Cooper King Distillery

The smell hits you first - that warm grain and vanilla tang that tells you something proper is happening inside these converted farm buildings just outside York. Cooper King Distillery produces gin and vodka on a small scale, and they let you watch the whole process unfold through the working distillery floor. You'll see the copper stills doing their thing, learn what actually separates a decent gin from a mediocre one, and taste the results without any pretension.

The tasting room is where most people spend their time, and rightfully so. Their gin is genuinely good - not trying too hard, which you'll appreciate if you've been dragged around other trendy distilleries. A visit takes about two hours if you do the tour properly, longer if you're settling in for afternoon drinks.

Families with teenagers who don't mind a bit of alcohol education will get something out of this. Adults who actually care about spirits rather than Instagram backdrops will love it. If you're staying at York Meadows or Ravensdale Glamping just down the road, it's an easy afternoon activity that doesn't require booking the whole day around.

Check their website before you go - opening hours and whether tours need advance booking aren't always obvious. It's worth the short drive from York proper, and beats another lap of the city walls. Bring cash if you're planning to buy a bottle.