Summerskills Brewery

The smell hits you first when you walk into Summerskills - that proper warm, yeasty aroma that only a working brewery can produce. It's on the outskirts of Plymouth, and honestly, it's the kind of place that rewards a detour if you're into beer or just fancy something different to do on a rainy Devon afternoon.

You're looking at a small independent operation where they actually brew on site. Tours tend to include a walk through the production area where you can see the kit doing its thing, followed by a tasting session where you get to try their range. They make a solid selection of ales and lagers - nothing too experimental, but well-executed stuff that tastes like proper Devon beer should taste.

Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the full experience with a tour and a proper sit-down in their tap room. The crowd here skews towards genuine beer enthusiasts rather than stag parties looking for novelty, which keeps the vibe relaxed. Kids can tag along, though it's not really set up as a family destination - parents might find it a bit dull for under-tens.

If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes just up the road, this works well as an evening activity when you want to get off site for a couple of hours. Check their website for tour times and whether you need to book ahead - they're not always running scheduled visits. Worth ringing ahead rather than turning up on spec.