British Thomson-Houston Co Ltd War Memorial

There's a rather moving industrial memorial tucked away near Rugby that most people drive straight past without noticing. The British Thomson-Houston Co Ltd War Memorial commemorates the employees of this engineering works who fell during the world wars - a quiet tribute to workers who made shells and components whilst their colleagues fought overseas.

It's not a grand affair. What you get is a solid stone monument in what was once the heart of the company's manufacturing site, with names carved into it and the sort of dignity you find in workplace memorials across Britain. The setting is quite industrial, so don't expect manicured gardens or visitor facilities. This one's for people who either have a connection to the company's history or those interested in how the Midlands' manufacturing heritage shaped the nation during wartime.

The whole thing takes five minutes to view, twenty if you're reading every name. Free to visit, though there's no formal visitor information available. You won't need to plan a trip specifically for this - it's more of a stop-off if you're in the Rugby area exploring the region's industrial past.

If you're basing yourself at one of the caravan parks nearby - Meadow Field Luxury Glamping and Manor Farm Caravanning are both within three miles - it's worth a quick detour to understand what drove the local economy during the 20th century. Pairs well with a visit to Stanford Hall down the road if you want to see how the other half lived.