Two addresses, one distillery

Cambridge Distillery describes itself as a relatively small production site in Grantchester. The Gin Guild notes that the distillery does not run tours of the distillery but does offer experiences at both the Cambridge Gin Lab on Green Street in central Cambridge and at the distillery itself, so booking is the route in rather than a drop-in tour.

The company is owned and founded by master distiller William Lowe with his wife and business partner Lucy Lowe. Beyond that, the published record in these sources is thin on dates and awards, so if that side of the story matters to you, ask on arrival rather than relying on something you read elsewhere.

Where the Grantchester distillery is and how to get there

The official Cambridge Distillery site gives the Grantchester address as 20 High Street, Grantchester, Cambridge CB3 9NF. That is the site to aim for if you want to see where the gin is actually made and to combine the trip with the meadows and the river. Note that the Gin Guild’s distillery listing gives a Green Street contact address instead; use the official site or your booking confirmation for the exact visit address.

The Gin Guild places the distillery near the River Cam as it winds through Grantchester Meadows toward Cambridge, and describes the meadows as the botanical inspiration behind the gins. From central Cambridge the pleasant approach is on foot through those meadows; allow a leisurely hour or so each way depending on pace and how often you stop. Buses and taxis cover the same ground more quickly if the weather turns or you are short of time, and it is worth checking how you will get back before a late session.

Where the Cambridge Gin Lab is and how it differs

The Gin Guild lists the Cambridge Gin Lab at 10 Green Street, Cambridge CB2 3JU, in the heart of the city and within easy reach of the colleges and the shopping streets. It is the practical choice for a city-centre day: no meadow walk required, and it slots in between other stops.

For private events the caps differ: the Gin Guild gives capacity of up to 42 at the Gin Lab against 20 at the distillery, so a larger group decides the venue for you. For a couple or a small party, weigh the Grantchester setting against the city-centre convenience.

Opening hours and where to check them

The official Cambridge Distillery site lists opening hours of Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm and Saturday 11am to 3pm, and it says it is closed on Sunday. Hours like these can shift around seasons and private bookings, so confirm before you travel.

No admission or session prices are published in the sources behind this guide, so budget from the booking page rather than from second-hand figures. The same page is the place to check whether a date is free before you build a day around it.

Tours, experiences and what actually happens

Do not plan on a factory walk-round. The production site is small and does not run tours of the distillery, so the way to see inside is to book one of the experiences offered at the distillery or the Gin Lab. Sessions can be tailored, and run from one to three hours, which is a useful spread: an hour suits a curious stop, three hours suits a celebration or a group outing.

What you taste and make varies by session, so read the description for the booking you are considering rather than assuming a fixed format. If you want the gin-making side rather than a guided tasting, say so when you enquire, because the two are not interchangeable.

Booking a session and private events

Both sites take bookings, and private events are possible: up to 20 people at the distillery and up to 42 at the Gin Lab, with sessions tailored and lasting one to three hours. For a birthday, a work do or a family gathering, those caps are the first thing to check against your guest list.

Book ahead rather than chancing a walk-in, especially at weekends and in fine weather when Grantchester fills up. Raise any access needs or party details at the point of booking, when a tailored session is easier to arrange than on the day.

The gins to look for

The range is the reason most people come. Cambridge Dry Gin combines traditional juniper with local, seasonal botanicals. Cambridge Truffle Gin is pitched as a digestif, made with white truffle from Alba in Piedmont, and is the one to try if you like savoury, earthy notes.

Cambridge Anty Gin is the curiosity of the set, made with red wood ants as a botanical, while Watenshi Gin is the rare, high-end bottle. How much of the range you can taste on a given session depends on what you book, so check the session description. Bottle prices are not given here; the distillery shop and its online store are where to look.

How long to allow and what to do nearby

Give the distillery half a day including travel: the session itself, plus the walk out and back through Grantchester Meadows. The Gin Lab needs less time overall because you can pair it with other city-centre stops, which makes it easy to fit into an afternoon.

In Grantchester, the meadows and the river are the natural add-on, and the village itself is small enough to wander. Back in the centre, The Eagle, Cambridge is a well-known pub stop a short walk from Green Street, and Fitzbillies on Trumpington Street covers a sweet finish. Check kitchen times before you set out in the evening.

Each named place we cover here has its own short guide, collected under Cambridge pubs and food landmarks.

Which site should you book?

Book the Grantchester distillery if you want the setting, the meadows walk and the sense of where the gin comes from. Book the Gin Lab on Green Street if you are tight on time, want to stay central, or need room for a larger private party. Either way, confirm the slot and current hours before you go.