Riverside Brewery

The Riverside Brewery sits just outside Skegness, a working operation that takes its job seriously. You can actually watch the brewing process happen - proper industrial stuff with tanks and pipework, not theatre for tourists. Most visits involve a tour followed by a tasting session where you get to try what they've actually made onsite. It's the sort of place that appeals to real ale enthusiasts far more than casual drinkers, though anyone with a passing interest in how beer gets made will find it engaging enough for an afternoon.

Timing matters here. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're doing a full tour and tasting - rushing through defeats the purpose entirely. The brewery sells takeaway bottles and cans, which beats buying mass-produced lager from the supermarket. Call ahead first though, as opening hours and tour availability aren't guaranteed year-round, and you'll want to confirm admission costs before you visit.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Grange Farm Campsite is barely half a mile away - this works well as a half-day excursion when the seaside gets soggy. Riverside Caravan Park is equally close. It's the kind of stop that suits families with older kids or adults looking for something beyond the amusement arcades. Skegness itself is only minutes away if you need conventional holiday facilities, but the brewery gives you a reason to see what lies beyond the seafront.