Saffron Brewery

The Saffron Brewery sits just outside Dunmow, a working operation where you can watch beer being made from grain to glass. It's the sort of place where you actually learn something - the brewers explain their process without making it feel like a school trip, and you get to taste what they've made at the end.

The brewery itself is fairly industrial, which some find appealing and others less so. If you're into craft beer or the mechanics of brewing, you'll get a solid hour out of it. Kids under twelve tend to get restless after twenty minutes, though the gift shop usually keeps them occupied for another ten.

You'll want to ring ahead to check opening hours and whether tours need booking - brewery schedules shift with the seasons. Admission varies depending on what you choose, but most visits include a tasting, which adds value. Come mid-week if you can; weekends draw the school groups.

For a glamping holiday in the area, this works well as a half-day detour. Dairymeade Farm Glamping is under three miles away, making it convenient if you fancy a proper beer after the tour rather than going straight back to your accommodation. Hidden Gem Glamping is a touch further out but still reasonable. The brewery pairs nicely with walking around Dunmow itself - grab lunch in town, do the brewery, then head back to your accommodation. Not unmissable, but worth the stop if beer interests you.