Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour: FAQs

By Matthew Pearson

The Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour is -

Do I get to drink some gin?

Woah, straight off the bat. Yeah, yes, you can. At the end.

OK, so what happens first?

First off is a self-discovery tour -

‘Self-discovery’? I don’t go to gin distilleries to discover myself.

It’s just the term they use...how is ‘self-guided’ for you?

Yeah, that I can deal with. Go ahead.

Thanks. So first off is a self-guided tour around a museum revealing the history of gin in London. You’ll find out how gin was first created and how international factors and bold personalities turned it into London’s drink of choice and the world’s most popular cocktail spirit. And, of course, you’ll learn about how Beefeater Gin came to be and how it set itself apart as an iconic London gin. And then -

I get to drink some gin.

Nope, not yet. You still haven’t had a distillery tour. This part is guided. You’ll head into the distillery and learn about the hand-crafted production process behind every bottle of Beefeater Gin. The Kennington distillery still hand-crafts their gin to a secret recipe that hasn’t changed since the 1800s. So there’s a lot of history in this place, and totally authentic London Dry Gin is all they produce. Your tour guide will also break down the different ingredients that go into their gin, and you’ll learn just what a sensory balancing act is going on inside it. And then -

I get to drink some gin?

Yes, you get to drink some gin. But this is a tutor-led comparative tasting session of gins from across the Beefeater range. You’ll be picking up on differences both clear and subtle, and learning all that gin-tasting vocab that will make you so fun to talk to at parties.

OK, I’ve finished that. My favourite was that one. And that one. And....that one.

Well, that’s all of them.

Yeah, I’m pretty keen on gin. Something of a connoisseur.

I see. Well, the bold finish to the Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour is a complimentary Beefeater Gin and Tonic. If you’re under 18, you get a complimentary soft drink.

Suckers.

Ok, yep, well that’s the main tour completed. Any questions?

Yes, can I bring my eight year old?

No, nine and up only.

How much does it cost?

Adult tickets (18 - 59 years old) cost £15. Children get in free, but remember that under 9s can’t come in. Concessions (Over 60s and Students) cost £13.50. But guess what...entry is included with the London Pass.

Is there a VIP experience available?

Yes. Hosted on select Fridays, VIP tours give you more info, more access and more gin. They last about two and a half hours and kick off at 10.30am. Children cannot join the tours. 18 and above only. It costs £40 and is not available with the London Pass.

How long does the Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour last?

Around an hour and a half.

What are the opening hours and tour times?

Monday to Saturday, the distillery is open to visitors from 10am until 6.30pm. Last entry is at 5pm. They are closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The first guided tour leaves at 11am, and they run on the hour, every hour. The last tour leaves at 5pm. On Bank Holidays, the distillery is open from 11am until 4.30pm, with the last admissions at 3pm.

Is the Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, it is fully wheelchair accessible.

Are there any multimedia aspects?

What a strange way of asking that question. Yes, there’s an app that you use on a complimentary hire iPad.

And how do I get to the Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour?

Tube is probably easiest. You’ll find two underground stations very close to the distillery. Oval on the Northern Line is around 10 minutes walk away. Vauxhall Underground Station is on the Victoria Line and is about 15 minutes walk away. You can also get mainline South West Train services into Vauxhall Station from across Surrey, Hampshire and the Greater London area. Bus-wise, you should check with Transport for London’s Journey Planner.

Is there a shop at the distillery?

Yes, right at the start.

Do they sell gin?

Strangely, no.

What?

Yes, of course they do. Little souvenirs and bottles of gin. You’ll love it. Fancy a drink out in the sunshine? Read our guide to London's best rooftop bars.

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Things To Do In London With Teens

Aren't teenagers the best? Fickle, emotional, and one-track minded. A delight to be around, and never giving parents a second thought. Are your teenagers disappointed in you for literally no reason? Why not cheer them up in London? It's the most visited city on Earth, but don't tell your little 'individuals' that. Instead, wow them with lots of exciting things that'll make them forget about their phones for over 20 minutes! Whether you're visiting the capital, or you call it home, this list should help you stick it to your grumpy adolescent seed. Here are the best things to do in London with teens. LEGOLAND Windsor Younger teens will find lots to love about LEGOLAND Windsor. There are over 55 attractions available, though some are restricted for tiny people aged 2-12. But with the popularity of the recent LEGO movies, and the fact that the little bricks appeal to even the oldest of humanity, you're sure to turn that hormonal frown upside down. If only for a few hours. Highlights for them may well be: Apocalypseburg: A behind-the-scenes look at the films. They've got sets they've recreated from both movies, as well as large models of the main characters. LEGO City 4D: Officer in Pursuit, a cinematic ride that follows police officers through a crazy chase around time to foil a couple of cocky robbers. This being 4D, expect wind, water, and bubbles to immerse you in the experience. The Dragon: Which is a rollercoaster. You ride a dragon. Everyone loves rollercoasters. They will love this rollercoaster. Whatever you decide to do, you can plan the whole trip with the LEGOLAND app. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre No doubt your little - or not so little - whippersnappers have been studying Shakespeare at school. Well, why not show them where some of his greatest works came to life? This incredible reconstruction of the original Globe, which sadly burnt down about 3000 years ago (or 1613, if you want to be nitpicky), is so faithful to its predecessor that if Shakespeare could somehow time travel to today, he would be stunned. He would also be the first recorded time traveller and we'd need to have a serious talk about that. Teens young and old will be stunned too. By the guided tour, where they can learn about the lengths that architect Sam Wanamaker went to when rebuilding it in the 90's. They might even wanna-make-you (sorry) stay for a traditional performance. That means no mics, no electric lights, and no spotlights. At the very least, they won't be staring at their phones for a couple hours. Kew Gardens Teens love nature, right? Well, they love taking photos of it and posting it on social media, at least. And where better to get the sweet 'gram (Instagram, it's a thing don't worry) than at the largest collection of flora on earth. More than 60,000 of the green, CO2 breathing-beauties are housed in a multitude of giant glass greenhouses. And once they've taken a photo of all of them and tagged it with some deep thoughts about the fleetingness of love, let them climb the 20 metre Treetop Walkway. The view will actually take their breath away. And yours. You're not dead inside yet are you... are you? And when that's all done, sit them down for a picnic and embarrass them in front of all their peers. It's the only reason you take them out anyway. Unmissable for any parent taking their teens to London. London Bike Tour If your teenage children like riding bikes, then a London Bike Tour makes sense. There's a couple to choose from. The three-hour Classic Tour takes you through all of London's greatest hits. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Southbank, you name it, you'll see it. Alternatively, if you're feeling a little more alternative, check out the Love London Tour. You'll see the West End, Covent Garden, Chinatown, and many more. This one's a little more cultural, and which you choose will probably depend on how much you - and they - have already seen of the capital. And if your teens are total trailblazing mavericks who don't follow any of the rules...sigh...we feel for you. But you're in luck, as you can still hire a bike a do your own tour, for free with the London Pass. You are very welcome. Cartoon Museum No one's ever too old for cartoons. They make up a big part of your childhood. Ours too. And even better, your teenagers watched them. Why not explore the history of the cartoon, from its humble beginnings in the 1700s through to their rather more commercially successful present, at the Cartoon Museum? They've over 900 pieces on display, which is quite a lot, as well as a number of cartoon-related events. And for teens passionate about cartoons and thinking about studying illustration or animation at higher education, they also offer lectures and courses, backed up by a significant archive and library. M&M World "If all else fails, ply them with chocolate". The eternal parent matra still rings true, and where better to exercise this than at Leicester Square's famous M&M World? Not only do you get 15% off all purchases (you're very welcome), but your teens can also create their own custom M&M blend. There's also a 1960s London bus, which seems like perfect gram bait for your social butterflies. Wafflemeister More sweet treats to satisfy the sweetest of teeth. No teen will ever turn down a waffle. Pretty sure that's in the Teenager Terms and Conditions. Get 15% off your waffles, and top them up with just about any glorious topping imaginable. Even fruit, if they need one of their five a day. Every Wafflemeister waffle is made using a secret family recipe. Just hope their offerings don't put your lesser desserts to shame. And if waffles are a little too heavy, they do milkshakes and ice cream too. What more could teens in London want? Curzon Cinema - Soho If you just need to put your big kids in a room for a couple hours so they stop talking, where better than the cinema? And why not do it in style at the Curzon Cinema in Soho? They've got the biggest screens, the best sound, and three theatres of movies both classic and contemporary. With the London Pass, you can go see one of them on us. It's even visited by industry veterans. If your teens are into films, or see themselves as sophisticated cinema auteurs, take them to Curzon. London Bridge Experience And finally, this last entry might be best reserved for the bigger teens in your collection. London has a pretty dark history, and the best way to experience it is with the London Bridge Experience. See how 2000 years of gruesome and gory stories have shaped the capital, from Boudicca's battles against the Romans, through to Jack the Ripper's terrorising of Whitechapel. Rumours abound that ghosts lurk in the catacombs below. We cannot say for certain, but if you and your spawn are feeling brave, venture down and discover the truth for yourselves. Muuuahahaha. Sorry. That's our list of the best things to do in London with teens. Surely more than enough to keep your growing terrors happy. Thinking of taking your teens to anything else in London? How dare you. Best leave a comment below telling us what and why, for unrelated reasons.
Dom Bewley
Pub Crawl London
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The Best Pub Crawls in London

These are the best London pub crawls and bar crawls London has to offer, whether you’re on a historical hunt or looking for something louder. The pub scene is bustling with excitement and creativity, giving rise to some innovative ideas and pub crawl themes that will make your night unforgettable. Visiting your local pub is a rite of passage for many Brits. And that’s certainly the case for Londoners. But once in a while, when the weather is fine (or not fine), you’re feeling in the mood (or really not in the mood), you’ve got money in your pocket (or barely any money in your pocket) and you’re in good company (or completely alone), you want to go out for a pub crawl. We reckon this is particularly true for day-trippers and other holidaymakers, just in London for a bit. Because why see one pub on your visit to London when you could see 30? So here’s our guide to some of the most popular pub crawls in London and ideas to inspire your adventure. Featured in this guide: Monopoly Pub Crawl The Historical Crawl London Literary Pub Crawl The Shoreditch Pub Crawl And more... Monopoly pub crawl Named after the beloved board game, the goal of the Monopoly Pub Crawl is to make it to 26 different pubs located close to 26 different London tube stations. It’s so popular that it’s garnered its own website and internet following, with a monopoly board detailing every single location from the Lord Nelson on Old Kent Road through to the Spread Eagle on Oxford Street. Remember kids: drinking, unlike Monopoly, is not a game. But both the game and the crawl can take up an entire day. And ruin the next one. Pubs on the crawl include: Ye Grapes in Mayfair, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, and 24 other pubs that may or may not have Ye in their name Attractions along the way: Trafalgar Square, Eros Statue, King’s Cross Station, London Transport Museum The Historical pub crawl Hailed by The Telegraph as a crawl taking in ‘London’s most fascinating historical nuggets,' this route starts off in Blackfriars and takes you through to Holborn. It’s a much more manageable trek with just six spots on the list, but each one is steeped in British history from the Grade II listed Blackfriar with its stained glass details, through to the rich timber wood of the Cittie of Yorke, tucked away in a cellar. If you’re on the lookout for more historic watering holes, check out our guide to the Oldest Pubs in London. Pubs on the crawl include: Cittie of Yorke in Holborn, Blackfriar in Blackfriars Attractions along the way: London Transport Museum, Museum of London The Circle Line pub crawl No surprises here: this pub crawl is a relatively straightforward one that follows the Circle Line underground track around the heart of London. It one-ups the Monopoly Pub Crawl, both literally and metaphorically, as you’ll have to hit 27 bars to fully complete the crawl. Starting and ending in Embankment (with a suggested celebratory tipple in Leicester Square, because you’ll probably need a drink after you’ve completed it), it follows the Circle Line – which, funnily enough, doesn’t resemble a circle, but a beer bottle. They suggest you do it in 12 hours, having half pints in each pub. Pubs on the crawl include: The crawl website gives you multiple options for each station, so take your pick. Or choose a pub local to a station to suit your tastes. Attractions along the way: Tower Bridge, King’s Cross Station, Barbican Theatre, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben Wimbledon Eight pub crawl Along with the tennis whites and Wombles, Wimbledon’s also home to a pretty amazing pub crawl route. The crawl was popularised by actor Oliver Reed, who allegedly took Steve McQueen on a night out to his favourite Wimbledon pubs.  After a 15 minute pint in each, they started the crawl again, though now the common route goes around the board just once. It starts in the Hand in Hand and finishes at the Swan (a replacement for the now-closed Finch’s).  Pubs on the crawl include: The Fox and Grapes, The Fire Stables  Attractions along the way: Wimbledon Tennis Stadium 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% on London attractions Shoreditch pub crawl  Shoreditch: home of the hipsters, craft beer hangouts and street art. The neighbourhood has plenty of bars which put a twist on the usual melon man and there's a dedicated Shoreditch Pub Crawl company that'll take you to the quirkiest spots in the area. The kind of places that give Shoreditch its reputation for being...very Shoreditch.  It starts off at Sink Pong Bar, a bar filled with ping pong tables. Better bring your A-Game and gym shorts: this is one for shots and dancing and playing around, rather than quiet pubbing.  Attractions along the way: Brick Lane, Old Spitalfield Market  Because sometimes it’s good to have some culture with your crawl. This special guided crawl lasts 3 hours, involves about a mile of walking. You don’t stop in every pub...so you can still take in all the info. This pub crawl takes you to the favourite boozy haunts of London’s writers and creatives, from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf.  You’ll be accompanied by actors playing some of the deceased literary figures and reading famous extracts from their works. It’s a lot of fun and you might find you have something in common with one of the country’s most popular writers...you both like drinking.  Pubs on the crawl include: Shhh...it’s a secret  Attractions along the way: Pollock's Toy Museum The Sam Smiths pub crawl  Okay, so this is officially more of a challenge than a crawl. It’d be impossible to do all of these on one crawl. So please don’t try. Samuel Smith’s Brewery is located in Yorkshire, but they’ve got a number of very popular (and cheap) pubs across London, mainly in the very centre.  These guys came up with the Sam Smiths Challenge, where they looked to visit every Sam Smiths pub across the capital. But you can make your own route between these charming, welcoming, and affordable pubs using their map of London Sam Smiths pubs, located on their website.  Pubs on the crawl include: every Sam Smiths pub in London  London pub crawl themes and ideas Pub crawl themes can add an extra layer of fun to the experience. Some themes could include a costume theme, like dressing up as characters from British history or a favorite movie, or a foodie pub crawl where each stop includes a small bite to mix perfectly your pint experience.  Looking for more unique pub crawl ideas? Why not create your own crawl based on your interests? Perhaps a crawl that only stops at pubs with live music, or one that explores London's haunted pub scene? Join the Historic Pub Tour of London with The London Pass® Discover London’s legendary pub culture on this guided tour of four historic ale houses in the heart of the city. Follow in the footsteps of great stalwarts of London’s pubs from centuries gone by: Cromwell, Dickens, Conan Doyle, and more! Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️
Megan Hills
British Museum
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What to See at the British Museum

The British Museum exhibitions are not just displays; they're narratives that guide you through time. See globally-renowned relics of ancient civilisations that will leave you mesmerised.
Dom Bewley

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