A SMALL batch craft gin producer on the edge of the Lake District has been named the county’s best experience of the last 12 months at the Cumbria Tourism Awards.

Shed 1 Gin Distillery in Ulverston has added yet another accolade to its haul of awards since launching gin experiences at the micro distillery in 2020.

The Cumbria Tourism awards celebrate the very best of the county’s vibrant tourism economy and were being held for the first time since 2019, making the event an extra special celebration for the hundreds of tourism industry guests.

Shed 1 Gin, along with most other winners, will now go forward to represent Cumbria at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2023.

The distillery, a former old calf shed on a working auction mart, is the only place in the county where people can make their own personalised gin with owners and distillers, Andy & Zoe Arnold-Bennett.

Other experiences on offer inside the atmospheric shed include distillery tours and tastings, botanical inspired Afternoon G&Teas, and gin and sweet treat pairings.

The couple also host a range of special events throughout the year including botanical candle-making workshops, abstract printing ‘crafternoons’, and food & cocktail demos in partnership with local chefs and mixologists.

The ‘Experience of the Year’ award makes it a hat-trick of prestigious gongs for the micro distillers in 2022 after clinching the ‘Visitor Attraction of the Year’ at the World Gin Awards, Icons of Gin in February and The Gin Guide’s Environmental Sustainability accolade for the third consecutive year in May.

The Cumbria Tourism ‘Experience of the Year’ award recognises those businesses that provide memorable, immersive, and distinctive experiences for visitors – and these types of experiences are highly sought after by Lake District visitors.

Co-owner and founder, Zoe Arnold-Bennett, said: “We were overwhelmed to have been the only Cumbrian business shortlisted as a finalist in three categories at the awards up against some excellent competition, but to then win the ‘Experience’ award really was the cherry on top!

“Just as importantly, the whole evening was a celebration of all things Cumbria. All the businesses work so hard and, even against the odds of the last few years, we’re all still here flying the flag for Cumbria and the Lake District.

"We are connected to so many of these businesses through supplies, collaborations, and other support, so every win on the night was a celebration for all of us.

“We’ve won quite a few awards for our gins, which is always a huge privilege! But it’s really exciting this year to have recognition for the distillery and the gin experiences we offer. We get such a buzz when people are enjoying themselves at The Shed and we love sharing our thirst for the gin industry with every person that walks through our doors.”

Shed 1 Gin produces seven premium gins from the 100x20 foot former old calf shed distillery in Ulverston as well as creating homemade gin jelly marmalade using fruit leftover from the gin-making process.

Marmalade is sold in jars from the distillery to raise money for local charities and groups and more than £8,000 has been donated over the last three years.