Lakes Distillery
At England's largest whiskey distillery, converted from a Victorian model farm, good hour-long tours get you up close to the process and include a history of illicit distilling in the area and a thrilling aerial film that follows the River Derwent from source to sea. Visits feature a tasting of either gin or whiskey; the home-produced whiskey has a slightly smoky flavor with hints of spice, and the gin is distilled with wild juniper picked in the fells of the Lake District. There are also special experiences, such as a single-malt exploration. The popular bistro (not open for dinner), in the old milking parlor, offers high-quality dishes such as a distiller's lunch—a take on the traditional ploughman’s—and slow-cooked pork. Desserts are especially good, and seating spills out into the courtyard in good weather.
