Cornwall is one of the UK’s most exciting regions for craft drinks. The county has more independent breweries, distilleries, and cideries per head than almost anywhere else in Britain, helped by Cornish water (soft, mineral-rich), local barley and apples, and a generation of producers committed to small-batch, place-of-origin drinks. The result is a network of Cornwall brewery tours and tasting experiences that turn a wet afternoon into one of the best things you can do in Cornwall.

This guide covers the major and minor producers — gin, beer, cider, vodka, whisky — and how to visit them. Each entry has notes on tour formats, costs, booking requirements, and what to expect. We have organised by drink type so you can plan a route that suits your taste.

Cornwall’s Best Distilleries (Gin and Spirits)

Tarquin’s Cornish Gin (Wadebridge)

Cornwall’s most famous gin distillery, founded 2012 by Tarquin Leadbetter. Awarded Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” Travellers’ Choice. The 90-minute tour includes:

• Botanical-handling and copper-still introduction.
• The “still room” with their iconic copper pots.
• A guided tasting flight of their core range (Cornish Dry, Sea Dog Navy Strength, the Tonquin pink gin, Hopster gin).
• A bottle to take home (in some packages).

Tours run multiple days a week; book ahead. Located near Padstow.

Caspyn Cornish Gin (Marazion)

Smaller artisan distillery near St Michael’s Mount. Distillery tours include the gin-making process and tasting of their Mediterranean-leaning Caspyn Cornish Dry.

Curio Distillery (Mullion, Lizard)

Award-winning distillery in a Lizard farmhouse making rock-samphire gin and other unusual spirits.

Cornish Crystal Distillery (Camborne)

Distinctive vodka, gin, and rum produced from Cornish ingredients.

Pocketful of Stones (Penzance)

Boutique distillery with a focus on storytelling. Smaller tours and tastings by appointment.

Westward Distillery (Hayle)

Smaller, newer distillery; producers of “Sea Brewer” gin.

Cornwall’s Best Breweries

Sharp’s Brewery (Rock)

Cornwall’s most famous brewery, makers of Doom Bar (the UK’s best-selling cask ale) and Atlantic Pale Ale. The brewery is on the north coast at Rock, overlooking the Atlantic. Tours include:

• The full brewing process from malt to bottle.
• Tasting of their core range and seasonal beers.
• Brewery shop with bottles to take home.

St Austell Brewery (St Austell)

Cornwall’s largest brewery, founded 1851. Famous for Tribute, Proper Job, and Korev lager. The St Austell Visitor Centre offers tours, a brewery museum, and tastings.

Skinner’s Brewery (Truro)

Independent brewery known for Cornish Knocker, Lushingtons, and Betty Stogs. Brewery shop and tastings; check current tour availability.

Verdant Brewing Co. (Falmouth)

Modern craft brewery. Their tap room runs tastings and short tours; a favourite of younger drinkers.

Penzance Brewing Co. (Penzance)

Small craft producer. Tours by appointment.

Driftwood Spars Brewery (St Agnes)

Inn-attached micro-brewery; their Driftwood Spars beers are made and served on the same premises.

Tintagel Brewery (Tintagel)

Coastal brewery making cask and bottled ales. Brewery shop in Tintagel village.

Black Flag Brewery (Penryn)

Small craft brewery; tap room with rotating beers.

Cornwall’s Best Cideries

Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm (Penhallow, near Truro)

Cornwall’s largest and most-visited cider producer. The farm tour is one of Cornwall’s best food-and-drink experiences:

• Cellars and traditional cider-making equipment.
• Apple orchards and pressing demonstrations in autumn.
• Tractor and trailer tours of the farm.
• Tasting bar with their cider, country wines, and “Rattler” — Cornwall’s famous cloudy cider.
• Restaurant and farm shop on site.

Family-friendly; booking recommended in summer.

Cornish Orchards (Looe)

Award-winning cider, juice, and soft drink producer. Tours by arrangement; bottles widely sold.

Nouveau Cornwall (Bodmin)

Smaller artisan cidery making fewer but more distinctive ciders.

Trevethan Cornish Cider (Saltash)

Family-run cider producer with farm-shop tastings.

Cornwall’s Wineries

Camel Valley (near Bodmin)

Cornwall’s most famous English wine producer; multiple awards including their celebrated sparkling. Vineyard tours and tastings throughout summer; book ahead.

Trevibban Mill (Padstow)

Vineyard with on-site restaurant (Barnaby’s). Tastings included with vineyard tours.

Polgoon (Penzance)

Boutique vineyard and orchard — wine, cider, sparkling. Vineyard tours and on-site shop.

Knightor (Roseland)

Small Roseland Peninsula vineyard. Tastings and tours by appointment.

Cornwall Whisky and Other Spirits

• Hicks & Healey (Healey’s Cyder Farm) — Cornwall’s first single malt whisky.
• Salcombe Distilling (technically Devon) — gin and rum experiences just over the border.

Building a Cornwall Drinks Tour

One-Day Itineraries

Padstow Day

• Morning: Tarquin’s Gin Distillery tour and tasting.
• Lunch: Padstow harbour pub.
• Afternoon: Sharp’s Brewery tour at Rock (across the Camel Estuary).
• Evening: Cornish gin cocktails at Padstow’s harbour bars.

Truro Day

• Morning: Skinner’s Brewery in Truro.
• Lunch: city-centre pub featuring Cornish ales.
• Afternoon: Healey’s Cyder Farm at Penhallow (15 minutes drive).
• Evening: Cornish wine pairing dinner at a Truro restaurant.

Bodmin / North Cornwall Day

• Morning: Camel Valley vineyard tour.
• Lunch: vineyard restaurant or local pub.
• Afternoon: Tarquin’s Distillery (35 minutes from Camel Valley).

Multi-Day Drinks Holiday

Spend three days touring Cornish producers from a base in Padstow or Truro. Use a designated driver, taxi, or pre-arranged tour service — drink-driving rules apply on Cornish lanes too.

Booking Cornwall Tours

• Most distilleries and breweries require advance booking.
• Tour costs typically £15–£40 per person.
• Most include 4–6 sample tastings.
• Bottles for purchase always available.
• Sober drivers usually get a soft-drink package.

Pubs to Sample Cornwall’s Drinks

• Cornish ales: any rural pub will have at least three local cask ales on.
• Cornish gins: cocktail bars in Falmouth (Beerwolf Books, Silk and Sage), Truro (the Old Ale House), Penzance.
• Cornish ciders: country pubs across the county.
• Cornish wines: most Cornish restaurants now stock Camel Valley.

For the best pubs see our best pubs in Cornwall guide.

Cornwall Drinks Festivals

• Cornwall Beer and Cider Festival, Penryn (June) — Cornwall’s biggest beer festival.
• St Austell Beer Festival — annual brewery celebration.
• Cornish Cider Festival — autumn (date varies).
• Cornish Spirit and Gin Festival — held annually.

Take-Home Cornwall Drinks

Most distilleries and breweries operate shops and online stores. Worth knowing:

• Tarquin’s Cornish Dry Gin — widely available across the UK.
• Sharp’s Doom Bar — UK supermarkets and pubs.
• Healey’s Rattler Cider — Cornwall’s most popular cider; widely sold.
• Camel Valley Sparkling — Camel Valley vineyard or specialist shops.
• Cornish Sea Salt-aged spirits — increasingly common in Cornwall farm shops.

Where to Stay for a Cornwall Drinks Tour

For breweries cluster around Padstow (Tarquin’s, Sharp’s, the Chough Bakery, Camel Valley): base in Padstow or Wadebridge. For Truro and Healey’s: Truro itself. See our Cornwall B&B guide.

FAQs: Cornwall Brewery Tours

What is the best Cornwall brewery tour?

For history and brand: Sharp’s Brewery (Rock) or St Austell. For artisan craft: Verdant in Falmouth or Driftwood Spars at St Agnes.

What is the best Cornwall distillery tour?

Tarquin’s Cornish Gin tour wins international awards and is the most polished. Caspyn and Curio offer smaller, more personal experiences.

Can children come on Cornwall drinks tours?

Healey’s Cyder Farm is family-friendly. Most distilleries and breweries are for adults only.

Do tours include transport?

No — most expect you to drive yourself. Use a designated driver or book a taxi tour. Several Cornish operators run “drink-and-drive” experiences with a coach.

How much do Cornwall brewery tours cost?

£15–£40 per person typically; including tastings and (sometimes) a bottle to take home.

Can I buy Cornish gin and beer to take home?

Yes — every distillery and brewery has a shop. Many ship within the UK.

Cornwall’s craft drinks are some of the best in Britain. A morning at Tarquin’s, an afternoon at Sharp’s, and a long evening at a country pub working through Cornish cask ales — this is a Cornwall holiday that ages remarkably well.