The Hayman family has recently launched its new London distillery, housed within a period brick warehouse in Balham, South West London. Marking a continuation of the family’s longstanding commitment to championing the True English Gin style, using family techniques and processes that have been handed down through five generations, the new distillery will offer a range of tours to the public. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the team, see the stills, nose the botanicals and explore the process and recipes behind the Hayman’s range of True English Gins, less than four miles from where the family’s first distillery opened in 1863.

The period 450m² warehouse has been transformed into the Home of English Gin, a fully functioning gin distillery blended with finishing, quality and texture to achieve an atmosphere of contemporary elegance and warmth, nonetheless rooted in tradition and housed within a production space. The distillery boasts three copper pot stills, named Miranda, Marjorie and Karin after three important women in the family history.

The design was carried out by Contagious Design Agency and delivered by Resolution Interiors. Richard Smith of Contagious Design says ‘Our challenge for the Hayman’s Gin Distillery, brand home and visitor centre was to create a warm and welcoming environment which existed within a working, industrial space. Conceptually we wanted to give visitors the feeling of being invited into a contemporary and aspirational English home which also had substance, heritage and stories to tell.’

Resolution Interiors engineered a brand new shopfront and remodelled elements of the building’s interior, including creating a re-constructed mezzanine bar area and statement staircase to convert this industrial property into a customer centric experience. The artful lighting scheme and bespoke items such as the oversized tasting table, illuminated displays and heritage feel bar were also produced by Resolution Interiors, working in close collaboration with Contagious Design. All of the printed artwork, props and objects were specified and sourced by Contagious Design together with designing graphic elements throughout. Customers can now book a tour at www.haymansgin.com/tours for a behind-the-scenes look into how the Hayman family make True English Gin, as they have for over 150 years.

Designed by Contagious Design
Build by Resolution Interiors
Photography by John Carey