Curly Wurly

The name alone stops you in your tracks. Curly Wurly is a historic site in Northamptonshire with a backstory as unusual as its title suggests, located just a short drive from Northampton town centre. The exact nature of what draws visitors here remains somewhat mysterious - local knowledge is your best friend when tracking this one down, as visitor information online is thin on the ground.

What makes it worth a detour depends entirely on what you're after. If you're the type who enjoys piecing together obscure local history and doesn't mind a bit of detective work, you'll find something genuinely curious here. It's not a major draw that'll eat up half your day, but as a quick stop-off while exploring Northamptonshire's quieter corners, it has genuine appeal.

Staying at one of the nearby parks - Billing Aquadrome is your closest option at just 2.5 miles away, with several others within five miles including Sywell Country Park and Overstone Lakes - gives you easy access to hunt this place down. You're within striking distance of proper countryside exploration too, so combine it with a proper walk if you're in the area.

Before you go, ring ahead or check locally. Opening hours and admission details aren't widely advertised, which adds to the mystery but means you'll want to confirm access first. It's the sort of place that rewards curiosity, though perhaps not everyone's cup of tea.