Hampshire Gin Trail
A driving trail of four historic Hampshire churches and three local landmarks, all with a connection to gin.
Start point: Holy Trinity Church, Merepond Lane, Privett, Alton, Hampshire (GU34 3PE)
Distance: 1 hr 4mins by car (32.8 miles)
Route: Linear, Driving
Hampshire is the home of mighty ports, connected to thriving towns by busy motorways, but its leafy heart hides church spires and fine food and drink producers. Chalk springs feed church fonts, watercress beds and gin distilleries. Wild juniper survives in hot spots on chalk downland, while views from church doorways span river valleys to the farmland beyond. Flint farmworkers cottages line footpaths which have led congregations to services for centuries. Enjoy our Gin Trail through the South Downs and discover the history hidden in the landscape.
The trail starts at Holy Trinity Church in Privett, built by the Nicholson Family who have produced Nicholson Gin since 1736. It then moves on to the Lavender Fields and Watercress beds at Long Barn on the way to St Mary’s Church at Itchen Stoke. After this, the route goes past Winchester Distillery before reaching the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Preston Candover. Finally, the trail visits St Nicholas’ Church in Freefolk, which is just a stone’s throw from the famous Bombay Sapphire distillery.
Download Gin Trail Route
You can also sit back and enjoy a virtual tour of the four Hampshire churches on this trail with this video. You will learn a little about the history of each church, their links with gin and a bit about the botanicals of gin distilling along the way.
