REVIEW · SHEFFIELD
Sheffield: Gin Distillery Tasting Visit with Guided Tour
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Locksley Distilling Co. Ltd. · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Gin in a former works building feels special. The Locksley Distilling tasting visit in Sheffield pairs a walk-through of Portland Works with a guided tasting of its growing gin lineup. You get the Sheffield story built into the setting at Portland Works, a grade 2 listed building opened in 1879, and you’ll be led by people like Danny, Jake, and Elliot, who bring real enthusiasm to the room.
I love two things most: the small group size (limited to 10) keeps the pace friendly and questions easy, and the tasting is guided with the origin story behind the core range and why the botanicals were chosen. I also like that the experience leans into small-batch, quality-focused distilling and the idea of keeping production elements in-house.
One possible drawback is the time limit: at 1.5 hours, you’ll sample a lot, but it’s still a short visit. If you want a long, slow gin session, plan on saving the rest of your tasting for later in Sheffield.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Portland Works: Sheffield’s gin setting, not just a backdrop
- Price and timing: is $24 for 1.5 hours good value?
- Where to meet on Randall Street (and how to avoid the first-minute scramble)
- The guided distillery walk: seeing the “how,” not just the “what”
- Tastings that actually teach: G&T first, botanicals next
- Your guide matters: Danny, Jake, Elliot, and the laid-back science of it
- What’s included (and what you should expect from the samples)
- Who should book this Sheffield gin tasting, and who might not
- Practical tips before you go
- The experience rating: what 4.9 out of 5 usually signals
- Should you book the Locksley gin distillery tasting?
- FAQ
- How long is the gin distillery tasting visit?
- What is included in the tour price?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- Is it suitable for children?
- Do I need to bring ID?
- How big is the group?
Key things to know before you go
- Portland Works setting (opened 1879, grade 2 listed): Industrial Sheffield atmosphere with a modern distilling purpose.
- Small group, max 10: Easier conversation, faster turnaround, and more attention from your guide.
- Included Locksley G&T sunshine in a glass: You start tasting right away, not after a long intro.
- In-house focus: You’ll see how production stays local within the team and facilities.
- Guided tasting built around botanicals: You’re not just drinking; you’re learning what drives the flavours.
- Adult-only (18+): This is a serious tasting event, not a family stop.
Portland Works: Sheffield’s gin setting, not just a backdrop
This isn’t a generic visitor center. The tasting visit takes place in Portland Works in the heart of Sheffield, in a grade 2 listed building opened in 1879, which gives the whole evening a “old industry to new craft” feeling. You’ll walk around the distillery home and see the production space for yourself, including how the team has been creating and producing since the start of 2015.
If you like places with texture, you’ll probably enjoy how the building frames the process. It’s stainless steel and production gear next to historic architecture, which makes the tour feel grounded rather than staged. Sheffield has a reputation for practical innovation, and this stop matches that vibe.
Also, you’re in South Yorkshire. That matters because the tour’s warmth is the Yorkshire kind: friendly, direct, and not over-polished. You’re there to learn something, taste something, and have a good time without getting lectured.
Price and timing: is $24 for 1.5 hours good value?
At $24 per person (for a 1.5-hour visit), this sits in the “worth it if you enjoy gin” category. The value comes from two areas. First, you don’t just get a walk-through; you get an included tasting that starts with a Locksley G&T called sunshine in a glass. Second, the group is limited to 10, so you’re paying for interaction, not just access.
The short duration is the trade-off. You’ll cover the key points: the Locksley story, how products are made, and guided sampling of the range. But you won’t have hours to go deep on one specific gin or one specific technique.
If you’re doing a tight itinerary in Sheffield, the timing works well. Ninety minutes is enough to get a clear idea of what Locksley makes and why, and still leave you free to explore the city afterwards.
Where to meet on Randall Street (and how to avoid the first-minute scramble)
Your meeting point is outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street, and your guide will come down to let you in. That detail is important because Portland Works is a working site, not a storefront with a big sign you can miss. Wear something you can move in, because you’ll likely be doing a bit of walking through the building.
Bring a form of ID (passport or ID card). The tour isn’t listed as kid-friendly, and it’s built for adult tasters only, so having ID ready helps avoid delays.
For weather, plan for comfort. You’ll want comfortable shoes and warm clothing, since it’s Yorkshire and timing can easily place you outside before you’re inside the tasting flow.
The guided distillery walk: seeing the “how,” not just the “what”
The core of the experience is an intimate guided tour of the distillery. You’ll get to see around the Portland Works home and learn how their range is produced, with a specific emphasis on keeping elements of production in-house. That’s a big deal in the craft world because it usually means more control over quality, and fewer handoffs between different companies.
You’ll also hear the Locksley creation and development story, including how the team built their distilling approach after starting in 2015. The tour is designed to connect the past with the present, so it’s not just a timeline; it’s more like an explanation of why they make decisions the way they do.
One thing I like in this kind of visit is when the tour answers the practical questions. Here, you’re guided through the production process before you start tasting, which helps your brain link the flavour to the process. When tasting comes later, the learning sticks faster.
Tastings that actually teach: G&T first, botanicals next
You start with an included drink: a Locksley G&T called sunshine in a glass. That’s a smart opener because it sets a baseline flavour experience for the rest of the sampling.
Then the tasting becomes the main event. An expert guide takes you through the core range and explains the origin story and botanical choices behind each product. This is where the experience feels more than a drink sampler. If you’ve ever tasted gin and wondered why one tastes brighter or more floral while another goes more herbal or spicy, this format is built for that question.
You’ll be sampling multiple gins and special brews during the guided tasting. The key point is that the guide ties the flavours back to ingredients and decisions. That turns the tasting into a mini crash course you can carry into future bar orders.
As an example of how the guides can shape the evening, Danny’s friendliness and knowledge, Jake’s passion, and Elliot’s balance of facts and fun come through strongly in recent accounts. The common theme is clear: you’re learning in a relaxed way, not sitting through a stiff lecture.
Your guide matters: Danny, Jake, Elliot, and the laid-back science of it
This tour is small-group and guide-led, which means your guide really shapes the night. In recent experiences, guides like Danny and Jake stand out for their friendly, informed delivery. Elliot also appears as a legend-level guide, with a balance of facts and fun that suits people who want context without boredom.
I like that the tour style seems to work for both casual gin fans and more serious drink people. One person with a bartending background found they learned more than expected, including local history and the kind of innovation you’d usually associate with bigger operations. That tells me the guide aims for real substance, not just a generic script.
If you’re the type who asks questions, this is likely your kind of group. With a maximum of 10 participants, you’re not fighting for attention, and your guide can actually respond.
What’s included (and what you should expect from the samples)
Here’s what’s explicitly included:
- A Locksley G&T (sunshine in a glass*)
- An intimate guided tour of the distillery, with insight into how products are made and a continued commitment to in-house production
- An outlined history of Locksley Distilling’s creation and development, tied to their ethos and aspirations
- An expert guided tasting session, including origin story and botanical choices behind the core range
- A warm Yorkshire-style reception
You should also expect that the tasting is a guided sequence, not random pours. The whole order is meant to help you understand what you’re tasting as you go.
One more practical note: you might want to consider whether you’re driving. The activity involves tasting multiple gin products and an included G&T, so plan accordingly.
Who should book this Sheffield gin tasting, and who might not
This is best for you if you:
- Like gin and want to understand flavour choices, not only drink them
- Enjoy small-group tours where you can ask questions
- Prefer craft stories with local context (Sheffield and South Yorkshire)
- Want a guided experience that mixes history with production basics
It may not fit you as well if:
- You’re looking for a full-day experience. It’s 1.5 hours, and that’s by design.
- You’re traveling with kids. It isn’t suitable for children under 18.
If you’re coming into Sheffield from elsewhere, this is a strong “evening anchor.” It gives you a reason to go somewhere that’s not just a pub crawl, and it gives you a story you can tell later.
Practical tips before you go
A few small moves make this smoother:
- Bring passport or ID card since ID is required.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking inside the building.
- Add warm clothing to your plan, especially if you’ll be waiting outside briefly at the gate.
- Arrive close to the meeting time so you don’t end up cold or rushing.
- Go in ready to taste. This is an event built around sampling.
On planning flexibility, the experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That’s helpful if your Sheffield schedule is still a bit fluid.
The tour runs in English and uses a live guide. Language isn’t a worry, but it does mean you’ll want to be comfortable listening and asking questions.
The experience rating: what 4.9 out of 5 usually signals
The tour has a 4.9 rating based on 36 reviews. That level of satisfaction usually points to consistency: guides who connect with the group, tastings that deliver, and a smooth experience from arrival to the final sample. While no rating is a guarantee, the numbers here suggest this isn’t a one-off good night.
Should you book the Locksley gin distillery tasting?
I think you should book if you want a compact, friendly evening in Sheffield that mixes production, local industrial context, and a guided tasting that teaches you what’s behind the flavours. The small group limit, the included G&T, and the botanical-focused tasting make this feel like more than a simple stop.
Skip it if you hate tasting events, prefer self-guided experiences, or need something much longer and deeper than 90 minutes. But for most gin lovers, the time and price are a good match.
If you want a memorable Sheffield moment, this is one of the better ways to get it: Portland Works on an ordinary day, then gin science and flavour stories once the tasting begins.
FAQ
How long is the gin distillery tasting visit?
The experience lasts 1.5 hours.
What is included in the tour price?
You’ll get a Locksley G&T called sunshine in a glass, an intimate guided tour of the distillery, an outlined history of Locksley Distilling, and an expert guided tasting session.
Where do I meet for the tour?
Wait outside the gate on the corner of Randall Street. Your guide will come down to let you in.
Is it suitable for children?
No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.
Do I need to bring ID?
Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card.
How big is the group?
The group is limited to 10 participants.
