Community bollard: Roman Winchester

Winchester's Roman past is literally underfoot - and the Community Bollard gallery makes that brilliantly tangible. What started as a simple street furniture project became an unexpected showcase of the city's Anglo-Roman heritage, with bollards decorated to tell the story of life here nearly 2,000 years ago. You'll spot them dotted around the city centre, each one a small work of art featuring artefacts, faces, and scenes from Roman Winchester.

It's genuinely clever - the sort of thing that makes you look at your surroundings differently as you walk. History types will appreciate the archaeological accuracy; kids find it a good spot-the-bollard game. The whole thing costs nothing and requires no planning - just wander Winchester's streets with your eyes open.

Timing-wise, you can take it at your own pace. Some people spend twenty minutes hunting them down, others make it part of a longer city centre stroll. Early morning or late afternoon tends to be quieter if you want proper photos without crowds.

For a caravan holiday in the area, Holden Farm (5.2 miles out) offers the best facilities and sits well-placed for exploring Winchester's Roman attractions alongside the cathedral and high street. Hookpit Farm (3.5 miles) is also solid if you want something a touch closer to town. Both make Winchester itself easily accessible for this sort of cultural wandering - exactly what a rainy afternoon or early morning exploration works best for.