Edgar Tower

You'll spot Edgar Tower the moment you arrive in Worcester's cathedral close - a stubby, sturdy bit of Norman masonry that's been standing guard since the 12th century. It's what remains of the old cathedral gate, and honestly, it's quite modest. The tower itself is compact, almost squat, with those thick stone walls that medieval builders knew how to get right.

What makes it worth a stop is the sheer history crammed into such a small footprint. This was the entrance to the bishop's castle back when Worcester actually mattered as a stronghold. You can walk right up to it - it's free, naturally, just plonked in the middle of the city - and the scale of it tells you something about medieval priorities. Defence over comfort, clearly.

History nerds will find it genuinely interesting, particularly if you're already pottering around the cathedral and the riverside. Kids will get bored in about ten minutes, which is fine because you're not meant to spend long here anyway. It's a five-minute detour, a photo stop, a bit of context for what Worcester was like 900 years ago.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Peachley Caravan and Camping is closest at 3.4 miles - make this part of a morning walk around the city centre. Pair it with the cathedral itself and maybe a coffee in one of the high street cafes. It's not the sort of thing you plan a day around, but it's exactly the sort of thing that makes a holiday feel properly curious.