Duke of Wellington

The Duke of Wellington statue stands in one of London's most trafficked spots, and honestly, it's easy to walk straight past without noticing. Cast in bronze and positioned near Hyde Park Corner, this monument to one of Britain's most celebrated military commanders has watched over the capital since 1828. It's the sort of thing you'd visit deliberately rather than stumble upon accidentally.

What you're looking at is a fairly imposing equestrian sculpture - the Duke mounted and facing down Piccadilly. The detail in the horse alone makes it worth a proper look, and the surrounding parkland gives you breathing space from the traffic chaos. History enthusiasts will appreciate standing where countless Londoners have done the same for nearly two centuries. Kids might find it mildly interesting for five minutes, but there's not much interaction to be had.

It's free, obviously, and takes as long as you want - though most people spend 10 to 15 minutes actually taking it in. Go early morning if you're after a decent photo without crowds of tourists blocking the view. The real value is as a stopping point during a broader walk through central London rather than a destination in itself.

If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping, you're about 8 miles south of here - feasible for a day trip into town, though you'd be better off combining it with proper exploration of Hyde Park or the museums nearby. On its own, it's atmospheric but brief.