Silent Pool Distillery

About

Take a deep dive into the Silent Pool Distillers experience at our distillery by the Silent Pool in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In 2014 our founders Ian McCulloch and James Shelbourne met in their local pub (where else?) to discuss setting up a small Surrey-based distillery producing handcrafted, artisan spirits using locally sourced ingredients. 

The Silent Pool provided the perfect rural location and we set about converting some adjacent farm buildings into our distillery, and developing the recipe for what was to become Silent Pool Gin. Our distillers experimented with hundreds of different flavour combinations before landing on the perfect recipe of 24 botanicals, created using our unique four stage distillation process. The result is a gin that is full-bodied and fresh, with exquisite clarity. Its rich depth of flavour is juniper-driven with floral layers of lavender and chamomile, and a refreshing citrus finish. 

We took some bottles to local farmers markets - and happily our customers really liked it. The rest, as they say, is history. Silent Pool Gin has gone on to win numerous awards and is now the UK’s best selling super premium gin. 

We produce around 500,000 bottles a year and export to 45 countries worldwide. And we’re proud to say that every single one is distilled and bottled at our small distillery by the Silent Pool.

Our distillery also produces the Silent Pool Expressions range, Woodcutter’s Daughter Whiskey, small batch gins, our own vodkas, and some delightful aperitivos. Taste our products side by side and you’ll find they share the same DNA; handcrafted, multi-layered and bursting with complex flavours that evolve as you experience them.

Visit us

We love having visitors! Life at the distillery is always busy with lots to see, including The Silent Pool itself which sits alongside us.
Shrouded in myth and legend, in the early 20th century it was reported that Agatha Christie had faked her own death in the Silent Pool. But it is the 12th century tale of Emma the Woodcutter’s Daughter - whose death by drowning is said to have been as a result of encountering the nefarious Prince John there - that is the source of its legend and its name. Look closely at the pattern on your Silent Pool Gin bottle and you’ll spot Emma, Prince John upon his horse, and a crown representing his royal crest intertwined amongst the botanicals.

Back at the distillery, our very popular 90-minute distillery tours  are led by our expert tour guides and include the history of gin and the Silent Pool, the story of our distillery and Silent Pool Gin, as well as a fascinating insight into the world of distilling and our four stage distillation process. And of course we open a range of our spirits for you to taste. Tours run from Thursday - Sunday each week and we advise booking online ahead of your visit. You can also book a private tour and bring your own guests.

We also offer unique gin experiences including our fabulous G&Tea Parties, a fascinating Aroma Masterclass and Artisan Events in collaboration with our neighbours at Albury Vineyard. Seasonal tours include a bee keeping experience (did you know that honey is a key ingredient of Silent Pool Gin?), floral classes and, for those who wish to stretch their legs, a walking tour that takes in the local countryside, historic local churches and pretty village of Shere.  Booking online is recommended for all events - and you can find more information about our experiences here.

Our on-site distillery shop is open seven days a week and staffed by our knowledgable and very friendly team. Here you can sample and shop our full range of spirits plus branded bar accessories, and look out for offers that are exclusive to the store.

The distillery’s Pool Bar is open every Friday 12 - 7, Saturday 11 - 7 and Sunday 11- 4 during summer and is situated on a secluded, sunny terrace that overlooks the Silent Pool. Book a table and bring your friends along for cocktails and craft beers. Dogs are welcome on the terrace too!

You can also hire the distillery for private, corporate or networking events or hire a pop-up branded Silent Pool Gin bar (complete with staff and gin!!) to bring a little Silent Pool magic to your own event.