Bardwell Windmill

A proper Suffolk windmill that actually works - that's the draw here. Bardwell's a Grade II listed tower mill built in 1821, and it sits on the edge of the village like something from a Constable painting, minus the tourist crowds. The white tower catches the light beautifully, especially on a clear afternoon when you can see it turning if the wind's up. Inside, if you can get access (it's privately owned and open only occasionally for tours), you'll find the original machinery still in place - the sort of industrial archaeology that speaks volumes about 19th-century engineering.

Really it's a stop-off rather than a full destination. Ten minutes looking at the exterior, a photo or two, then you're done. History buffs will appreciate the craftsmanship and the fact it's maintained rather than left to rot. The setting's peaceful - proper rural Suffolk with flat fields rolling away. It's not going to captivate young kids for long, but walkers heading through the area from Diss will find it worth a detour.

Head there midweek if you want peace. The nearest proper bases are Arthur's Retreat, a decent motorhome site just over three miles away, or Bright Meadow Caravan Park if you're after something slightly larger. Both let you explore the windmill as part of a wider ramble through the quieter corners of East Anglia. Check ahead for tour dates - opening times aren't fixed.