Ad Gefrin

We have a vision…to evoke the golden age of Northumbria in a stunning visitor destination, that is home to our world class single malt whisky.

More than 1000 years ago, Northumbria was the most powerful kingdom in all England, ruled from the Royal residence of ‘Ad Gefrin’ in the Glendale Valley near Wooler.

This is from where we take our inspiration and the name we have chosen for our new visitor destination and distillery – Ad Gefrin, a royal place of gathering, community and hospitality.

We will breathe new life into old buildings, creating jobs, futures and a stronger community in the process. Creating a new Northumbrian whisky has become our passion – the ‘Spirit of Belonging’ – that we want everyone across North East England and around the world to enjoy.

Everything we create, and everything we do, is born to bring people together. We hope this means Wooler becomes the heart of something very special for decades to come.

The Vision

Our vision is to revitalise a Northumbrian community through the creation of a world class visitor destination showcasing the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, arts and products of Northumberland, and to re-awaken a 200-year-old Northumbrian tradition for whisky distilling.

Ad Gefrin will become a ‘must visit’ venue in North Northumberland, with visitors experiencing in every step the ancient spirit of belonging and hospitality that we are inspired by. Our new cultural centre will offer an immersive AV and museum interpretation of the Northumbrian royal capital of Ad Gefrin and the Golden Age of the Kingdom of Northumbria. It will link with the landscape, archaeology, and stories of the area, as well as trails through the Northumberland National Park, encouraging visitors to explore and spend time across the wider Borderlands area of modern England and Scotland.

Whisky hasn’t been made in Northumbria since the last Cheviot illicit stills were closed almost 200 years ago. It is our aim not only to reintroduce this artisan craft, but in doing so, create a single malt that will be truly world-class. We will offer an insight into how we achieve this through distillery tours.

As well as celebrating our past, we shall be showcasing the very best of contemporary responses to it, through art, music, literature, craft and culture; highlighting the very best of regional produce and encouraging a new dynamism, creativity, craft-working and artistry in Wooler and its surrounds.

Key Facts

A multi-million pound investment – one of the largest inward investment projects ever seen in North Northumberland.

Restoration of a redundant site at South Road, Wooler, and the creation of an outstanding statement building that will reflect the original aesthetic and echo the great Anglo-Saxon halls of the past.

Provision of a world-class year-round visitor destination in North Northumberland.

Ad Gefrin will bring growth in tourist income and support the wider business community by sourcing goods and services from local suppliers, and provide a retail outlet for high quality art and craft products and local produce, showcasing the best that Northumberland has to offer.

Create of a new prestige product from Northumberland, capitalising on export markets, local and domestic customers.

Create high value sustainable job opportunities.