Cecilia Helena Payne

The astronomer Cecilia Helena Payne spent her final years in Wendover, a village just outside Tring in Buckinghamshire - though you won't find a grand museum or visitor centre here. What you get instead is the chance to walk where one of science's most consequential figures lived, and to understand why her story matters.

Payne revolutionised astronomy in the 1920s by discovering that stars are made mainly of hydrogen and helium. A proper breakthrough. Yet she spent decades fighting for recognition in a male-dominated field, and her work was often credited to others. The Wendover connection is quieter than you might expect - it's more about paying respects than gawping at exhibits.

This appeals most to science history enthusiasts and anyone curious about why women's contributions to physics remained hidden for so long. Kids might find it abstract unless they're already interested in astronomy. Allow an hour to visit and reflect - it's contemplative rather than action-packed.

Admission details are thin on the ground, so contact Wendover News directly before making the trip. The real value comes from pairing a visit with the Chiltern countryside. Hill Farm Camping, just 1.9 miles away, gives you a proper base for exploring the area, while Chiltern Yurts (5.2 miles) offers something more unusual if you fancy glamping. Use Tring as your supply town - decent pubs and shops there.

Worth the detour if you're into overlooked history. Otherwise, it's more of a quiet pilgrimage than a main attraction.