Tarquin's Gin Masterclass

Hosted in our Gin Schools in the beautiful seaside towns of Padstow and St Ives, in the Tarquin’s Gin Masterclass, you’ll distill your very own gin in a classic copper pot still, using whichever botanicals you love the most. Choose from over 50 of
the world’s favourite botanicals and even bring your very own specialist botanical for your own personal panache!

THE GIN SCHOOL INCLUDES:

Tarquin’s Gin and Tonics

Tarquin’s Tasters

70cl custom-made gin to take home

An introduction to Tarquin’s process and experiments

An array of local, familiar and exotic botanicals for you to choose from to make your own gin in a mini copper pot still

BYOB – Bring your own botanical! If you have something special, feel free to bring along something you’ve grown in the garden, or a favourite spice from your travels

Label, Wax and Sign your own bottle with your individual tasting notes

Our Copper Stills are available to book for one or for two to share. If you select a Copper Still for two, you will share the 70cl bottle of gin you create.

£5 off to spend in the Tarquin's shop on the day of your Gin School

Approximate school runtime 2 hours to 2.5 hours

Over 18’s only. We operate a challenge 25 policy so may ask for proof of age on arrival. Please get in touch if you have any access requirements.

Are you the designated driver or choosing not to drink? No worries, you’ll be offered a Tarquin’s Non-Alcoholic Spirit G&T to enjoy on arrival!

1 person per booking – 1 person per still

Admission:
£85 per person

TOUR DAYS AND TIMES

Padstow

Jan – June – Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 11am

July – December – Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 11am

 

St Ives

Jan – June – Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 11am

July – December – Thursday,
Friday & Saturday at 11am

(Times are subject to change. Please select a date to find available times)

What you'll experience

Tarquin set up the distillery a decade ago with the dream of distilling a few bottles in the morning then going surfing in the afternoon. With our new Gin
Schools that is now a reality for everyone - you can go through the same process as Tarquin in just a couple of hours! We cannot wait to see what you
create!

Running time: Approx 2.5hours.

Cost: £85 per person

Over 18’s only. We operate a challenge 25 policy so may ask for proof of age on arrival. Please get in touch if you have any access requirements. A soft drink option will be made available on arrival for those not drinking.

How To Get Here

Padstow - 10 minutes from our Distillery, the harbour town of Padstow is our home and one of the most spectacular places to eat and drink in Cornwall, our gin school and shop is set back just behind the harbour.

St Ives – one of the most beautiful historical towns in Cornwall, a favourite for
tourists and locals alike, our gin school and shop is neatly tucked along the beautiful fore street running parallel to the harbour front.

Important!

First and foremost we’d like to stress the importance we place on responsible drinking. Samples will be poured in moderation - to be enjoyed and savoured. Therefore, if you’re making your own way to and from our gin schools, please ensure that you have a designated driver organised. Thank you for respecting this.

Please note:

We are not able to accommodate children, babies or canines.

Being a working distillery and to ensure the safety of all visitors regarding allergens, we kindly ask that no food be brought to our experiences.

If you have additional requirements such as the need for wheelchair access, please email us in advance tours@southwesterndistillery.com, this is particularly important at St Ives where Tarquin's Gin School is hosted upstairs.

Addresses

Padstow Gin School and Shop:

 2-4 Lanadwell St, Padstow PL28 8AN

 

St Ives Gin School and Shop:

14 Fore Street, St Ives, TR26 1AB

 

Parking: 

Neither of our locations has designated parking but there are plenty of pay and display locations within walking distance.

Due to limited onsite facilities, try and avoid arriving more than 15 minutes early.

Local Taxi Companies

Why not leave the car at home and let someone else play designated driver. Then everyone can safely have a drink and we have no worries!

We recommend

St.Columb Cars 01637 226621 ST.COLUMB

Newquay Surf Cabs 07305 466905. NEWQUAY

A2B Taxis Newquay 01637 877777. NEWQUAY

123 Taxis. 01637 851234. NEWQUAY

1011 Taxis. 01637 871011. NEWQUAY

Wadebridge Taxis. 01208 812725. WADEBRIDGE

Midas Taxis. 01208 812345. WADEBRIDGE

Petroc Cabs. 07814342398. PADSTOW

PHD Taxis. 07494 073111. PADSTOW

Parnells Taxis Ltd. 01208 75000. BODMIN

Frequently Asked Questions

  • It is £85 per person for the gin school
  • Yes of course, select 'buy as a voucher' in our booking widget to receive a voucher code by email.
  • There are lots of incredible hotels, AirBnBs and campsites in and around both Padstow and St Ives.
  • We do not have any designated parking at either Padstow or St Ives Gin Schools but both are within a short walking distance to a number of public carparks.
  • St.Columb Cars 01637 226621 ST.COLUMB Newquay Surf Cabs 07305 466905. NEWQUAY A2B Taxis Newquay 01637 877777. NEWQUAY 123 Taxis. 01637 851234. NEWQUAY 1011 Taxis. 01637 871011. NEWQUAY Wadebridge Taxis. 01208 812725. WADEBRIDGE Midas Taxis. 01208 812345. WADEBRIDGE Petroc Cabs. 07814342398. PADSTOW PHD Taxis. 07494 073111. PADSTOW Parnells Taxis Ltd. 01208 75000. BODMIN
  • Yes of course, you can edit your booking via the 'Manage my Booking' link on your confirmation email. Alternatively, please email tours@southwesterndistillery.com and we will try to find you another suitable time.
  • Both of our Gin Schools are located in our Gin Shops so you're more than welcome to pop in to meet our lovely team, sample some gin and stock up on your favourites.
  • Unfortunately we cannot accommodate babies, children or animals at the Gin Schools.
  • Yes, we can issue refunds for any bookings of up to 4, but we will need a week's notice, otherwise you will be charged, please email tours@southwesterndistillery.com with your booking details.
  • Unfortunately not, but for any large bookings please email tours@southwesterndistillery.com
  • No but as we're in the centre of both Padstow and St Ives there are plenty of food options for all tastes and budgets nearby.
  • Generally we are not able to accommodate more than the advertised number of spaces, but please email tours@southwesterndistillery.com to check.
  • Yes but only if you're not intending to drink, owing to The Highway Code (rule 68) you would not be able to cycle after this experience. We would recommend booking a local taxi company.
  • No, sorry, all bookings are for single attendees and you have your own dedicated still, this is for safety and quality purposes, thanks for understanding.

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