St. Giles Gin, Norwich Travel Guide

St. Giles Gin Distillery, officially Norwich Dry Gin Company Ltd., was established in 2017 by professional diver Simon Melton and his wife Alison. Inspired by gins tasted worldwide during his diving career, Simon aimed to create a premium spirit with luxurious smoothness and complex botanicals. The name honors Norwich's historic St. Giles Street, where the family has roots and links to the city's distilling past, echoing London's infamous 18th-century gin district.

Located on North Walsham Road in rural Norwich (NR12 7BG), the distillery occupies a picturesque timber-clad barn next to the family home. At its heart is Anna, a bespoke 400L copper pot still from Germany, featuring a triple distillation column, botanical basket, and advanced condensing tower. Head distiller Pete Margree oversees slow, meticulous distillation to preserve delicate flavors. Small-batch production ensures consistency, blending global botanicals like sea kelp, samphire, and local Norfolk raspberries with precision.

The lineup includes the flagship St. Giles Gin (Signature), a velvety smooth classic; Divers' Edition (navy strength); Raspberry, Rhubarb & Ginger; and Mandarin & Passion Fruit Gin. Each boasts unique character—bright fruit notes, sumptuous depth—while sharing an unmistakable delicacy ideal for tonics, cocktails, or sipping neat. Over 100 trials refined recipes prioritizing balance, strength, and clarity.

Gin lovers enjoy 2-hour tours and hands-on classes using mini copper pot stills. Guests tour the facility, distill their own gin, name it, bottle, label, and taste the range. Pete guides through the process, sharing insights into botanicals and techniques. These intimate sessions highlight the family-run operation's passion.

Rooted in Norfolk's big skies and coastlines, St. Giles celebrates local ingredients amid quiet countryside. Contact +44 1603 737460 or visit for bookings. An essential stop for spirit explorers near Norwich.