The Emsworth Brewery

The Emsworth Brewery sits right in the heart of this tidy little Hampshire harbour town, and if you're staying at any of the nearby parks - Old Dairy Farm Glamping is practically on the doorstep at 1.4 miles - it's worth a visit on a lazy afternoon. They brew proper English ales here, the sort that taste different depending on what's on tap, and the brewery team actually know what they're talking about rather than just pulling pints.

You get to see how the beer's made, which is more interesting than it sounds when someone's explaining the malting process and you're stood in a room that smells of grain and hops. Most visitors spend an hour, ninety minutes if you're thorough. The whole thing works as a half-day trip - you're only a few minutes from Emsworth's high street, which has decent enough pubs and a few cafes if you fancy something to eat after.

Family groups with older kids will get something out of it, though toddlers might find the tour a bit tedious. Real ale enthusiasts are obviously the main crowd here, but casual drinkers who fancy learning why their pint costs what it does will find it worthwhile. If you're camping at Mill Rythe Coastal Village or Hayling Island Holiday Park - both within easy striking distance - this makes a good rainy-day activity or a break from the beach routine.

Worth checking their website or ringing ahead for opening hours and whether there's an entrance fee. Some breweries do tours by appointment only.