Mordue Brewery

Head to Mordue Brewery in Whitley Bay and you'll find proper craft beer done properly - none of the pretentious nonsense, just good brewing. The Geordie outfit runs a working brewery where you can watch the process unfold, learn what goes into their ales, and taste what they've made. They do tours, which is where the real value lies. You get to see the copper vessels, understand their approach to hops and water, and crucially, you get to drink the results without paying London prices.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to adults who actually care about their beer. If your partner's keen on hoppy IPAs or traditional ales, this'll be right up their street. Kids will find it boring after about fifteen minutes - there's not much visual excitement beyond shiny tanks and blokes in aprons.

Allow a couple of hours for a proper tour and tasting. Check their website for booking requirements and what they're charging - tours aren't free, but they're reasonable. The brewery sits within easy reach of both Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay Holiday Park and Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, so you could combine it with a coastal break without hassle. Pop in after a morning walk along the coast rather than treating it as your main event - it works better as part of a larger day out than as the sole reason you've come north.