London’s Gatwick Airport has opened the world’s first airport-based gin distillery. The Nicholas Culpeper, located in the North Terminal, combines an on-site distillery with dining and bar service, creating a distinctive pre-flight experience for travelers.
The venue produces its own signature spirit, The Nicholas Culpeper London Dry Gin, distilled in small 12-liter batches using ingredients such as Chinese cassia bark and Indian angelica root. The recipe was developed by Matthew Servini, the establishment’s master of gin who focuses on historical gin recipes from the 16th and 17th centuries. Each bottle is individually marked with batch number, production date and the distiller’s signature.
The distillery is a collaboration between Gatwick Airport and The Restaurant Group, reflecting the growing popularity of premium gin in recent years. Premium gin now represents a significant share of Gatwick’s gin sales, highlighting a shift in passenger preferences toward higher-quality, craft-focused products.
“Our latest dining innovation, The Nicholas Culpeper, with its on-site gin distillery, continues our transformation of the in-airport experience,” said Spencer Sheen, head of retail at Gatwick Airport. “This unique addition expands the range and quality of dining options available to our customers, challenging expectations of what can be enjoyed in an airport. Passengers are increasingly choosing premium products, and with The Nicholas Culpeper we have risen to meet that demand so holidays truly begin at the airport.”