Bang the elephant brewery

Bang the Elephant is a working brewery just outside Alfreton that takes its name seriously - the taproom walls are lined with elephant memorabilia, and yes, there's an actual stuffed elephant head watching you drink. It's the kind of place that feels properly independent, run by people who genuinely care about their craft beers rather than chasing trends.

The brewery does tours if you ring ahead, though they're not guaranteed daily, so check their website before you visit. You can buy bottles and cans to take back to your caravan, or sit in the taproom nursing a pint of their own brews - a decent range from pale ales to stouts. The space is informal, a bit rough around the edges, which is exactly the appeal. It's not trying to be Instagram-worthy; it just is.

If you're staying at Golden Valley Caravan Park or Riddings Wood just down the road, this is an easy evening out. Families with older kids might enjoy the oddball charm, though it's really geared toward the drinking crowd rather than children. Allow two hours if you're doing a tour, less if you're just popping in for a drink.

Worth noting: Alfreton itself is a modest market town, so don't expect fancy gastropub food. Bring your own snacks or plan dinner elsewhere. But if you like seeing how small breweries actually operate and drinking something made within five miles of your tent, it's genuinely worth the short drive from your park.