To celebrate the 600th Anniversary of Wells Cathedral’s Chained Library in 2024, a new limited-edition gin, Dean Turner’s New Herball Gin, has been launched exclusively at Wells Cathedral. The gin offers a unique taste of the region’s natural heritage, allowing drinkers to connect with the past while enjoying a modern, handcrafted spirit.

This special release pays tribute to a former Dean of Wells Cathedral, Dr. William Turner, the father of English botany, and his pioneering work, A New Herball, the first botanical text written in English. A rare copy of this significant book is housed in the Cathedral’s Chained Library, and represents just one of the many fascinating items in this medieval collection.

Dean Turner’s New Herball Gin honors Turner’s legacy by celebrating the botanicals he studied and documented. This gin features a blend of locally sourced botanicals, created by Somerset-based gin makers Still Sisters.

The gin is available exclusively at the Wells Cathedral Shop for £27 per 350ml  bottle. With only a limited number of bottles currently available, customers are encouraged to purchase soon before stocks run out. It’s the perfect gift for gin lovers and those with an interest in the rich history of Wells Cathedral! The Cathedral Shop is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Sunday) between October and March, and 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Sunday) between April and September.

As well as enjoying a taste of history with Dean Turner’s New Herball Gin, visitors can see Turner’s work in the flesh on a tour of the Cathedral Library, and wander the Camery Garden within the Cathedral precincts.