The Hepple Wilds experience is something not to be missed…. I was honoured to be invited to the first gathering by Hepple to a truly immersive experience within the stunning Hepple estate. There are several experiences on offer, we were taken on the wild gin walk. With our tour guide Richard, an expert on the local area and estate, we were shown where the botanicals used in the famous Hepple Gin are found in nature.
The passion of the project to rewild the estate is truly inspirational. I really learnt so much the ecosystem here and wildlife and how if affects their project. We could see the botanicals used in their gin growing in the wild such as the jumiper bushes that are 2/3 hundred years old and pick and handle them for ourselves, the smells an sights a truly immersive experience. We were taken to a secret hidden spot for our lunch to an old observatory which once house a large golden telescope built in 1912. What a treat!
As well as a wonderful lunch and treats we sampled a stunning hepple gin cocktail and had the extra surprise of Duncan Wise from Northumberland National Park with a solar telescope to show us sun spots what an experience!
The views here are beyond breathtaking of the Cheviots and Simonside Ridge, the estate itself is rich in moors and forest with an abundance of wildlife. We saw Buzzards, Skylark and Chiffchaff as well as toads and wild horses and deer. Finished off with a very rare chance to see their distillery which isn’t usually open to the public we met the head distiller Chris who explained how Hepple creates their gin in a unique way to others.
I’d highly recommend a visit yourself check their website for details on the different walks and experiences at Hepple Wilds with several walks available these experiences are limited if you’re interested in nature and the wild, you couldn’t get a more tailored experience along with superb views and Northumberland history.
