Elba Monument

Standing rather solemnly in Kendal's town centre, this granite obelisk commemorates Napoleon's exile to the island of Elba in 1814 - a somewhat unexpected memorial to find in the Westmorland countryside. The monument itself is modest but well-maintained, erected by local subscription in the Victorian era when Napoleon's story still gripped the public imagination.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the backstory more than the monument itself, which takes all of five minutes to view and photograph. The inscription details Napoleon's brief sojourn on Elba before his dramatic return during the Hundred Days.

Frankly, it's one for the completists rather than a destination in its own right. You'll likely stumble across it while exploring Kendal's market streets rather than making a special trip. The real draw here is the town itself - proper Lakeland market town with excellent outdoor shops and that famous mint cake.

Families staying at nearby sites like Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club or Kendal's various parks will find it handy as part of a town wander, perhaps combined with Kendal Castle ruins up the hill for a more substantial historical outing. Children might be more impressed by the castle's crumbling walls than this rather austere monument, but it's a nice bit of unexpected history in an otherwise practical shopping stop.