oxford gin tours

The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Top ways to experience The Oxford Artisan Distillery and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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The Oxford Artisan Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.15 mi) Brooke's Lodge Guesthouse
• (0.50 mi) Sandfield Guest House
• (0.52 mi) Red Mullions
• (0.69 mi) Oxford Coach and Horses
• (0.78 mi) The Claddagh Guest House
• (0.16 mi) Starbucks
• (0.56 mi) Yeti Nepalese Restaurant
• (0.58 mi) Antep Kitchen
• (0.63 mi) Za'atar Bake
• (0.40 mi) White Horse

Opening Times: Shop: 11am – 2.30pm weekdays.  Bar: every Friday and Saturday, 6pm – 11pm.

• Distillery Tours

Sky Wave Distillery Tour and gin tasting 2024

See the magic, hear the stories, enjoy the gin.

“Bicester’s best kept secret! Brilliant experience learning about the world’s best contemporary gin.” – a recent visitor’s review on TripAdvisor

Easily accessible from London, Birmingham or Oxford

Distillery Experience & Gin Tasting in Oxfordshire 202 4

£25 per person | 1hr 15 mins | Bicester, Oxfordshire

Immerse yourself in Gin Heaven at our boutique distillery, the Home of the World’s Best Contemporary Gin. Hear the stories and drink award winning gin at the only distillery based on a former WW2 RAF base, now the beautiful Bicester Heritage, home of historic motoring.  

The Sky Wave Distillery Experience is perfect for gin lovers so indulge yourself, your friends and family or give the gift of gin with our Distillery Gift Vouchers .

Location: Bicester Heritage OX27 8AL  

By Train: 5 min taxi ride from Bicester North, 10 min from Bicester Village

Winner of the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, now two years in a row!

Sky Wave Distillery Experience & Gin Tasting 202 4

“The experience was great from start to finish, I can highly recommend it.”

Includes: 4 Gin and Tonics, tutored tasting, all things Sky Wave and 10% saving on purchases on the day *

Duration: 75 minutes

Dates and Times:

• Fridays 4pm – 5.15pm
• Saturdays 12.30pm – 1.45pm and 4.00pm – 5.15pm
• Occasional Sundays 3.00pm – 4.30pm (check dates below)

Cost: £25 per person

Rated “5 out of 5” on Trip Advisor and “5 Stars – Excellent” on Trust Pilot

Location: Bicester Heritage, Bicester OX27 8AL

By Train: Bicester North or Bicester Village (5 min or 10 min taxi ride respectively)

Accessibility: We take accessibility very seriously at Sky Wave, for all visitors to our Distillery Experiences, bar and shop. For more information, click here .

Join us for gin and stories! 

Sky Wave HQ, the Home of the World’s Best Contemporary Gin, is now open on Fridays and Saturdays, and the occasional Sunday, for an intimate behind the scenes experience. Join us at our boutique distillery where your hosts will guide you through the Sky Wave story, how our award winning gins are created culminating in a tutored gin tasting.  It’s gin heaven as we include 4 complimentary G&Ts. Perfect for friends, partners, birthdays, celebrations or gift a Distillery  Experience Voucher. 

Come and immerse yourself in The Spirit of Oxfordshire.

• 4 complimentary G&Ts from our award winning range are included in your visit
• *Save 10% on all purchases over £30 on the day
• Drivers Packs available (for those who do not partake of any alcohol at all)
• Tutored gin tasting
• Behind the scenes access with your Distillery Host
• Experience Bicester Heritage, the Home of Historic Motoring based on the beautifully preserved WW2 RAF Bicester site.
• Combine a visit to us with a trip to Bicester Village Designer Shopping Centre, a 10 minute taxi ride away.
• We are also a 20 minute drive from historic Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

We are easily accessible by train from London, Birmingham and Oxford. Bicester North and Bicester Village are just a 5 and 10 minute taxi ride away, respectively. Book via Alpha Cars on 01869 252525‬‬‬ or Bicester Cars 01869 247247

Please note: As this is an alcohol-based event, attendance is strictly limited to over-18s only. To be clear, we are unable to admit under-18s, even as spectators; nor babies or toddlers. Proof of age may be required if you look under 25, in the opinion of the event hosts .

BOOK YOUR DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE

Click on your preferred date below to start the booking process.

Have a gift voucher? You will be able to apply it on the basket/checkout page.

…or book a gift card for a future experience?

Why not make an overnight trip of it.

Bicester Heritage has four beautifully appointed, comfortable Crew Rooms for overnight use by visitors to the historic former RAF site.  Go here  for more information and to view how fabulous they are.

There is usually a minimum booking of two nights; one night bookings are accepted but will incur a cleaning surcharge of £40 inc VAT.

Please contact the booking agency, Red Kite Hosts directly for any queries by email at [email protected] or book through the website at book.redkitehosts.com . And please do tell them we sent you!

The Sky Wave Distillery, The North Tanker Sheds 105, Bicester Heritage, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX27 8AL.

Cancellation Policy: We are happy to refund or rebook (change the date) of your Distillery Experience if you are unable to attend, if you let us know more than 48 hours ahead of the date and time of your booking. We must strictly enforce this policy as staff and resources will be committed by then. Please note that all refunds will be paid less £1.00 per person which is the non-recoverable fee charged by our payment provider.

Thank you for joining us!

Your 10% off code is SWFRIENDS10 .

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We’re currently offering free shipping across our whole range.

This may be withdrawn at any time, so take advantage now!  No code needed.  Click the button below to go straight to the online shop.

Oxford Sky Wave Gin Distillery Guided Tour

About this activity.

Smartphone tickets accepted

• Your booking is confirmed instantly
• This activity is in your language
• This option has FREE cancellation: book it without any risk!

Experience Highlights

Discover the magic behind one of the most iconic gins with this private tour of approximately 75 minutes at the Sky Wave distillery in Oxford . Immerse yourself in the artisanal process of this exquisite drink and with a local expert , learn about everything from the ingredients selected to the history behind each distillation. Meanwhile, indulge in a tasting of 3 gins to taste .

Learn first hand how delicious they are and during this journey of flavours just for you and your companions, enjoy a complimentary Gin Tonic on arrival and at the end, plus a 15% discount on all in-store purchases.

• Immerse yourself in the paradise of the world's finest gin with this approximately 75 minute guided tour of the Sky Wave distillery in Oxford .
• Join this unique experience just for you and your companions and taste 3 different varieties of gin .
• Learn about the distillation process and gin production from an expert .
• Receive a complimentary Gin Tonic on arrival, relax with another at the end of your visit and enjoy using your 15% discount on in-store products.

What’s included

• Approximately 75 minute guided tour of the Sky Wave Gin Distillery in Oxford.
• Private tour of the facilities.
• Team of experts who will accompany you during the visit.
• Complimentary Gin Tonic on arrival, 3 gins to taste and another complimentary Gin Tonic at the end.

Select participants and date

Step by step.

Discover the history of one of the world's most iconic drinks with this private tour of the Sky Wine gin distillery in Oxford . For approximately 75 minutes , accompanied by a local expert, you'll discover the entire artisanal process of its creation. You'll learn the story behind each distillation, indulge in a delicious tasting of 3 types of gin , and enjoy discounts on all Sky Wave products .

Located on a former WWII RAF base, Bicester's only craft gin distillery is now home to many award-winning gins , including The World's Best Contemporary Gin 2020.

With fabulously smooth, hand-crafted gins, you'll receive a complimentary Sky Wave Gin Tonic as a welcome drink on arrival. With a team of experts guiding you through a tour just for you and your companions, you'll delve into the fascinating history and facilities.

Learn about every stage of the gin distillation and production process , from the maceration of botanicals to bottling, and marvel at the art and science behind every drop of gin. See the delicate balance of aromas and flavours in each distillate and after an in-depth look at the entire artisanal process, sit down to enjoy 3 different varieties of Sky Wave gin .

Spot the different flavours and nuances of each drink and then relax in the bar area with another complimentary Gin Tonic as a farewell . Take the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the experience with your group and before you leave, take advantage of your 15% discount on all in-store purchases . Get your favourite Sky Wave products now and take them home with you.

• M María Carmen 5 (0 Reviews) Me encantó la parte donde nos mostraron el proceso de destilación, muy interesante. El sabor de la ginebra al final, simplemente espectacular.
• V Valentina 5 (0 Reviews) Fantástico recorrido por la destilería de ginebra. Guía experto, aprendí mucho y disfruté de las degustaciones. ¡Recomendado para amantes de la ginebra!
• L Leonardo 5 (0 Reviews) Gran tour, aprendes mucho sobre la ginebra. Mejoraría con degustaciones más variadas. Puntuación 8/10.
• A Ana 4 (0 Reviews) La visita a la destilería fue una experiencia fascinante y educativa, aunque el tour pudo haber sido un poco más largo para disfrutar más detenidamente.

Other Things You Should Know

• This is a private activity. Only you and your companions can participate.
• Wheelchair accessible.
• Assistance animals are allowed.
• Not suitable for pregnant women.
• In case of cancellation due to adverse weather conditions or not reaching the minimum number of participants, you will be offered a change of date or a full refund of the amount paid.
• Existing regulations regarding preventive measures against COVID-19 shall be applied.

Cancellation Policy

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The Oxford Artisan Distillery - TOAD

Address: The Oxford Artisan Distillery, South Park, Cheney Lane, Oxford, OX3 7QJ

Availability : Monday - Saturday: 11.00am (Booking ahead is recommended).

Duration of Tour: 45 minutes

Book HERE .

Read the Gin  REVIEW .

For Your Money:

There are a couple of tours on offer at The Oxford Artisanal Distillery, but most will go for the “standard” tour. The Standard Tour is a march around the beautiful distillery, where you’ll be shown how the TOAD team make their vodka, gin, absinthe and whisky from scratch. It’s amazing to see the process move from grain to bottle and you’re all but guaranteed to come away with as many questions as answers.

The Founder’s Tour costs £50 and lasts a further 45 minutes. As the name suggests, it’s hosted by one of the three founders this tour gives a unique insight into their journey from conception all the way to bottle. As a team they are big characters too, so it’s incredibly personable as a visit and they spend time talking about how they source the ingredients and the work that goes into making the vodka, gin, absinthe and rye whiskey. After this in-depth tour, they also host an extended tasting session, taking you through all the different spirits and finishing with a large gin and tonic.

A few thoughts from Gin Foundry:

The stills are completely bonkers and unique looking and as a tour, this is one of the more memorable ones you’ll find in the UK.

Anywhere that goes grain to glass has a lot to talk about and TOAD certainly doesn’t disappoint in terms of content, passion. If you have a broad interest go for the Standard tour, it’s good, but if you do know a little more about booze already and really want to get under the skin of this place - the Founders tour delivers the difference in price.

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The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

Stepping into The Oxford Artisan Distillery is akin to unraveling a tapestry woven with centuries of expertise and innovation.

As visitors traverse the distillery’s hallowed halls, a symphony of sights and aromas envelops them, hinting at the meticulous craftsmanship behind each bottle of spirits.

But what truly sets this tour apart is not just the process itself, but the stories etched into every copper still and oak barrel.

Join in on this sensory journey and uncover the hidden tales that infuse every drop of liquid art, promising an experience that transcends mere observation.

• Witness the meticulous craft of spirit-making firsthand.
• Sample curated gin and vodka selections with expert guidance.
• Gain insight into the distillation process and craftsmanship.
• Explore the Old Threshing Barn and experience a blend of history, science , and artistry.

Here's some more nearby activities we've reviewed

• Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide
• Oxford Official University & City Tour
• Downton Abbey and the Cotswolds
• Oxford Sightseeing River Cruise Along The University Regatta Course

Tour Overview

Set out on an immersive journey through the art of spirit-making with the captivating Oxford Artisan Distillery tour. Production methods are at the heart of the experience, as guests witness the meticulous crafting process firsthand. The distillery prides itself on using local ingredients sourced from the surrounding areas, ensuring a true taste of Oxford in every sip.

Visitors gain insight into the distillation techniques employed, from selecting the finest grains to distilling the spirits with precision. The tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about the grain-to-glass process, highlighting the attention to detail and craftsmanship involved in creating high-quality gin and vodka.

This behind-the-scenes look offers a deeper appreciation for the artistry and dedication that goes into each bottle.

Tasting Experience

Indulge your palate in a curated selection of locally produced gin and vodka during the captivating Oxford Artisan Distillery tour. Visitors are treated to a delightful tasting experience that showcases the distillery’s craftsmanship and dedication to quality spirits. Here’s what you can expect:

Gin Flavors : Sample a range of gin flavors , from classic juniper-forward profiles to more contemporary botanical blends, each offering a unique taste journey.

Vodka Varieties : Explore different vodka varieties , from smooth and clean expressions to more robust and characterful options, highlighting the versatility of this spirit.

Expert Guidance : Knowledgeable staff members guide you through the tasting session, providing insights into the production process and helping you appreciate the nuances of each spirit.

Distilling Process Insights

Exploring the inner workings of the distilling process at the Oxford Artisan Distillery unveils the meticulous craft behind creating their exceptional spirits. The distillery places a strong emphasis on grain sourcing , carefully selecting the finest grains to ensure the highest quality in their spirits.

They pay close attention to the fermentation techniques , a crucial step in the process that influences the final flavor profile of their gin and vodka. By understanding the importance of grain selection and fermentation, visitors gain insights into the artistry and dedication that go into each bottle produced at the distillery.

These elements contribute significantly to the unique character and superior quality of the spirits crafted at the Oxford Artisan Distillery.

Distillery Stops

At the Oxford Artisan Distillery, visitors are taken on a captivating journey through various stops within the distillery’s premises, offering a comprehensive look into the craft of spirit production. The tour includes:

Old Threshing Barn : A historic setting where the traditional methods of processing grain are showcased, providing a glimpse into the distillery’s heritage.

Lab Insights : Guests are given the opportunity to peek behind the scenes into the scientific side of spirit production, witnessing the precise measurements and experimentation involved.

Distillery Visit : The final stop takes guests through the heart of the distillery, where the intricate process of distillation and bottling unfolds before their eyes.

These stops offer a well-rounded experience, blending history , science , and craftsmanship seamlessly.

Logistics and Location

Visitors to the Oxford Artisan Distillery embark on an immersive journey through the world of spirits, starting at the meeting point located at The Oxford Artisan Distillery on Cheney Ln in Oxford. The distillery is easily accessible by bus from Oxford City Centre, making it convenient for travelers. For those driving, there is limited parking available on-site. The tour concludes back at the meeting point, providing a seamless experience for participants.

Traveler Reviews and Experiences

Embarking on the Oxford Artisan Distillery tour offers an insight into the world of spirits through the eyes of experienced travelers and their feedback. Traveler insights reveal diverse tasting preferences and experiences, shaping the tour’s reputation based on their encounters.

Here are some key points gathered from the reviews:

Rich Tasting Experiences: Travelers praise the diverse range of flavors in the spirits offered during the tasting session.

Informative and Engaging Guides: Visitors appreciate the knowledgeable guides who enhance the learning experience with intriguing facts about the distillation process.

Quality Products: Positive feedback highlights the high-quality gin and vodka produced at the distillery, catering to various tasting preferences .

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we have reviewed.

• Private Oxford Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide
• Oxford Bike Tour With Student Guide
• Oxford Scenic Cycle Tour- 2 Persons Minimum Summer Season
• Afternoon Tea Sightseeing River Cruise in Oxford
• Private Harry Potter Film Locations Walking Tour
• Short Oxford Family Friendly Tour

Common questions

Can Visitors Purchase Bottles of Gin and Vodka to Take Home After the Tour?

Visitors can purchase bottles of gin and vodka to take home after the tour. The distillery shop offers gift options and merchandise. The tasting experience enhances the opportunity to select favorite spirits to enjoy beyond the visit.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participating in the Distillery Tour and Tasting Session?

For the distillery tour and tasting session, age restrictions may apply. Tour availability can vary based on the distillery’s guidelines. Visitors should verify any age requirements before planning their visit to ensure a seamless experience.

Is There a Minimum Number of Participants Required for the Tour to Take Place?

For the tour to proceed, a minimum number of participants is required. Tour availability may depend on meeting this requirement. It’s recommended to check with the tour operator about the minimum participants needed for the experience.

Are There Any Additional Activities or Events Offered at the Oxford Artisan Distillery Besides the Standard Tour?

Local collaborations enhance the tour experience, introducing unique products and perspectives. Workshop experiences offer hands-on learning opportunities, delving deeper into the craft of distillation. These extra activities enrich visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the distillery’s artistry.

Are There Any Special Promotions or Discounts Available for Booking Multiple Tours or Group Visits?

Group discounts and promotional offers are available for booking multiple tours or group visits. Tour souvenirs and merchandise are also offered for purchase. These incentives enhance the experience and provide opportunities for savings and mementos.

Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

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Set out on an unforgettable journey through The Oxford Artisan Distillery and discover the artistry behind crafting premium spirits.

With a behind-the-scenes look at the distillation process, a tasting session of locally produced gin and vodka, and informative guides to enhance your experience, this tour is a must for any spirits enthusiast.

Don’t miss out on this immersive and educational adventure that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship of distilling.

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Distillery shop open Thursday, Friday & Saturdays from 11am. Free delivery for orders over £50

Elitario/Home

Grapefruit & Lime Gin

London Dry Gin

Tour Gift Voucher

Welcome to our distillery.

We are a craft distillery based in Abingdon-on-Thames producing an award-winning range of gins, rum & single malt English whisky.

Tours, Tastings & Experiences

Book our distillery tour  which runs every Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm.  Learn about our craft with a tour of our production area followed by a guided tasting of our spirits at the distillery bar.

The Rum Academy offers a unique evening experience, blend your own bottle of rum to take home from our inventory of cask aged rums. Discover a history of rum and how we make our range of rums from scratch.

Proudly Made, Award-Winning Spirits

We are super proud of what comes out of our distillery and quality is at the forefront of our ethos. That’s why from start to finish we do everything in house, keeping a very close eye on quality raw materials and our sustainability credentials.

Copper Pot Distilled

We distil all our spirits the traditional way using our two copper pot stills. They play a huge part in producing our smooth & flavoursome award-winning spirits.

One Shot Method

All our gins are distilled using the ‘one shot’ method. Only purified water is added post distillation and we don't use concentrates, artificial colours or flavourings

Small Batch

We produce hand crafted spirits with the utmost quality. Our batches are no more than 130 bottles so we can keep total control on production quality levels.

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HOW TO FIND US

Old Depot, South Park, Cheney Ln, Headington, Oxford OX3 7QJ Telephone:  01865 767918 Email:  [email protected]

Situated in Oxford’s South park, the distillery is a pleasant 30 minute walk from Oxford city centre, great views of the city do come with a price so prepare for some uphill walking! If you are arriving by train to Oxford a taxi will take you about 10 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Take the number 15 bus towards Wood Farm and get off at the Warneford Hospital stop. From there, The Oxford Artisan Distillery is just a short 300 metres walk away.

Alternatively, catch any bus to Oxford Brookes University - either the 8, 9, 280 or U1. We are a five-minute walk from the campus.

We have a small amount of parking available at the distillery. If you are coming from out of town we recommend using the Thornhill Park & Ride, disembarking at the Oxford Brookes University stop.

Place of registration: England and Wales Registered office of Still On The Hill Ltd is c/o Wellers, 8 King Edward Street, Oxford, OX1 4HL, UK. Company Registration no: 9804220 | VAT Registered: GB224178518

© Still On The Hill Ltd 2024

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PLEASE DON’T MIND US GETTING PERSONAL BUT WE HAVE TO ASK IF YOU ARE OF LEGAL DRINKING AGE IN YOUR COUNTRY?

ARE YOU OF LEGAL DRINKING AGE IN YOUR COUNTRY?

IN THE UK, YOU HAVE TO BE 18 OR OVER TO VIEW OUR SITE.

© Still On The Hill Ltd 2023

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Oxford food guide, meta data and taxonomies filter, toad – the oxford artisan distillery.

19th October 2017 by Becca Chaplin 26 Comments Blog

I first got to try TOAD at a Pint Shop  gin tasting, which is a fantastic event and if you like gin in any way, do go to one! Tom Nicholson, CEO and an Oxford boy, was there to talk us through the flavours and how TOAD came about. It’s a story worth going to the distillery itself to hear – the way the team discovered the ancient grains used to produce the base spirit is fascinating. Then the development of the distillery itself is one of those chance chats to someone who knows someone you should talk to, so on and so forth until you end up with a team of people who may otherwise never have met.

Those people include Cory Mason, an American infamous for his New York speakeasy and bootleg absinthe who is now the Master Distiller at TOAD, John Letts, the environmental archaeologist who discovered and started growing the ancient grains and Paul Pridham, designer and builder of the stunning copper stills used to distil TOAD’s spirits. Paul is a steam boiler specialist and was responsible for the restoration of the Flying Scotsman’s boiler. Building Nautilus and Nemo, the two stills, was an entirely new challenge that he relished.

Locating the new distillery in a 18th-century threshing barn has a poetic symmetry to it, by allowing a neglected building to come back to life for a career not too far removed from its original use. You can visit the distillery Monday to Saturday at 11am and 1pm, Sundays 2pm and 4pm on a 45-minute tour that costs £20 per person or for something really special do the Founders Tour on a Saturday at 3pm where you’ll get the tour and a very good tasting session for £50. Just remember to take the bus or book a taxi! Booking details are on the TOAD website.

Alternatively, you can win tickets from us…..

Simply tell us in the comments section below who you would take and why you want to go. Best two answers win a pair of tour tickets each.

The competition closes in one week, at midnight on 26th October, with prize winners notified in the comments section. Good luck!

**COMPETITION WINNERS**

We had some brilliant comments in response to the giveaway, but our favourites who will be each winning two tickets to tour TOAD were:

Adil – “I’d take my wife, it would be a get out of jail for HER not getting me an anniversary present!!”

Michelle – “Would love to go with my hubby! Basically so we can escape from our two adorable monsters for a while and have some us time!! oh and try some amazing gin!”

Both very familiar situations and hopefully the tickets will help! Congratulations both 😀

19th October 2017 at 1:33 pm

I’d take my husband he loves to see the engineering side of distilleries and I just love to drink it

19th October 2017 at 1:55 pm

I’d take my wife, it would be a get out of jail for HER not getting me an anniversary present!!

1st November 2017 at 10:17 am

Congratulations Adil, we have a pair of tickets for you and hope it gets her out of jail! 😀 Please email Jacqui at [email protected] so we can organise your tickets.

19th October 2017 at 2:49 pm

I’d take my sister as she loves gin

19th October 2017 at 3:05 pm

I would take my best friend.. because she brings me joy.. so I think it’s only fair I return the favour.. gin = Joy 😉

19th October 2017 at 4:52 pm

I’d wanted to get tour tickets for two friends who got married in August, but TOAD didn’t have them printed in time. I had to buy them the gin instead.

19th October 2017 at 5:33 pm

If I could, I’d take Vesper Lynd from Casino Royale, just so I could be like James Bond and create the cocktail named for her. But instead, I’ll take my wife and treat her to a cocktail named for her. She’s my Vesper!

19th October 2017 at 6:30 pm

I’d take my boyfriend Matt as we’re both drinking nerds and would love some more facts… and to drink the Gin

19th October 2017 at 6:38 pm

Two of my friends are gin fiends. I’d give them the tickets to go have a good time 🙂

19th October 2017 at 8:01 pm

Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, Toad seems the best! I’d take the person I know who most resembles Humphrey Bogart.

19th October 2017 at 8:16 pm

Having recently moved to Oxford and being a gin-lover, I’d take my new fellow Oxford denizen, gin-loving friend to bond over a tour, facts and a tiny tipple or 2…

19th October 2017 at 9:18 pm

I’d take my partner Gareth as a reward for studying for his final professional architecture qualification this year after ten years of hard graft! We’d both toast to the future with a dry gin martini with a twist 😉 and marvel at the copper stills and scent of delicious aromatics!

19th October 2017 at 9:56 pm

My fiancee is a gin fiend. We’ve been to distilleries up and down the country, but as Oxford locals, we’d love to check out this one in our backyard!

19th October 2017 at 10:54 pm

I’d take a T-totaller so I could have their drinks as well as mine. I have a very special relationship with gin, we look after each other. Ah, don’t know any t-totallers! Problem!!

20th October 2017 at 6:35 am

I’d take my partner and our two friends. They’ve just got engaged and are taking a year out to travel the world next year, so I need to make the most of them before they leave!

20th October 2017 at 10:48 am

I’d like to take my Girlfriend Tracey as her new year resolution for 2017 was to enjoy gin. I know she will love your product and can then tick another artisan gin off her list.

20th October 2017 at 11:08 am

I’d give the tickets to my best friend and her husband. They both love Gin, and need some more after drinking the big bottle I got her for her birthday in record time!

20th October 2017 at 1:06 pm

I would take my fiance. We have both worked in hospitality in Oxford for a long time – so it’s great to see an amazing product that is truly homegrown, have such a great impact on the local industry. Would LOVE to see its birthplace 🙂

20th October 2017 at 1:07 pm

I would have to take my boyfriend who is a beer lover and bring him over to the gin side!

20th October 2017 at 1:25 pm

I’d beg you for four tickets so Mr Toad could take Mole, Rat and Mr Badger and show them “his” new distillery. Four Oxford legends taking a tour round what will hopefully become Oxford’s next legendary venue!

20th October 2017 at 2:08 pm

I’d like to take my girlfriend. We are both huge fans of TOADs and distilled beverages. We met a green TOAD on a recent holiday and fell in love with it. We have a secret #TOAD gang-sign type thing that we’d be happy to demonstrate whilst drinking gin. Plus I live just down the road so there will be no danger of drink-driving.

20th October 2017 at 4:16 pm

I would bring my partner in (gin) crime Paul Canning. He is responsible for introducing me to the truly amazing world of gin, and now I am hooked!! Love the TOAD story, local inspired SME producer. I would love to get to know you more and hopefully if I am lucky enough to buy a share, continue with you on your amazing gin journey!! xx

20th October 2017 at 5:54 pm

Would love to go with my hubby! Basically so we can escape from our two adorable monsters for a while and have some us time!! oh and try some amazing gin!

1st November 2017 at 10:21 am

Congratulations Michelle, how could we not give you a pair of tickets for that?! I’m afraid there’s no babysitter included, but we hope you enjoy the visit 🙂 Please email Jacqui at [email protected] so we can organise your tickets.

20th October 2017 at 6:58 pm

I will take my two mates Alka and Seltzer. I will need their support afterwards.

21st October 2017 at 4:56 pm

I hate gin, Yes I do If only that was true , I’d take my mate Maggie She will do We could drink the nite away And raise a glass to TOAD along the way

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The Sky Wave Distilling Co.

Opening Times

Distillery Tour with Curated Gin Tasting: Fridays 4pm – 5.15pm Saturdays 12.30pm – 1.45pm and 4pm – 5.15pm Last Sunday in the month 3pm – 4.15pm

Sky Wave Distillery Tour with Curated Gin Tasting at Bicester Heritage .

“See the Magic, Hear the Stories, Drink The Gin”

Rated 5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor and 4.9 on Trust Pilot

Winner of the 2023 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award, now two years in a row!

Immerse yourself in Gin Heaven at The Sky Wave Distilling Co. – The Home of the World’s Best Contemporary Gin. Hear the stories and drink award-winning gin at the only distillery based on a former WW2 RAF base, now the beautiful Bicester Heritage, home of historic motoring.

The Sky Wave HQ is just 15 minutes by train from Oxford and 50 minutes from London and is open Friday and Saturday for intimate behind-the-scenes experiences. During the 75-minute event, your hosts will entertain and amaze you with the Sky Wave story, introduce you to their stills on which the seven award-winning gins are created and lead you through a tutored gin tasting. It’s gin heaven as it includes four complimentary G&T and a 10% discount to spend on the day, so you can take some of the Sky Wave experience home with you! Drivers packs are available for those kind souls who’ve offered to get everyone home safely.

The Sky Wave Distillery Tour is perfect for gin lovers so indulge yourself, your friends and family.

Private/ Corporate bookings are available. Minimum booking 10 guests, maximum 20. Bespoke events and dates are also available. Please call 01869 713813 to discuss your ideas.

Come and immerse yourself in The Spirit of Oxfordshire.

“A great way to spend an afternoon”

“ Our host was incredibly welcoming today and knowledgable. The tasting and tour was informative, enjoyable and friendly with no stuffiness! Thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent sampling the delicious gins. I will definitely be back! Thank you” – Hannah, Trust Pilot  March 2024

Sky Wave Distillery Experience:

Includes: 4 Gin and Tonics and 10% discount on purchases on the day Duration: 75 minutes Dates: Fridays 4pm – 5:15pm. Saturdays 12:30pm – 1:45pm and 4pm – 5:15pm. Last Sunday in the month 3pm – 4:15pm. Cost: £25 per person

Book tickets online

The Sky Wave Distilling Co. is easily accessible by train from London, Birmingham and Oxford. Bicester North and Bicester Village are just a 5 and 10 minute taxi ride away, respectively. Book via Alpha Cars on 01869 252525 or Bicester Cars 01869 247247

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Please find all the details to enable you to enjoy your visit here .

© Experience Oxfordshire 2024. All rights reserved. Website design by Technique Web .

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The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour

• Spirits tasting
• Entry/Admission - The Oxford Artisan Distillery
• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• The Oxford Artisan Distillery, Old Depot, South Park, Cheney Ln, Headington, Oxford OX3 7QJ, UK The distillery is 1.8 miles from the Oxford City Centre, at the top of South Park next to Oxford Brookes University, and easily accessible by bus
• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Children must be accompanied by an adult - children under 18 are free if accompanied by an adult
• Minimum age for tasting is 18 years (you may be asked to provide ID)
• Not recommended for pregnant travellers
• Most travellers can participate
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at The Oxford Artisan Distillery Old Depot, South Park, Cheney Ln, Headington, Oxford OX3 7QJ, UK The distillery is 1.8 miles from the Oxford City Centre, at the top of South Park next to Oxford Brookes University, and easily accessible by bus See address & details
• 1 The Oxford Artisan Distillery Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included • Tour starts in the Threshing Barn with an introduction to The Oxford Artisan Distillery, we cover our journey to launch and what makes us a unique grain-to-glass distillery. We will introduce our exclusive populations of heritage grain. • This is followed by the Distillery where we take you through our grain to bottle process and you get to see our unique stills Nautilus and Nemo. • Finally you finish back in the shop We include a number of tastings throughout the tour. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• MrsGandherboys 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lovely experience Brilliant tasting and tour. Tiny distillery but packed with charisma! Enjoyed listening to the information about the process and tasting the results. So glad we had walked! Read more Written 30 October 2023
• Jess S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent I went with my mum and two sisters. What a fantastic experience. It was really informative and interesting, we found out many things we didn't know. We also got to sample a variety of their homemade products. Would definitely recommend it. Read more Written 27 October 2023
• oliviaaQ1206RO 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A distillery I will certainly be visiting again! There are different alcohol tours, so whisky tour next! The gin, whisky and vodka all tasted absolutely amazing! They are all Oxford-grown and made, and the team at the distillery were both incredibly friendly and informative; I learned a lot from my experience there. Plus, there were dogs to play with which was a very nice surprise!! And finally, the venue was so gorgeous! Looking forward to coming back again :) Read more Written 25 October 2023
• MHMOM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A fabulous gin and whiskey distillery tour Our family (husband, wife and two daughters in their mid-20s) wanted to tour a gin distillery in either London or Oxfordshire. My initial inclination was to book one of the famous London locales but as it worked out for our schedule, the Oxford Artisan Distillery worked best, and I’m so glad it did. It’s one of the few distillers anywhere to make gin every step of way from planting the grain through adding the botanicals; we learned so much about their sustainable practices and first rate products. If you’re interested in biodiversity and the environment you’ll love this visit. Gin isn’t even their primary product. They produce vodka (2x winner of world’s best vodka) and whiskey as well - whiskey is their primary product but you’ll learn why they also produce gin and vodka when you visit. Our host Sarah was terrific - knowledgeable and engaging. Our visit included a gin and tonic plus tastings of one vodka, two gins and two whiskeys. It’s an easy bus ride + short walk from Oxford City Centre for those of us who haven’t rented a car. Loved the visit! Read more Written 3 May 2023
• GrandTour00008772458 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Whiskey Tour Really enjoyed our whiskey tour. Carmen really knew her stuff and was very enthusiastic. The history of the distillery was very interesting and very different to the more commercial tours in the bigger distilleries. And the whiskey tasted great too! Read more Written 30 April 2023
• E2566QTcaitlins 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing time Tried the best vodka I’ve ever had! Such a nice atmosphere and beautiful grounds. Richard and Carmen were the best hosts and made us feel so comfortable! Read more Written 19 April 2023
• N2656XAalexh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Distillery Tour We had an excellent tour. Sarah was a great distillery guide, giving us a thorough history of the distillery whilst making the tour fun and interesting. Would highly recommend. Read more Written 15 April 2023
• GavinDBishop 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Superb Tour and tasting Just did the Whiskey tour with Richard - absolutely fascinating!. Added bonus was a plethora of really delicious, original tasting whiskeys. Read more Written 7 April 2023
• 32maxw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great fun and great tasting session A great tour and so informative, learned a lot about the grain side of things as well as some history and distilling. Mitchell pitched it at a great level and did great on the tour. Would recommend to anyone! Read more Written 1 April 2023
• deniskie 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sat aft fun! Go! Highly recommended! Our tour guide was a great host, v funny and superb storyteller (my memory is somewhat hazy for whatever reason but I believe his name was Mike). We learnt a lot about their processes as well as history from the area. Read more Written 15 March 2023
• Sarah F 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic tour and information Great tour. We have done quite a few gin distillery tours over the years but this was so good. The information regarding rye and farming etc was totally eye opening and really interesting. Gins tasted great too. Thoroughly recommend. Read more Written 19 February 2023
• jane b 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Experience Did this tour with friends on Saturday 11th February Young lady who was giving us the history of the Distillery made it so interesting very informative. Not at all dull they are so passionate about the work they are doing Making a product to be proud of They deserve to be successful Tasters are not to be missed best to have a designated driver This was part of a very enjoyable Christmas present Would highly recommend this tour Read more Written 13 February 2023
• Michael K 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fascinating explanation of distilling with local rye and generous tasting We were given a distillery tour for two as a gift. As it happened (it was a wet January day) we were the only people on the tour, housed in an old barn, so had personal attention! The guide explained the concept behind the enterprise, which is based on research into crop history by examining the underlying straw on timbered roofs. The base layer will often have been there since pre-Agricultural Revolution times and therefore give an indication of the type of grain that was grown then. A field has been planted with rye of this type and it is allowed to grow naturally. The product is then distilled in one of the specially-built stills here and can subsequently be processed in different ways to yield gin, whisky or vodka. The ethos is very much working with nature in a traditional way and the explanation was most interesting. We were given generous tasters of several of the different gins produced by the distillery, which acquire their different tastes according to which botanicals are added (from the university's Botanical Gardens). The distillery is still experimenting with the whisky to find the most acceptable product. Important tip; don't drive here! The amount of gin we were given (or could have consumed had we been greedy) was greater than the amount of wine you get on most wine tastings! Very good value, then. Read more Written 8 February 2023
• Giubs88 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Independent distillery doing things a little differently Really interesting as different to most distilleries, particularly how they are farming, and the different drinks they are making. I was the only person on the tour which I kind of liked but sure it would be good even with a group. My guide Carmen was really knowledgeable about all the aspects of the distillery and all the farming behind it which really makes this distillery stand out Read more Written 8 December 2022
• Kaka-0972 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Really enjoyed the tour, carmen was very informative and funny, thoroughly good experience all round And the gin is exceptional Read more Written 4 December 2022

More to explore in Oxford

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The Oxford Artisan Distillery Tour provided by The Oxford Artisan Distillery

The educated choice

Welcome to the art of distillation

A choice of two OX Gins experiences; A tour of our distillery and gin tasting or Gin School Experience where you take control of a copper alembic still and create your very own Gin.

A star in the making

Pretty in pink

One of your five-a-day

A floral navy strength gin

Makers original

077239 15767

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The last order date for Christmas is 20th December 2023

To all of our customers, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and see you in early 2024.

Welcome to Oxford’s NEW Gin Club

A wonderful opportunity to sample so many fantastic local, national and international gins…..