We’ve had wine tours, now prepare for gin tours. Bombay Sapphire Distillery is building a visitor centre alongside its first production facility, which will open in Hampshire in the autumn.

The site, on the banks of the River Test, will marry historic buildings with contemporary architecture. As well as bringing a derelict paper mill - which formerly housed one of England’s most significant bank note paper making facilities - back to life, the site will feature cutting edge architecture from one of the UK’s most current designers.

Designers of the Olympic cauldron, Heatherwick Studios, have drawn up plans for two glass houses, which will be home to the 10 botanicals from which the gin is made.

Thomas Heatherwick says: “The glass house, influenced by Britain’s rich heritage of glass house structures, will be two separate structures providing both a humid environment for spices which originate from the tropics, as well as a dry temperate zone for Mediterranean plants.”

Guests will be able to find out how the gin is made, wander around the distillery and attend cocktail classes when the site opens. Other engaging visitor experiences are current on the drawing board.

The site will also include function space, a cafe and a shop. Bombay Sapphire is hoping to attract 100,000 visitors a year.

Estate manager, Will Brix, says: “The distillery will offer a memorable experience where everyone is welcome to discover Bombay Sapphire unscripted and as it happens in our working distillery.”