Silver Circle Distillery

You'll find Silver Circle tucked away near Lydney, and it's the sort of place that actually makes sense when you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - proper excuse for a proper drink. They make gin and other spirits here, and the whole operation has that independent craft feel rather than the industrial tourist trap you might be dreading.

The distillery itself is open weekdays and Saturdays from 11 to 6, though admission costs aren't listed on the website so ring ahead to check - it's either free or a tenner, which frankly makes all the difference to whether it's worth the drive. If they charge, you'll likely get a tasting thrown in. You're looking at about 90 minutes if you want to nose around properly and actually chat to someone who knows what they're talking about rather than being herded through like cattle.

This works best for proper gin enthusiasts or anyone who actually enjoys a good spirit conversation. Kids will tolerate it for maybe half an hour before the glossy eyes set in. The Forest and Wye Valley site is only 3.7 miles away, which means you can stay put for the weekend without needing your car - walk it off along the river after if you're feeling virtuous. Worth slotting into a Forest of Dean holiday if you've got drinkers in your group, otherwise it's a bit of a specialist visit. Check their website first; they occasionally run distillery events that might be worth timing your trip around.