The Lakes Distillery

Gin and whisky production in the heart of Cumbria - that's what you get at The Lakes Distillery, tucked away near Wigton. The distillery itself is housed in a working facility where you can watch the entire process from grain to bottle, which is genuinely interesting if you're the type who actually wants to understand how spirits are made rather than just drink them.

The tour takes you through their copper stills and aging rooms, and the staff know their stuff - they're not just reading from a script. You'll taste what they've produced at the end, which makes the whole thing feel worthwhile. Allow a good couple of hours if you're doing the full experience, though you can pop in and out of the visitor space more quickly if time's tight.

This works brilliantly as part of a wider Lake District park holiday. Wigton itself is small and honest - not one of those tourist-trap towns - and you're close enough to the actual lakes for proper walks without being in the thick of it. The nearby caravan parks like Skiddaw View and Forest Views are reasonable bases from which to explore. The distillery is worth a morning or afternoon visit if you're camping locally, particularly if you've got teenagers or proper booze enthusiasts in the group. Younger kids might find it a bit dull unless they're genuinely curious about the process.

It's a solid addition to a Cumbrian trip rather than a reason to come on its own, but for what it is, it does the job well.