Hobsons Brewery

Hobsons is a proper working brewery right on the edge of Kidderminster, and if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Lodge Coppice is practically on the doorstep - it's worth factoring in a visit. The brewery has been knocking out real ales since 1993, and you can actually see the operation in action rather than just buying a pint from a shop shelf.

What you get is a genuine look at small-scale brewing. Tours show you the lot: the mash tuns, the copper, the fermentation tanks. Staff know their stuff and won't bore you with jargon if you don't want it. The beers themselves are solid - nothing fancy or trying too hard, just well-made ales that taste how ales should. Their flagship Town Crier is the one you'll find most often, but they rotate specials through the year.

It's best suited to actual beer enthusiasts rather than casual drinkers. If your kids are under ten, they'll likely lose interest after twenty minutes. If they're older and you're keen on the subject, they'll get more from it.

The brewery sits in open countryside between Kidderminster and Tenbury Wells, so it works well as a detour if you're exploring the wider area. Combine it with a walk round the surrounding farmland or a stop in Tenbury itself - the town's got charm and a decent market on Thursdays. Check opening hours and tour availability before you head over; they're not always running scheduled visits. Entry isn't free but it's reasonable, and you usually get a drink included.