Gin Festivals Are Popping Up All Over the UK in 2019!
As the sun begins to put his hat on across the UK, one of the most hotly anticipated string of events is getting underway – Gin Festivals. That’s right, there are festivals popping up all over the UK dedicated to the nation’s favourite tipple.
If you’re searching for a refreshing way to spend your summer, hop on a CrossCountry train and visit the gin festivals across the UK due to take place throughout the summer. Make sure to take advantage of great prices when you book an Advance Ticket with CrossCountry.
When life hands you lemons, it’s time to make a G&T!
The Great British Gin Festival, Nottingham
When? July 13th
What Time? 12:00-16:00
Where? The Atrium, NG5 1QZ
Nottingham will welcome a huge variety of gins in July, including exclusive gins that you can only sup at this particular festival. You can make your way from one cocktail bar to the next, sipping on a new gin and mixer along the way. If you want to soak up some of the booze, get a yummy treat from one of the many food stands that sell everything from fresh burgers to veggie snacks. One of the biggest hits at this festival is the 25ml test tubes that you can take home with you filled with your favourite tipple from the event.
The Great British Gin Festival, Reading
When? July 5th & 6th
What Time? 18:30 - 22:30, 12:00 – 16:00
Where? Reading Town Hall, RG1 1QH
Returning to Reading in 2019, gin lovers will be flocking to the city’s town hall to take part in this year’s Great British Gin Festival. As well as lots of unusual and tasty gins on offer, there will be cocktail tutorials from some of the country’s best mixologists and presentations from small-batch producers. The festival runs over two days, giving gin connoisseurs plenty of time to take in all the juniper notes (although we don't recommend trying all of them, there’s over 100!)
The Great British Gin Festival, Newcastle
When? June 22nd
What Time? 12:30-20:00
Where? Civic Centre, NE1 8QH
Making its debut in Newcastle this year, The Great British Gin Festival is hittin the toon, and you won’t want to miss it. With over 100 different international gins from household names and unusual flavours to exclusive, small batch gins, with a gin glass and gin bible given on arrival to guide guests through their gin tasting experience.
Entertainment includes talks and trade stands, cocktail demo’s, interactive games and a live band. Want to carry on once the festival is over? Check out some of Newcastle’s secret bars and keep the gin flowing.
The Great British Gin Festival, Weston-super-Mare
When? August 31st
What Time? 12:00 – 16:00
Where? Tropicana, Marine Parade, BS23 1BE
Head to Weston-super-Mare in August and get your very own gin bible to take home with you, which will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted and needed to know about gin tasting. There are also lots of fun presentations dedicated to your favourite drink, rows of endless trade stands giving away free samples, live music playing throughout the day and cocktail demos from some very entertaining and skilful bar tenders.
The Gin to my Tonic Festival, Oxford
When? June 7th & 8th
What Time? 18:30-23:00 (5th), 12:30-17:00 (6th), 18:30-23:00 (6th), 12:30-17:00 (7th)
Where? Oxford Town Hall, OX1 1BX
Famous for its beautiful spires and historic architecture, Oxford provides the perfect location to enjoy a gin festival this summer! Easy to reach by train, this event is particularly important and worth celebrating because Saturday 8th June is World Gin Day. This gives you even more reason to sample, drink and enjoy a wide range of gin. On entry, visitors will get an explorer guide providing information on the gins including tasting notes as well as a Copa glass, tote bag and pen and a stainless-steel straw.
The Great British Gin Festival, Manchester
When? August 10th
What Time? 12:00 – 16:00
Where? Bowlers Exhibition Centre, M17 1EH
When you arrive at the Manchester Gin Festival, not only will you be given a glass that you can reuse throughout the event, but you’ll also be handed a trusty gin bible, takeaway test tubes and be greeted by rows of stands serving up a variety of tasty gins. The bars operate on a token system, with one token giving you a shot of gin, a mixer and a fresh garnish. What more could you ever need? The talks are educational as well as heaps of fun, while the live entertainment provided by local bands adds to the revelry.
Big Big Gin Festival, Edinburgh
When? October 12th & 13th
What Time? 12th: 12:00 – 17:00, 19:00 – 24:00, 13th: 12:00 – 17:00
Where? Edinburgh Corn Exchange, EH14 1RJ
After a successful 2018, the Big Big Gin Festival is back at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange this October. Gin lovers are in for a treat with a huge variety of gins, great food, live music and a gin cocktail bar.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an advanced Gin drinker or just getting started, there will be something for everyone. Do you want to treat your Gin-loving friend to a nice day out, but you aren’t a big fan? There will also be some great Scottish craft beers on sale, as well as various wines and Proseccos available.
Whichever gin festival you choose to sample during the sunny summer months in 2019, you can take advantage of some amazing savings with CrossCountry Advance train tickets. Plus, you also get to enjoy all the benefits of not having to drive, from being able to drink how much gin you want, not having to drive and avoiding the hassle of parking.
While we encourage you to have lots of fun at the UK's top gin festivals in 2019, we advise you to please drink responsibly. For more information, visit the Drink Aware website.
Written by Julia