The English Spirit Distillery recently opened the doors to visitors at its new site, Treguddick Manor, in Cornwall. CALIBRE dropped in to see the results of this labour of love, and we can definitely say it was worth the wait.
As with many places in the heart of the Cornwall countryside, the location is quiet, charming and beautiful. Pulling off the main A30, it’s just a couple of minutes before you arrive, but you’ll feel a world away from the busy road.
The visitor centre is housed in what was the original barn on the site, and while it has been rebuilt and modernised, the original shape has been retained and much of the main frame and beams are still visible under the new, shiny skin.
It is a beautiful mix of the old and the new, and many of the wood fittings have been handcrafted to a high standard so that everything in the building fits with the vision that Dr John and the team had.
While waiting for our tour to begin, we had time for a quick cup of Cornish tea in the cafe, which has views out to the raised pond area and outdoor seating terrace. If you’re in the mood for a bite to eat, there are options for breakfast, a light lunch and afternoon tea available. With lovely touches like homemade English spiced rum ketchup on the breakfast bacon roll, it’s definitely a menu worth exploring.
During our tour, we were ably guided by James, the general manager at Treguddick Manor
. Having been a big part of the site development, he talked us through the conception and execution of the project with passion, and his love of not only Treguddick Manor and the company, but also the spirits that are produced was wonderfully evident.
As well as talking about how the spirits are distilled, English Spirit is keen to show just where the flavours they incorporate come from, and with an informative trip around the three weatherproof domes, we’re introduced to the sights, smells and textures of the grains and botanicals that add those wonderful flavours to the myriad spirits that English Spirit produce.
Although English Spirit is currently best known for distillery tours, there are further plans at Treguddick for hosting a range of events for visitors and locals, incorporating not only tastings but also cooking with spirits and themed evenings in the restaurant space.
James and his team are working hard to put Treguddick on the map as a destination for great food and drink, alongside simply being an interesting place to visit.
If you’re ever in that neck of the woods or are just looking for a reason to head to the beautiful west country, Treguddick Manor should be on your list.
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