Breweries

We’re raising the bar with seven of our favourite British breweries for a tour and a pint. Hop to it!

- Anna Walker

HOOK NORTON BREWERY

OXFORDSHIRE

With its iconic Victorian tower building and beautiful Cotswold Hills location, Hook Norton might just be the most picture-perfect brewery in Britain. One of just 32 family-owned breweries in the country, beer has been brewed here since 1856.

Enjoy a real taste of history as you encounter the brewery’s four working shire horses—Nelson, Monty, Major and Lucas—out making their local deliveries or take in the working steam engine, driving the brewery machinery just as it has done since 1899.

Says tour guide Malcolm Black, “Enjoy a two-hour tour of our independent, family-owned Victorian tower brewery, renowned for hand-brewed quality real ales brewed on site since 1849. All the products we use are traditional, which you will be able to smell and taste and much of our machinery dates back to 1900. In addition, you’ll be able to see our microbrewery and team of majestic heavy horses.”

NORTHERN MONK

LEEDS

Now in their fifth year of brewing, this Leeds local collaborates with breweries across the North to create some of the most varied and delicious flavours out there: from American style beer to classic British heritage pints.

Says events manager Vik Kastenbauer, “Our 45-minute brewery tour is hosted at The Old Flax Store, our Grade II listed mill in Holbeck—the spiritual heart of the industrial revolution. During the tour, you’ll visit our tap room which is located above the brewery itself, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample three beer tasters.”