Yes. Our spirits make thoughtful gifts for gin enthusiasts, cocktail lovers and those who appreciate independent British craftsmanship.

Each bottle is produced in small batches on the Wiltshire Downs and supports conservation projects behind the scenes, from helping restore juniper to supporting the recovery of the Great Bustard. It is a gift that gives back long after the bottle is opened.

Presented in distinctive packaging and inspired by the landscape around us, our spirits are ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, thank you gifts and special occasions. If you are unsure which bottle to choose, we are always happy to help you find the perfect gift.

• Technically? One.
• Emotionally? All of us including the still, the gin elves (always on strike), and occasionally the post lady when she stays for a chat.
• It’s a small but mighty crew fueled by caffeine, botanicals, and blind optimism.

Send the bottle back to us using 'FREE POST DOWNTON DISTILLERY.' Please ensure the bottle is protected.

Most gin brands focus on what goes into the bottle. We focus on what happens before and after it.

Every spirit is distilled in small batches on the Wiltshire Downs, inspired by the landscape, wildlife and stories that surround us. We grow and trial botanicals at the distillery, work with local growers and producers, and create spirits that reflect a genuine sense of place.

Our commitment extends beyond the still. Through our Bottle for Life refill programme, use of recycled packaging, renewable energy and the transformation of surplus fruit and vineyard by-products into new spirits, we challenge traditional wasteful production methods.

Many of our spirits directly support conservation projects. Great Bustard Gin helps fund the recovery of one of Britain's rarest birds, while proceeds from Explorer's Gin have helped establish new juniper groves across the Wiltshire Downs.

We are not trying to be the biggest distillery. We are building a distillery that proves exceptional spirits, conservation and circular thinking can work together. Every bottle is part of that journey.

All of our gins can be enjoyed year-round, whether in a classic G&T, a simple serve, or one of the many cocktails we share throughout the year.

If you prefer a lighter, easy-drinking gin, start with Great Bustard Gin. For greater complexity and depth, choose Explorer's Gin. If Martinis are your drink of choice, Great Bustard Flight Strength delivers exceptional flavour and intensity.

Looking for something different? Our Autumnal Great Bustard Gin is equally at home served neat over ice, with tonic, or as a seasonal alternative to a classic Pimm's.

Large supermarket brands produce millions of bottles every year. We do not.

Every spirit is distilled in small batches on the Wiltshire Downs using carefully selected botanicals, many sourced locally wherever possible. Our bespoke bottles, premium ingredients and small-scale production cost significantly more than mass-produced alternatives.

We also invest in renewable energy, refill systems and conservation projects that help protect the landscape that inspires our spirits.

When you buy from Downton Distillery, you are paying for quality, provenance and purpose, not mass production.

• One minute you're the darling of the shelf, the next you're replaced by a novelty vodka with glitter in it. That's retail. Tastes shift, trends change, and shelf space is always in demand.
• If your favourite local shop has stopped stocking our spirits, don’t panic. It’s not a breakup, just a temporary reshuffle.
• Feel free to give them a nudge with a friendly, “Oi, where’s the Downton gin?” We’re always open to a reunion.

• Can’t find a date that works? Don’t panic, just drop us a line at info@downtondistillery.com and we’ll help you find one that does.

• You purchase directly from us.
• Please contact us at info@downtondistillery.com or call 07825 528255 if you would like to come up.
• This allows us to ensure someone will be at the distillery and that you have not wasted a journey.

• Tours can be booked directly through our store or via the calendar of events.
• New dates are always being added to the calendar.
• If a date is not showing, or you’d like to arrange a private group or bespoke experience, just get in touch at info@downtondistillery.com
• We are always happy to tailor something special.

Short Tours:

• 2 hours.
• £30 per person
• Minimum 4 people. Maximum 12 people.

Long Tours:

• 4 hours.
• £50 per person
• Minimum 4 people. Maximum 12 people.

Gin Master Class

• 4 hours.
• £150 per still (two)
• Minimum 2 people. Maximum 4 people.

• Yes, free parking is available on-site.
• The final stretch is a farm track, so drive slowly and enjoy the view.

• Tours run during the warmer months, spring through to early autumn.
• The distillery gets a bit too brisk in winter (think icebox, not ice bucket), so we pause tours until things warm up again.
• If in doubt, just ask James May, he’ll tell you exactly how cold it gets up here!

• You’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, learn about our distillation process, botanicals, and sustainability efforts and, of course, there will be lots of tasting involved.
• Each tour will be different according to other experiences you may have had at other distilleries.
• We want you to learn something new, whilst making it fun.

• We’re nestled on the beautiful Wiltshire Downs, just outside the village of Downton at the top of Wick Lane at Botley Farm.
• Directions and parking details are provided upon booking.

• The distillery is part working farm and part gin haven.
• So we recommend sensible shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

• Where possible, yes.
• Some of them grow outside the distillery or within the local area of the distillery (vineyard, walnut trees and fig trees).
• Others are sourced from local suppliers.
• Sadly spices cannot be grown locally but come from reputable suppliers.
• Our Marc uses locally grown grapes from Domaine Hugo, our home.
• Our Pommeau and Eau de Vie use apples grown by Cranborne Chase Cider.
• Our walnuts are sourced outside the distillery and from Cranborne Chase.
• Our damsons are also sourced locally within Cranborne Chase.

• All of our gins are vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
• We don’t use any animal products in our distillation or bottling process.

• Yes! Our refill packs are designed to reduce waste and help you reuse your original bottle. They’re made from recyclable materials and fit through most letterboxes for easy delivery.
• Send them back to us using the 'Freepost Service.'
• All returned refills are then reused, which allows us to lower the cost to you.
• We do not offer this service for our Hazelnut Vodka or Nocino.

• Explorer's Gin contains Pink Pepper and Ruby Grapefruit.
• Hazelnut Vodka contains hazelnuts.
• Nocino contains walnuts.

• All refills contain 700 ml of spirit.
• We do not offer our Flight Strength Gin as a refill yet. As they contain 500 ml.

• Then you’d better cosy up to our newsletter, it's the only place they live. No codes hidden under bottle caps or whispered in the wind… just good old-fashioned newsletters.
  
  

We're often asked if we can ship our spirits to the United States.

The simple answer is that we'd love to. Unfortunately, exporting alcohol to the USA involves far more than posting a parcel.

Every shipment must meet strict federal regulations, including FDA and TTB requirements, alongside importer licences, customs paperwork and state-specific alcohol laws.

The cost of compliance, specialist shipping, duties and taxes means sending individual bottles simply isn't practical.

As a small independent distillery, we'd rather invest in making exceptional spirits than pass those costs on to our customers.

We are looking to find the right distribution partner in the future so our American friends can enjoy Downton Distillery more easily.

We're happy to ship our spirits across much of the European Union. As alcohol is an excise product, every shipment requires customs paperwork and export documentation before it leaves the UK.

Depending on your country, your order may also be subject to local VAT, import duty, excise duty and customs handling charges, which are collected by your local customs authority.

While we take care of the export paperwork, these additional charges and specialist courier requirements mean shipping is unfortunately more expensive than domestic UK delivery.

• Messages or notes can be added to an order.
• At the bottom right of the shopping basket 'Add to order note' can be found.
• It sits above the order value and 'continue to checkout' button.
• If you would like us to include a handwritten message with your order, we are happy to arrange this.
• We simply ask for a small donation to support the time and care involved, this can be done at checkout.

• Yes, once your order has shipped, you’ll receive a tracking link via email.
• If you haven’t received it or have any issues, just get in touch.

• If you’re nearby and would prefer to collect from the distillery, select “local pickup” at checkout.
• We will contact you to organise a collection time.

• Yes! You can add a gift note at checkout, and we’ll handwrite it for that extra personal touch.
• In return, we simply ask you to consider making a small donation to either the Great Bustard Group or our Rewilding Juniper Fund, two causes close to our heart.
• For corporate or bespoke gifting, just drop us a line. We’d be delighted to help.

• You can order directly through our website.
• Simply select your chosen spirit, add to your basket, and follow the checkout steps.
• If you’re local, you can also arrange to collect from the distillery.
• Select this option at checkout.

• We love a good refill and we love reusing even more.
• Every refill pack comes with a prepaid returns label.
• Just stick it over your address label and pop it back in the post.
• No charge, no fuss.
• Got empty bottles? Wrap them up, pop them in a box, and write “Freepost Downton Distillery” on the front.
• We'll clean them, refill them, and send them back into circulation. Less waste, more taste.

• All orders are shipped using Royal Mail’s new Signed and Tracked 24 or 48-hour service.
• For orders of more than two bottles, we use FedEx to ensure safe and timely delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.

• If your order hasn’t been dispatched yet, we’ll do our best to amend it.
• Email us at info@downtondistillery.com as soon as possible with your order number and the correction needed.

• First, check your tracking email to see where your parcel is, it’s often the quickest way to get an update.
• If it still hasn’t arrived after 5 working days, please get in touch and we’ll look into it straight away.
• Royal Mail and FedEx should leave a "missed you" card if they’ve attempted delivery.
• They’ll try up to three times before holding your parcel at the nearest depot or sorting office for collection.
• If it’s not collected in time, the parcel will be returned to us, but don’t worry, we’ll help get it back to you.

We’re so sorry to hear that! While we take great care in packing every order, accidents can occasionally happen in transit. If your order arrives damaged, please follow these steps:

• Refuse to sign for the goods when delivered.
• Take an image with the delivery person of the damaged item(s) and the packaging as soon as possible.
• Email us at info@downtondistillery.com within 48 hours of the attempted delivery.
• Be sure to include your order number, a brief description of the issue, and the photos.
• We’ll review the case and arrange a replacement or refund promptly, depending on your preference.
  

Your satisfaction (and a full bottle) matters to us, so we’ll sort it quickly and with care.

• Yes, through our refill model, local ingredient sourcing, and small-batch production, we aim to reduce waste and close resource loops wherever possible.
• Our pallets are made into furniture through Mule Bar, or a reused by the winery.
• Spent botanicals are either used to make jams or composted.
• Our water comes from our own spring and goes back through our seep.

• Explorer's Gin uses 42% recycled glass
• Great Bustard uses 54% recycled glass
• GB Flight Strength uses 100% recycled glass
• All vodka bottles use 100% recycled glass
• Our refills use recycled materials.

• Do not buy a glass bottle!
• Instead, purchase a refill (cheaper) and use that beautiful decanter!

• By choosing refill packs, recycling your packaging, and spreading the word about our conservation partners like the Great Bustard Group and the Rewilding Juniper Fund, you become part of the change with every sip.

• Our refill packs allow customers to reuse their existing bottles, reducing glass waste.
• They’re recyclable and fit through standard letterboxes, making it easier to enjoy gin with a lighter footprint.
• You send them back to us, using our Freepost service and we reuse them.

Don’t bin your bottle. Refill it instead!

You can top up your Downton Distillery bottle at the following refill locations:

• Downton Brewery (Downton Industrial Estate).
  
• Salisbury - Regent Tailoring (73 New Street).
  
• Old Sarum - Dark Revolution Brewery.
  
• Devizes - Healthy Living.

Refilling helps reduce waste and keeps the spirit flowing, cheers to that!

• We take a holistic approach from refillable packaging and recycled glass bottles to supporting local biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions.
• Our operational waste is also put into a circular economy, with pallets turned into furniture and botanicals used to make jams or compost.
• Every decision is made with environmental impact in mind.

• Exactly that. We’ve selected botanicals that mirror parts of the Great Bustard’s natural foraging diet, including herbs and plants found on the Downs, giving the gin a truly local and wild character.
• These include yarrow, wild rocket, dandelion leaf, red clover and alfalfa.
• Alfalfa is known as luceren, its the pea sprouts you find in your salad bags.

• Our tours often include a visit to the juniper grove at the distillery.
• To see the bustards in the wild, you can book a guided tour with the Great Bustard Group.
• It’s a rare and unforgettable experience.

• By simply buying a bottle, using our refill packs, or donating directly to the Great Bustard Group or Rewilding Juniper Fund.
• You’re not just enjoying gin, you’re helping protect the wild beauty of Wiltshire and leaving a legacy for the future.
• If you are a landowner and would like to help with either the Great Bustard or Rewilding Juniper projects, please contact us at info@downtondistillery.com.

• We focus on south-facing chalk rich soils with good drainage, creating ideal conditions for juniper to thrive.
• Each site is carefully assessed to support long-term growth and biodiversity, often surrounded by wildflowers.
• This is why the vineyard is ideal for these plants.

• The Great Bustard is one of the world’s heaviest flying birds and once roamed the Wiltshire Downs.
• Declared extinct in the UK by the early 1800s, it’s now making a remarkable comeback thanks to conservation efforts, led by the Great Bustard Group.
• In 2025, the wild Great Bustard population in Wiltshire reached 65 birds, including 13 chicks recorded during the breeding season.
• They are graceful, highly social and a Wiltshire icon, it’s the perfect symbol for our gin with purpose.

• You can book tours through the Great Bustard Group.
• Tours last 2 hours and cost £25.
• We highly recommend seeing them, more so if you catch them flying.
• The charity also has a shop at Enford Hall.
• You might also see Gertrude, a lone female bustard, at Stonehenge.

• Juniper is a slow-growing and delicate plant, one that comes with both patience and a price.
• A single sapling can cost anywhere from £15 to £1,200 for a mature specimen.
• So far, we've established four juniper groves, each with around thirty plants.
• Our oldest and most established were rewilded this year at Old Compton, while two others grow along the boundaries of Botley Farm, surrounding the distillery.
• Just recently, we planted a new nursery of 29 saplings in the botanical garden. These will mature in safety before being reintroduced to the Downs.
• Unlike many crops, juniper cannot be cultivated or tamed. It must be left to grow wild, and sadly, not every plant survives.
• We're always on the lookout for new, protected spaces to re-establish groves, especially away from grazing animals, which can undo years of growth in a single nibble.
• If you would like to help us, please contact us at info@downtondistillery.com

• Juniper is a key botanical in gin and a keystone species in chalk grassland ecosystems.
• Sadly, it’s in decline across the UK due to habitat loss and poor germination.
• We're working to rewild juniper on the Wiltshire Downs, planting saplings, protecting biodiversity, and restoring native flavour to the land.