Courtyard Brewery

The Courtyard Brewery sits just outside Halstead, a proper working operation where you can watch beer being made in real time. It's the kind of place that feels lived-in rather than staged - industrial equipment, the smell of hops, staff who actually know what they're talking about. You'll see the brewing process from grain to glass, and there's usually a shop where you can buy bottles to take back to your caravan. Most visits run about an hour, though you can linger longer if you're into the technical side of things.

This works well for anyone staying at Gosfield Lake Resort - it's barely half a mile away, making it an easy afternoon stop that breaks up the holiday routine without eating into your time. Adults who drink will get far more from it than kids, to be honest. The brewery does tours and tastings, though you'll want to ring ahead or check their website for exact opening times and whether you need to book.

If you're camping further afield - say at Hill Farm or Stocks Farm - it's still worth the drive for a couple of hours. Halstead itself is a modest market town with decent pubs and cafes, so you could easily spend the evening there afterwards. Bring cash if you're buying bottles; some smaller breweries don't take cards.