Wye Valley Brewery

Real ales brewed in a proper working brewery just outside Hereford - this isn't some tourist trap with plastic fermenting tanks and a gift shop. You can watch the brewing process through viewing windows and smell the hops from the moment you walk in. The guided tours run most weekdays and explain everything from grain to glass, though you'll need to ring ahead to check times.

Beer enthusiasts will love the tasting sessions where you can sample their full range, including the flagship Butty Bach bitter that's become a Herefordshire institution. The shop stocks bottles to take away, plus they do growler fills if you've brought your own container. Not really one for the kids though - there's nothing to keep them occupied while you're learning about malt extraction.

Tours last about an hour and cost a few pounds, but that includes your tasting flight. Friday afternoons tend to be quieter than midweek mornings when the brewing's in full swing. Skip Sundays entirely as they're closed.

Perfect addition to a holiday park break in the area. Brook House Woods and The Shires Park are both under three miles away, making it an easy afternoon trip for the adults while the children have a rest back at base. Much better than driving into Hereford city centre for a pint.