Ad Gefrin brings Anglo-Saxon history and award-winning design to Wooler

In the small Northumberland town of Wooler, a story more than 1,300 years old has inspired one of the region's most striking new attractions. Ad Gefrin, an Anglo-Saxon museum and full-process whisky distillery, was founded by Eileen and Alan Ferguson and officially opened on 25 March 2023.

Its design draws on the seventh-century palace of King Edwin of Northumbria, which stood at the foot of nearby Yeavering Bell. The name itself first appears in Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written in 731, as "ad gefrin", and is thought to mean roughly hill of the goats.

The £16 million project has been a hit with visitors. It welcomed 65,000 people in its first year, and in April 2025 the team expected 74,000 in its second. It won silver for Best Large Visitor Attraction at the 2025 North East Tourism Awards and was a finalist for VisitEngland's New Tourism Business of the Year.

The building has won plaudits too. In 2025 it collected a RIBA North East Award, RIBA North East Client of the Year and RIBA North East Building of the Year. Designed by Elphick Associates, the scheme transformed a derelict site with a new building echoing ancient aesthetics and reconstructed a 17th-century dye mill and cottage. The RIBA jury said: "The building is clearly a labour of love."

Then there are the drinks. The debut whisky, Tácnbora, a blend of Scotch and Irish whiskies, was released on 27 October 2022, followed by limited cask finishes. Thirlings Dry Gin arrived on 15 June 2023, with botanicals including heather, pine, elderberry, dill, Irish moss and sea buckthorn, and there is also Flýte, a whisky cream liqueur. At the 2024 IWSC Awards, Tácnbora Northumbrian Blended Whisky won silver, while Corenkyn Blended Malt Whisky and Thirlings Gin each took bronze.

Local chefs have taken note. Newcastle's Blackfriars Restaurant names Ad Gefrin among the Northumberland spirits it is proud to serve.

With seasonal events inspired by Anglo-Saxon traditions, a museum full of stories and a whisky programme still maturing in the cask, Ad Gefrin is well worth the drive north.

Tours, tastings and opening times are listed on the Ad Gefrin website.