Bedlington Dog Sign

You'll find it on the outskirts of Ashington - a life-sized concrete dog standing guard over the town like some sort of four-legged sentinel. The Bedlington Dog Sign is exactly what it sounds: a monument to the breed that put this corner of Northumberland on the map. Built in the 1980s, it's become the sort of landmark locals are oddly proud of, even if visitors often do a double-take when they first spot it.

The dog itself is unremarkable in the best possible way. It's not trying to be clever or ironic - just a straightforward representation of a Bedlington Terrier, complete with that distinctive woolly coat the breed's famous for. You can walk right up to it, snap a photo, and be on your way in five minutes flat. Kids find it amusing enough, though it won't hold their attention unless they're genuinely interested in local heritage or dog breeds.

This is the sort of stop that works brilliantly if you're based at Tranwell Farm Holidays or Parkdean Resorts Church Point - both just a few miles away - and fancy a quick drive out to tick off something genuinely quirky. It's free, always accessible, and gives you a genuine sense of place. Don't come expecting grand sculptures or interpretive centres. Come for the oddness, the local character, and because sometimes the most honest monuments are the simplest ones.