Gin Distillery receives a place in Hall of Fame

The Black Friars Gin Distillery, Plymouth has won the Silver Award in the Food & Drink category of VisitEngland’s Hall of Fame campaign. The distillery was selected by the Hall of Fame expert panel from almost 1,000 entrants and will feature in the hotly-anticipated Hall of Fame exhibition opening today on London’s Southbank.

Running for one week until 30 April, the free open-air exhibition opened to the public at Observation Point on the Southbank today, St George’s Day (23 April). The Black Friars Gin Distillery features along with 17 other VisitEngland Hall of Fame finalists which together celebrate England’s contribution to the world and what makes this country such a diverse and fascinating place to visit.

The distillery was shortlisted in the Food & Drink category alongside nine other entries including the Yorkshire pudding, Marmite and Earl Grey tea. A panel of experts awarded the Blackfriars Gin Distillery the Silver Award with the Sandwich taking first position and the Bakewell Pudding receiving Bronze.

The Black Friars Gin Distillery in Plymouth (www.plymouthdistillery.com) is the oldest working distillery in the country and visitors to Plymouth can take a guided tour of the country's oldest working gin distillery for a glimpse into the gin-making process. Dating back to the early 1400s, Black Friars is the oldest part of the distillery with records of a 'mault-house' on the premises going back to 1697. According to local legend, the Pilgrim Fathers stayed here before setting sail on the Mayflower to North America.

Amanda Lumley, CEO Destination Plymouth, commented on the achievement, ‘The Black Friars Gin Distillery, located within Plymouth’s historic Barbican, remains a prominent tourist attraction for Plymouth highlighting both our naval heritage and our growing culinary scene. We’re proud to be home to an English brand with such a fascinating past, appealing to history buffs and cocktail connoisseurs alike.’

The search to establish England’s Hall of Fame began in February when the tourist board asked the public to submit their suggestions. The Hall of Fame app received almost 1,000 submissions from Harry Potter to Harry Styles, the mini skirt to the tuxedo, The Beatles to punk music, and Earl Grey tea to the Scotch Egg.

The public submitted their home town or favourite holiday spot’s greatest claim to fame under the following categories: The Great, The Good and the Notorious; Inventions & Discoveries; Food & Drink; History & Heritage; Culture & Entertainment and Sport & Leisure.

To see the full list of finalists in VisitEngland’s Hall of Fame visit: www.englandshalloffame.com or search the hashtag #EnglandsHOF

For more information on Blackfriars Gin Distillery, Plymouth visit: www.plymouthdistillery.com

For more information on Destination Plymouth visit: www.visitplymouth.co.uk