Devon Gin and Rum School

The Devon Gin and Rum School runs hands-on distilling sessions at the Cider Press Centre in Dartington, near Totnes - ten small stills, shared two to a still, so a session never has more than twenty people in it. The rum school operates out of a converted yellow American school bus, which rather sets the tone.

Over about two hours you work through botanicals or spice blends, distil your own bottle and design its label, with a G&T in hand for the gin sessions. Thursday to Saturday afternoons and Sunday from 3.30pm; Totnes station is a half-hour riverside walk away. Book ahead - the stills go quickly.