Castle Gate

What remains of Southampton's medieval fortifications is barely a whisper now, but Castle Gate still commands a spot in the town centre worth a quick detour. It's essentially a solitary gatehouse - the last standing bit of what was once a proper defensive structure - rising up among the modern shopfronts and pedestrian precincts with an almost stubborn dignity.

You're looking at 14th-century stonework that's survived centuries of urban upheaval, which alone makes it worth ten minutes of your time. History buffs will appreciate the architecture; others might find themselves wondering what the place must have looked like when this was actually the entrance to a walled town. The views from ground level aren't dramatic, but there's something oddly compelling about standing in front of something that old in the middle of what's become a fairly ordinary town.

Castle Gate works best as part of a broader wander around Southampton's medieval remnants rather than a destination in itself. Grab an hour to explore the old town walls and this gate together, then head back toward the waterfront. It's free to look at from outside, though access to the interior varies - worth ringing ahead if you're keen on climbing inside.

If you're based at Mercury Holiday Park or Sunnydale Farm Caravan Park just outside town, this makes an easy afternoon jaunt when the weather's iffy. Not thrilling for young children unless they're genuinely into medieval stuff, but proper Southampton locals know it's worth knowing about.