Accrington's Lydia Becker helped shape Charles Darwin's ideas... now inspiring a special Lancashire gin

A pioneering discovery from Altham, Accrington is inspiring a modern creation. Moorside Craft Gin, handcrafted in Lancashire, draws its roots from the groundbreaking work of Lydia Becker, the suffragist and botanist who grew up at Moorside House and her correspondence with Charles Darwin.

In 1863, Becker wrote to Darwin from Altham, sending him flowers (Lychnis dioica – now known as Red Campion) she had found in the local woods.

Her observations of these bisexual flowers challenged conventional ideas about male and female roles in plants, a concept that fascinated Darwin and contributed to his research on plant reproduction.

Lydia was also an accomplished author and artist. She wrote Botany for Novices: The Natural System of Classification of Plants, a book designed to simplify botany for everyone without complicated scientific language, which she also sent to Darwin.

You can read Botany for Novices here: https://www.moorsidehouse.com/lydia-becker/

Some of her original botanical paintings survive at Moorside House today, most notably on door panels depicting Chrysanthemum-like plants. These artworks reflect her passion for making nature accessible and beautiful.

The gin itself is best served with flowers, particularly Chrysanthemums, directly inspired by Lydia’s artwork and botanical expertise. It has been launched alongside The Series of Silence, a gothic thriller saga set in Moorside House. The first two books, The Silence We Hide and The Silence We Share, are now available.

Kelly-Ann Groves, author, said: “Charles Darwin was already questioning strict male and female roles in nature, and Lydia’s letters and her flowers supported his revolutionary thinking.

“Her botanical paintings also show how she brought nature to life through art and we want to honour that legacy with Moorside Craft Gin.”

To buy Moorside Craft Gin, visit: http://www.moorsidehouse.com/

You can order the Paperback, Kindle Edition and Audiobook of books one and two of The Series of Silence on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1919224513