Silver Circle Distillery

The Silver Circle Distillery sits just outside Coleford in deepest Herefordshire, and it's one of those places that catches you slightly by surprise. You're driving through proper countryside - all rolling hills and apple orchards - and suddenly there's a proper working distillery producing spirits in what used to be farm buildings.

What you actually get here is a working glimpse into small-batch spirit production. The distillery operates on a modest scale, and if you time it right, you can watch the actual production happening rather than just looking at gleaming copper through glass. The whole operation feels personal in a way the big commercial distilleries don't. Expect to learn about their process, see the stills doing their thing, and yes, there's tasting involved - that's rather the point.

This works best for adults who appreciate a decent spirit and want to understand how it's made. It's not a day-out-for-the-kids sort of place, though teenagers with an interest might find it interesting. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the full experience with tastings.

The nearest campsite is Doward Park, only 4.9 miles away and highly rated, making this a brilliant spot to base yourself for a few nights exploring the Forest of Dean area. Combine it with walks in the forest, a pint at a proper country pub, and you've got a solid Herefordshire break sorted. It's worth ringing ahead to check opening times and whether tasting sessions are on - this isn't the sort of place that operates rigid theme-park hours.