Drinkstone Ales

A working brewery tucked away in Suffolk countryside, Drinkstone Ales sits east of Bury Saint Edmunds and does things properly - small-batch beers made on-site with genuine care for the craft. You'll find a proper brewery tap here, the kind of place where the owner actually knows what they're talking about rather than spouting marketing nonsense.

The appeal is straightforward: if you like decent beer and want to see where it's actually made, this works. The brewery itself is functional rather than flashy, which is refreshing. Expect to learn how they do things, sample the current range, and probably leave with a bottle or two. It's not a massive visitor attraction with heritage tours and gift shops - it's a brewery that welcomes people through the door.

Allow an hour or so if you're taking it seriously, less if you're just popping in for a quick taste. Beer enthusiasts will get the most from a visit, though curious drinkers who fancy seeing the working end of craft brewing will find it worthwhile too. Families with older kids won't be out of place, though it's not geared towards younger children.

Staying at Bright Meadow Caravan Park just 3.3 miles away makes this a handy detour during a park holiday - close enough for an afternoon trip without eating into your day. Apple Mount Retreat is a touch further but still accessible. It's the sort of genuine, unpretentious stop that breaks up a Suffolk week nicely.