Bedlington Old Market Cross

Standing in the centre of Bedlington, this stone cross is one of those landmarks that stops you mid-stride. It's a proper bit of local heritage - the kind of thing that's been watching over the town square for centuries, weathered and solid. Market crosses were where towns did their business, their trading, their gossiping. This one's no different in that respect, though nowadays it's more of a focal point for locals cutting through the high street than a hive of commercial activity.

It's the sort of spot history buffs will want to photograph and understand the context of, though families with young kids might find a five-minute stop sufficient unless you're really into the wider story of Northumberland's industrial heritage. There's no admission fee - you can walk up to it whenever you like, which is the best kind of public monument. Allow fifteen minutes if you're properly interested, five if you're just passing through on the way to Ashington.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks - Parkdean Resorts Sandy Bay is closest at under four miles away, or Tranwell Farm Holidays if you want something smaller - this makes for a straightforward morning wander before heading to bigger attractions in the region. It's the kind of stop that anchors you to a place, gives you a sense of what Bedlington actually is rather than just driving through it. Worth the detour if you're exploring the area properly.