Witchmark Distillery offers stone carving
English spirits producer Witchmark is offering hands-on stone carving workshops as part of the visitor experience at its distillery in Wiltshire.
The experience invites guests to explore the brand’s history, drawing inspiration from the ancient witch marks etched into the distillery’s walls that gave Witchmark its name.
Believed to be the only workshop of its kind in the UK, the sessions will allow attendees to carve their own replica apotropaic symbols.
These geometric marks, known as hexafoils, or daisy wheels, engraved into stone and timber throughout medieval England, were believed to ward off evil spirits.
Each two-hour workshop is led by Toby Robson, a qualified stonemason and heritage conservator.
Participants work with locally sourced Chilmark stone and slate, both taken from the same Wiltshire landscape that surrounds the distillery, which is situated in a 17th-century Grade II listed barn on the Fonthill Estate.
The experience includes storytelling, heritage education, and hands-on craft activities. Participants will have the opportunity to create and carve their own designs using traditional geometric carving techniques, taking the finished product home.
Each session starts with a complimentary gin and tonic upon arrival, and guests receive a 10% discount on 700ml bottles purchased that day.
The experience is now available for bookings on three Sundays: 24 May, 21 June, and 26 July.
Sessions are available from 2pm to 4pm for £50 (US$68) per person.
In addition to the new workshop, Witchmark Distillery offers two-hour experiences at its Gin School, where guests can create their own gin.
Last week, the distillery filled its 1,000th cask of English whisky, 18 months after starting single malt production.
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