A grade 2 building makes gin feel like history. This Locksley Distilling visit pairs Portland Works (opened in 1879) with modern, small-batch production, all wrapped into a friendly, fact-filled tasting. It is a small-group tour, so you get time to ask questions and actually talk through what makes their spirits different.

I really like two things here. First, you start with a Locksley G&T and then move into a guided tasting that explains the origin story and botanical choices behind their core range. Second, the tour focuses on how everything is done in-house, so you see the practical side of distilling instead of just marketing talk.

• Portland Works setting: a Grade 2 listed building from 1879 that adds real texture to the visit
• Small-group limit (10 people): enough room to ask questions without feeling rushed
• Two-stage tasting: a Locksley G&T first, then a guided run through their range and botanical thinking
• In-house production focus: you get the practical story of how they keep work inside their own setup
• Guides set the tone: names like Danny, Jake, and Elliot come up for their passion and straight talk

Portland Works: a Grade 2 building where gin gets made

Sheffield’s gin scene isn’t built around big-name gloss. It is built around place, process, and the kind of team energy you can feel when a small operation takes craft seriously. Your tour starts at Portland Works, a Grade 2 listed building opened in 1879, which is a big part of why this experience feels grounded.

The building itself matters because it’s tied to the story of stainless steel production there. During the visit, you get context on how the industrial past of the site connects to what the distillery is doing now, including how their production setup works with the space. If you like travel experiences that connect past and present instead of keeping them in separate boxes, you will enjoy the way this tour blends both.

Also, it is not a huge venue where you get herded around like a number. People in the group keep it conversational, and you can tell the guides are used to answering questions from normal, curious people.

How the guided tour runs in 90 minutes

This is a compact outing at 1.5 hours, and that timing is a plus. You get a full evening-style plan without losing half your night to travel, queues, or waiting around for the next group to move. The tour is live, English-speaking, and designed for small numbers—10 participants max—so the guide can pace it like a real conversation.

In the first part of your visit, you tour the distillery itself. You will see their production environment and learn how their products are made, with the guide guiding your attention to what matters. It helps that the tour is presented in plain language; it is aimed at people who want to understand the basics and the why behind choices, not just collect trivia.

Then the group shifts into tasting mode. You do not just get a sample and a thumbs-up. The tasting is structured as a guided session where you learn the origin story and botanical choice behind the core products, and you can compare flavours as you go.

One practical thought: because it is short, come ready to focus. If you are the type who loves reading every sign and lingering for ten photos each stop, you may find the pace a little brisk. But if you like a well-run plan, this format lands well.

Stainless steel, small-batch mindset, and the in-house approach

Locksley Distilling is not positioning itself as the largest player in the market. They are positioning themselves as the one that cares most about consistent quality. The tour explains their small yet dedicated team and the way they have been producing since the start of 2015, along with their ten years of distilling experience.

What I like about this approach is that it explains craft in a way you can understand. Instead of treating distilling as a black box, you get a clear sense of how a smaller operation can stay flexible while still building repeatable quality. When they talk about keeping production in-house, you feel the logic: control the process, control the standards, and reduce the handoffs where things can go sideways.

There is also a Yorkshire warmth baked in. The experience is described as having the kind of welcome you only get when the team is genuinely proud of what they do. That matters because distillery tours can sometimes feel like scripted show-and-tell. Here, the tone is more like a passionate explanation from a team who enjoys sharing.

And yes, there is a cool industrial story tied to the location. People have pointed out learning where stainless steel was invented, and that detail sticks because it makes the building feel more than a backdrop.

Tasting session: Locksley G&T plus the botanical story

Your tasting experience starts with a Locksley G&T, described as sunshine in a glass. That first sip is a smart move because it sets a baseline for the rest of the tasting—now you know what their style tastes like before you start comparing other offerings.

After that, you go through their growing product range with an expert guide. The tasting session is built around learning: you get the origin story and the botanical choice behind their core products. In plain terms, you are not just tasting botanicals, you are learning the logic behind the flavour profiles.

If you care about what makes gin taste the way it tastes—citrus versus spice, floral lift versus herbal backbone—this is where the tour earns its value. The guide’s job is to help you connect what you notice in the glass to what they chose in the recipe.

A bonus detail from visitor experience: there can be a small bottle offer on the day. One guide’s tour experience included mention of £5 off bottles of gin, and that kind of perk is exactly what makes a distillery visit feel like a complete evening, not just a tasting flight with no practical payoff.

Meet your guides: Danny, Jake, Elliot, and the best part is the energy

A distillery tour lives or dies by the guide. Here, the names that come up again and again are Danny, Jake, and Elliot. The common thread is passion that stays practical. One person highlighted Danny as friendly and very knowledgeable, while others praised Jake’s enthusiasm and Elliot’s legend-status for a great balance of facts and fun.

What that means for you: you are likely to get explanations that connect to real-world taste. If you are a bartender, you may still learn new context, like the Sheffield angle and the way the distillery thinks about its products. Even if you are brand new to gin, you should still feel like you’re keeping up.

There is also an important vibe point: multiple visitors noted the tour is aimed at normal people, not a stuffy lecture. You can ask questions, you can enjoy samples, and you are not expected to memorise a chemistry textbook to have a good time.

Price and value: does $24 make sense?

At about $24 per person for roughly 90 minutes, the best way to judge value is what’s included. You get:

• A Locksley G&T at the start
• A guided distillery tour that explains how their liquids are made
• A guided tasting focused on botanicals and origin stories
• A warm, Yorkshire-style welcome

That combo matters. You are paying for three things at once: a tour of the production environment, an educational guide, and multiple tastings that are tied to explanations. Tours that only do one of those parts tend to feel thin. This one is built so the tasting connects directly to what you just saw.

There is also the small-group element. Limited to 10 people, you are less likely to feel like you are standing in the back and getting swallowed by the crowd. That is part of why people score it extremely high.

Practical stuff: shoes, ID, and finding Portland Works

Portland Works is in central Sheffield, and you meet outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street. You wait there, and your guide comes down to let you in. That simple setup works, but it also means you should arrive a few minutes early so you do not rush the start.

You should bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing

Warm clothing is not optional advice. You are outside at the start, and older industrial sites can feel cooler than you expect, especially in the evening.

One more heads-up from real-world experience: people have found it tricky to spot the venue quickly because there is limited ability to put outside signage up for insurance reasons. If you have trouble, give the team a couple minutes to confirm you’re at the right gate, rather than pacing around in frustration.

Also note the age rule. This experience is not suitable for children under 18, so it is an adults-only evening plan.

Who should do this Sheffield gin tour

I think this tour fits best if you like craft drinks and you enjoy learning without feeling tested. It is especially good for:

• People who want a guided gin tasting with botanicals explained
• Anyone curious about Sheffield’s industrial story, including the stainless steel connection
• Bar staff or drink nerds who appreciate technique and history, not just flavour talk
• Couples and small groups who want an intimate 90-minute activity

If you are the type who hates walking through production areas or gets queasy around smells from spirits, you might find it less comfortable. But if you enjoy the idea of seeing how gin is made and then tasting with context, you will likely have a good time.

And if you want a straightforward evening with a clear beginning and end, the 1.5-hour format makes it easy to pair with dinner plans before or after.

Should you book this Sheffield gin tasting tour?

I’d book it if you want real context with your gin, not just samples. The price is reasonable for a small-group tour that includes a starting G&T and a guided tasting tied to botanicals and product stories. The setting—Portland Works—adds atmosphere without turning the visit into a museum-style stop.

Skip it only if you are strictly looking for a longer tour, or if you dislike the idea of meeting outside a gate and navigating an older industrial entrance. Otherwise, it is a solid way to spend an evening in Sheffield: you get history, you get production insight, and you get to taste along the way.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the gin distillery tasting visit in Sheffield?

The guided visit runs for 1.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $24 per person.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is limited to a small group of 10 participants.

What is included in the tour price?

You get a Locksley G&T, an intimate guided tour of the distillery, and an expert guided tasting session where you learn about the origin stories and botanical choices behind the core range.

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.

Is there an age limit for this experience?

Yes. It is not suitable for children under 18.

What should I bring with me?

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

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is English.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I need to pay right away?

You can reserve now and pay later, keeping your travel plans flexible.

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