Charnwood Brewery

The tap room at Charnwood Brewery sits just outside Loughborough, and if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Midshires Way or High Meadows Farm are both within easy driving distance - it's worth carving out a couple of hours to see what they're brewing. The outfit makes proper cask ales and kegs, and you can usually grab a pint while watching the operation through glass panels that look straight into the brewhouse. It's low-key stuff, nothing fancy. The team are chatty if you ask questions, and they'll walk you through what's on the go that day. Weekday afternoons tend to be quieter than Saturdays, which works well if you want actual conversation rather than shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Admission appears to be free, and you're only paying for what you drink. Three hours would cover a leisurely browse and a couple of pints without rushing. Families with older kids who are into food and drink will find something here, though it's not exactly a play-park situation. The real appeal is for ale drinkers who want to see small-batch production up close - no corporate tour bus vibe, just honest brewing. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, so plan accordingly. If you're doing the holiday park circuit around Leicestershire, this beats the standard pub trip because you're getting the beer at source.