Roughacre Brewery

You'll find Roughacre Brewery tucked away in Suffolk, a proper working brewery that gives you the chance to see how real ale actually gets made rather than just drinking the stuff. The operation isn't massive - it's the kind of place where you can actually talk to the people who brew your pint - but that's rather the point. You get to nose around the brewhouse, watch the process from grain to glass, and taste what comes out the other end. It's genuinely educational without being boring, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

This appeals most to ale enthusiasts and anyone who fancies understanding their drink a bit better, though families with older kids will find it interesting enough for a couple of hours. The nearest proper town is Sudbury, which sits a short drive away and gives you somewhere else to explore if the weather turns.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Cranfield Retreat is excellent for a proper glamping break, while Lake View Lodges offers more traditional lodge comfort - adding a brewery visit makes for a nice afternoon out. It breaks up park time without demanding your whole day. Ring ahead to confirm opening times and whether there's a charge for the tour; independent breweries do their own thing, so details aren't always straightforward. You'll want a couple of hours if they're doing a proper tour with tastings. Worth the detour if you're into beer, less essential if you're not.