Apollo

The Apollo statue stands in Ripon, a modest bronze figure that catches people off guard if they're not looking for it. It's the kind of landmark that doesn't shout about itself - no grand plinth, no tour groups circling round with selfie sticks. Just a thoughtful piece of public art that locals have clearly adopted as part of their town's character.

What you're actually looking at is a relatively contemporary addition to Ripon's landscape, not some ancient Roman relic despite the mythological name. It's worth a quick stop if you're already wandering through the town centre, particularly if you've got an eye for sculpture or you're keen to understand what modern Ripon values enough to install permanently. The statue itself invites closer inspection - there's something about standing in front of it that makes you think about why this particular god, this particular moment, mattered to the town.

Families won't spend hours here, and that's fine. It's a five-minute diversion rather than a destination in itself. History buffs might find it interesting as an example of how contemporary towns choose to represent themselves culturally. Photographers could find decent light depending on the time of day.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Sleningford Watermill is closest at under two miles - you could easily walk into Ripon town centre and take in Apollo along with the market square, the cathedral, and a decent cup of tea. It fits neatly into a morning's exploring rather than demanding dedicated time.