UPPER SWELL GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Brewing by the River: Inside Donnington’s Waterwheel-Powered Tower Brewery
A one-hour guided Friday tour that lifts the lid on Donnington Brewery’s historic, waterwheel-driven brewhouse and finishes with a complimentary tasting and glass.
Brewing by the River: Inside Donnington’s Waterwheel-Powered Tower Brewery.
Perched a mile from Stow-on-the-Wold in the heart of the Cotswolds, Donnington Brewery invites visitors into a 158-year story of craft and waterpower — the only operating brewery that still uses a waterwheel to run its original equipment. For the first time in its history the brewhouse is open for guided tours, tracing the process from raw ingredients to the tasting room and offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at an entirely traditional operation.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
158 Years of Brewing — Powered by a Waterwheel
Donnington is singular: the brewery still operates original equipment powered by its waterwheel. The tour places that living history at center stage, revealing a working tower brewery kept true to its origins.
From Raw Ingredients to a Pour
The guided route follows the traditional brewing stages inside the historic brewhouse, concluding with a tasting of the finished beer served in a complimentary Donnington glass.
A Cotswold Tower Brewery Beside the Lake
Set a mile from Stow-on-the-Wold, the brewery’s lake feeds into the River Dickler and frames a short, concentrated visit that pairs industrial heritage with rural landscape.
What the day feels like
What the Tour Feels Like
The tour is compact and purposeful: over the course of roughly an hour you move from the entrance through the working stages of the brewhouse, observe the waterwheel in action, and end with a guided tasting. It’s a focused, behind-the-scenes experience that combines mechanical curiosity with tasting notes and local context.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this visit suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Wear sensible footwear; no sandals or high heels. If you have very young children who will be in arms, bring a baby carrier.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Donnington Brewery tour?
The tour lasts approximately one hour.
When do tours run?
Tours run every Friday with departures at 11am and 2pm.
Where do I meet for the tour?
The tour starts and ends at the entrance to the Brewery; free parking is available in the brewery car park at the entrance.
Are children allowed on the tour?
Young adults ages 13 and up are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. For younger children please call to discuss; the operator requests a maximum of two children per adult.
Are there accessibility restrictions?
Yes — the brewery has many steep steps and the operator is unable to receive people with mobility problems on the tours.
Will there be a tasting?
Yes — the tour finishes with a tasting of the finished product and a complimentary Donnington glass.