How Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery became a star of English Tourism

Making a day out unforgettable? Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery has cracked it. Hidden away in the coastal village of Hunmanby, this pioneering distillery has just been awarded a VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Accolade and the team are over the moon.

So what makes this North Yorkshire gem stand out in a crowded industry? Let’s get into the story behind this award winning distillery, its approach to whisky and why it’s putting Yorkshire on the whisky map.

Image source: Image source: https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/

A golden award for an outstanding experience

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery was one of just 72 English attractions to receive a VisitEngland award this year for outstanding visitor experience. And one of only five in Yorkshire to get the top ‘Gold’ award for overall excellence. That’s a pretty select club to be in!

These awards don’t come easily. VisitEngland judge attractions on things like the warmth of welcome, quality of food and drink, how well they tell their story and the surprises they have in store for visitors. Spirit of Yorkshire ticked every box.

A response from the team

David Thompson, Distillery Director and Co-Founder, was over the moon:

“The Visitor Attraction Accolades are awards for excellence within the visitor attraction sector and we’re proud and delighted to have another one. It’s down to our fantastic team who deliver an outstanding visitor experience.”

From field to bottle: what makes Spirit of Yorkshire special?

Unlike most distilleries Spirit of Yorkshire isn’t just about making whisky – it’s about making it differently. Their ‘field to bottle’ approach sets them apart. All the barley used in their whisky is grown on their own family farm so every bottle is truly local. The flagship Filey Bay Single Malt Whisky is the proof of this.

Why it matters

Tourism is a key part of England’s economy with over 200,000 businesses supporting millions of jobs. In 2023 alone domestic tourism generated £70.5 billion. Distilleries like Spirit of Yorkshire don’t just make great whisky – they attract visitors, support local jobs and contribute to the wider economy.

And for Spirit of Yorkshire this is about more than just numbers. It’s about putting Yorkshire on the global whisky map. As Thompson says,

“This will help us build on our visitor offer which includes whisky tours, tastings, refreshments and events.”

What to see

The distillery isn’t just for whisky enthusiasts. They’ve created an experience for everyone. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Tours: Daily tours take you through the distillery from grain to glass.
• Tastings: Try some of their best whiskies and find out what makes Filey Bay so special.
• Events: Burns Night whisky dinners to seasonal celebrations.
• Food and drink: Visitors love the refreshments – so don’t miss the café.

VisitEngland recognition

Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland Director, said:

“These awards shine a light on the fantastic visitor experiences delivered by English attractions, from the warmest of welcomes to great food and drink, to amazing storytelling to outstanding customer service. It’s great to be able to celebrate and recognise the brilliant service and experiences they give visitors, every time.

Spirit of Yorkshire

Whether you’re a whisky enthusiast, a local food and drink fan or just looking for a day out, Spirit of Yorkshire has something for you. Sometimes the best adventures are on your doorstep – and often with a dram on the side.

So if you’re ever in Hunmanby, pop in and see what all the fuss is about. Cheers! 🥃