This summer sees the return of the Ginchester Fête to Winchester, the south of England’s ‘capital of gin’.

This year, the event takes place at the historic Great Hall, which houses the legendary King Arthur’s Round Table. Stall holders will be entertaining visitors with games to create a quirky, quintessentially English summer fête; all with a gin theme.

Event organisers, Cabinet Rooms, are now in their third year of running events to mark World Gin Day in the city, which this year falls on Saturday June 10.

Cabinet Rooms Co-Founder, Gary Whiter, explained, “Like many other cities, Winchester has been enjoying a love affair with gin over the last few years. What sets Winchester apart from the rest, though, is that it is at the heart of an extremely exciting regional food and drink scene, which includes a number of creative gin distillers, large and small.”

He added: “Moving to the Great Hall means that the Fête will be even bigger and quirkier than before so it promises to be brilliant fun for even more of the region’s gin lovers and their friends.”

A prime example of the creativity behind the region’s gin offering is Winchester Distillery, the city’s original distillery and creators of the celebrated Twisted Nose gin, made using lavender and watercress from Alresford. The distillery, which is also sponsoring the Ginchester Fête, will be showcasing its full gin range at the event.

Winchester Distillery will be launching their newest gin on the day which will mean visitors will be the first people to try the very latest gin to come out of Winchester. Details of the gin are being kept under wraps until the day itself.

Paul Bowler, master distiller and founder of Winchester Distillery said: “I’m launching a new spirit which is my proud tribute to the city of Winchester; seat of King Alfred and the resting place of King Arthur's fabled round table.”

A host of exciting, local gins from across the region will also be at the event including Bombay Sapphire, Conker, Pothecary Gin, Gorilla Spirits, Hiltingbury Still and Isle of Wight Distillery. Visitors will be able to sample new favourites, meet some of the geniuses behind the drinks themselves and perhaps buy a bottle or two to take home with them.

The organisers are also working with Hampshire Fare to bring local food producers to the event, all with a gin theme of course. There will be plenty to try on the day from gin charcuterie to gin jam.

Tickets are priced at £10 per person and include entry to one of two sessions (12pm-2.30pm and 3pm-5.30pm) and a cup of gin punch on arrival. They can be purchased online via www.ginchester.com, at the Tourist Information Centre or at the Cabinet Rooms café.