National Perry Pear Centre

The National Perry Pear Centre sits just outside Newent and does exactly what it says on the tin - celebrates perry pears with the kind of dedication you'd normally reserve for something genuinely exciting. But here's the thing: it's actually rather good.

You'll find yourself wandering through orchards planted with dozens of perry pear varieties, many of which you've never heard of and couldn't grow anywhere else. The centre explains the difference between cider apples and perry pears in ways that make sense, and if you catch them during pressing season, you can watch the whole process unfold. The tasting room is where it gets properly interesting - perry tastes nothing like cider, drier and more floral, and the centre lets you work through several without pretending you're some sort of expert.

It's ideal for anyone with a genuine interest in orcharding, local agriculture, or the kind of booze-related history that actually matters. Families won't find much to keep young kids occupied for more than an hour, though teenagers fascinated by food production might surprise you. The walk through the orchards themselves is gentle and low-key rather than dramatic.

Based at Pelerine Caravan & Camping Site just down the road, you could combine this with a proper exploration of the Gloucestershire countryside. Allow a couple of hours if you're serious about it, less if you're just passing through. Go between September and November when they're actually making perry - any other time and you're basically looking at an orchard.