Dorset Piddle Brewery

The Piddle Brewery sits just outside Dorchester, and yes, the name is real - it's named after the River Piddle that runs through the area. This is a proper working brewery where you can watch the process and taste what they've made, which beats sitting in yet another chain pub. The brewery does tours and tastings, though I'd ring ahead to check what's on when you visit - they're not always running the full schedule.

It's ideal if you're into actual beer rather than lager lager lager. The staff know their stuff and won't patronise you if you ask daft questions. The tasting room feels unpretentious - the sort of place locals genuinely pop into, not somewhere done up for Instagram. You're looking at a couple of hours maximum, which suits a rainy afternoon break during a park holiday.

Getting here from Green Valley Yurts or Parkdean Warmwell is straightforward - Dorchester is only a short drive away, and you might as well wander the town's Roman walls while you're at it. The brewery itself is walkable from the town centre if you fancy the stretch. Their range changes seasonally, so what you'll taste depends on when you visit. It's free to have a look around if you're just popping in, though tastings and tours cost properly - worth it though if you're bothered about the difference between a decent pale ale and the usual stuff.