Nene Valley Brewery

The smell hits you first when you walk into Nene Valley Brewery - that proper hoppy, malty aroma that tells you this is the real thing, not some corporate operation. Based just outside Peterborough, this is a working brewery where you can actually see the kit doing its job, watch the brewing process happen, and taste what comes out the other end. They're open Friday afternoons from 4pm and all day Saturday, which works well if you're camping nearby at Castle Farm or Brightside.

It's worth going if you care about beer. They're a small independent outfit making proper ales rather than mass-produced lager, and the staff know what they're talking about. You're not there for theatrical tours or gimmicks - you're there because you want to understand how a real brewery operates and sample something made locally. Families with older kids who don't mind spending an hour or so in an industrial setting will be fine; younger children might find it a bit dull after twenty minutes unless they're genuinely interested in how things work.

Allow a couple of hours if you want to settle in, chat with the brewers, and try a few things properly. The opening hours are fairly limited, so plan ahead - Friday evening or Saturday morning work best. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks, it's a handy indoor option when the weather turns, and it connects nicely with exploring the quieter side of Northamptonshire rather than the usual park circuit.