Concrete Cow Day

Milton Keynes has a reputation for being utterly soulless, and then you stumble across the Concrete Cow - a life-size fibreglass sculpture that's somehow become the city's most beloved landmark. It sits in Campbell Park, a proper escape from the grid-planned monotony, and it's genuinely worth a quick visit if you're camped at Gullivers or Adventurer's Village nearby.

The cow itself is absurd in the best way possible. Created in 1978 as public art, it was meant to be temporary but locals kicked up such a fuss when they tried to remove it that it stayed put. Now it's iconic - locals bring their kids to climb on it, couples pose for selfies, and it's become the symbol of Milton Keynes' slightly off-kilter charm. The surrounding park is leafy and pleasant, with proper walking routes if you fancy stretching your legs beyond the cow itself.

It's free, obviously, and takes about twenty minutes to see properly - grab a photo, let the kids clamber around, read the plaque. The real draw is that it's a bit silly and honest about it. No pretence. If you're staying at one of the campsites within a mile, it's an easy walk or short drive. Worth combining with a wander through Campbell Park itself, especially on a decent day. Don't expect profundity - just a fiberglass monument to 1970s optimism and a town that refuses to take itself seriously.