THE DOWNS JOURNAL | DOWNTON DISTILLERY

Discover bergamot, Monarda didyma, in the Downton Distillery garden. Grown beside our juniper and salvia, its scarlet flowers attract bees and hawk moths, while its aromatic leaves have a traditional...

Small scabious is a native chalk grassland wildflower that blooms into autumn. We do not use it in our spirits, but grow it to support bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Ivy bees are now active across our gardens, emerging as ivy begins to flower. Often mistaken for honey bees, these striking autumn visitors are solitary pollinators. Each female creates her...

One of Britain’s smallest birds, the Firecrest is a remarkable woodland resident. Discover why encounters with this tiny, fiery-crowned bird are particularly special on the Wiltshire Downs.

A rare Goat Moth caterpillar was recently spotted on the Downs. This extraordinary wood-feeding larva can live inside a tree for up to five years before emerging to pupate. Its...

Discover how locally foraged rosehips from Salisbury Plain bring bright fruit, gentle floral notes and a dry finish to two Downton Distillery gins.

Wormwood is one of Europe’s great bitter herbs. We grow its silver-green leaves in the distillery garden, where its powerful aroma helps deter deer from more vulnerable plants. In spirits...

Britain’s dawn chorus is growing quieter. Inspired by a recent Guardian investigation, we explore what birdsong reveals about the health of our countryside, the species recorded at Downton Distillery, and...

Harvesting Angelica. Capturing the aromatic seeds that bring depth, structure and character to every bottle of Explorer's Gin.

Discover Angelica, one of the most important botanicals in gin making. Explore how its roots and seeds bring structure, depth and complexity to our spirits, while supporting wildlife, carrying a...

Borage is a versatile botanical used in distilling for its fresh, cucumber-like flavour and subtle floral notes. It enhances spirits, elevates cocktails, and supports pollinators. With roots in herbal medicine,...

Before work starts, take 10 minutes to listen to the world around you. The distillery garden is home to a new ecosystem and it is magical to be part of...

Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is a reliable nectar source that supports bees, including solitary and mining species like Andrena. Its long flowering period, open blooms, and high nectar content make it...

The oil beetle is a rare, flightless insect found on chalk downland. Its unusual life cycle depends entirely on solitary bees. Slow moving and striking in appearance, it signals a...

Lovage is one of the distillery garden’s most powerful botanicals. Its deep savoury aroma lifts food, strengthens spirits, and supports digestion. Used since Roman times, this tall herb delivers intense...

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). Soft pink blooms, rich mucilage, pollinator friendly, resilient, and quietly one of the garden’s most useful plants.

Valerian is one of Europe’s most powerful medicinal plants. Grown in our distillery garden, its roots, flowers, and aromatics support calm, sleep, and digestive health while adding depth and structure...

At Downton Distillery, we grow lemon verbena in our garden for use in Explorer’s Gin. Thriving in the sunshine and chalky soil of the Downs, it fills the air with...

In the distillery garden, mullein stands tall among the botanicals. Often dismissed as a weed, this versatile plant is packed with natural healing properties. From soothing respiratory teas to ear...

Downton Distillery’s rewilded grounds are home to five red-listed and seven amber-listed bird species, visiting with the changing seasons. This thriving habitat reflects our commitment to conservation, offering a unique...

Thank you to everyone who generously donated towards the creation of our new Juniper Grove. Yesterday, 30 young common juniper saplings arrived at the distillery. Their journey was slightly chaotic...

Last month marked an important milestone in our juniper rewilding project. Twenty-five homegrown juniper saplings left the safety of our botanical garden and began a new chapter on the Wiltshire...

Cranborne Chase is one of England's most remarkable landscapes and the place we are fortunate to call home. Spanning parts of Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire, this vast area of rolling...

The Great Bustard is one of Britain's most remarkable birds and one of the heaviest flying birds on Earth. Fossil evidence suggests that bustard-like birds have existed for millions of...