concern is personal taste. If you do not drink alcohol or have little interest in spirits production, much of the visit will be lost on you. This is strictly for adults, and children under 18 cannot take part.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be visiting a working distillery inside an old industrial building, so practical footwear makes more sense than formal shoes.

Bring warm clothing as well. The activity specifically recommends it, and Portland Works is a historic building rather than a modern, climate-controlled visitor center.

Carry a passport or ID card, as identification is listed among the things to bring. The tour is in English, and the live guide speaks English throughout.

Plan a little extra time to locate Randall Street and the correct gate. The entrance is on the corner, and the guide comes down to let you in. Since nothing may be displayed outside for insurance reasons, you might not see a prominent distillery sign.

The activity lasts 1.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later if you want to keep your plans flexible.

Who will enjoy this visit most

I would recommend it to gin drinkers who want more context with their samples. You get the pleasure of tasting, but also a look at production and a link to Sheffield’s industrial past.

It suits couples, friends, and small groups looking for an evening activity. The relaxed format also works for a parent and adult child, as long as everyone is over 18.

Craft-drinks enthusiasts should find enough detail to stay interested, while newcomers get a clear introduction without needing specialist knowledge. The session is also a good fit for bartenders or serious home drinkers who want to hear how a small distillery makes and develops its products.

It is less suitable if you want a large attraction with lots of visual displays or a long meal. It is also not a family activity, and people who dislike gin or spirits tastings should choose another Sheffield experience.

Should you book the Locksley Distilling tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact look at a Sheffield producer, with a historic building, a proper tasting, and a chance to ask questions. The 90-minute format is long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over your day, and $24 is fair for the drink, samples, and guided access.

I especially like the combination of Portland Works and the small-batch approach. You leave with more than a few drinks in your glass: you understand how the company began, why the location matters, and how botanicals shape the range.

Take the meeting-point warning seriously, wear warm clothes, and arrive ready to taste several products. If that sounds like your kind of afternoon or evening, this is an easy Sheffield booking to recommend.

FAQ

Where does the gin distillery tour take place?

The tour takes place at Locksley Distilling in Portland Works, a Grade 2* listed building in Sheffield.

What is the meeting point?

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

How long does the experience last?

The guided tour and tasting last 1.5 hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $24 per person.

What is included in the tour?

You receive a Locksley G&T, an intimate guided distillery tour, information about the company’s development, and a guided tasting of the core range and other products.

How many people are in each group?

The activity is limited to 10 participants.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and the listed language is English.

Can children join the experience?

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

What should I bring?

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

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.