Eleanor Cross

The Eleanor Cross in Stamford is one of just three surviving medieval monuments of its kind in England - and standing in front of it, you understand why people have fought to keep them around. Built in the 1290s by Edward I as a memorial to his wife Eleanor of Castile, it's a proper piece of Gothic craftsmanship that catches you off guard when you first spot it on the High Street.

It's not a gallery in the traditional sense. Rather, it's an open-air monument you can study at ground level, which means you can examine the carved stonework and heraldic details whenever you want, though honestly the best light for photography comes late afternoon. The cross stands about 65 feet tall and the restoration work done over the years is evident - but that's not a complaint. Stamford itself is a beautiful stone town, so the Eleanor Cross sits naturally within its surroundings rather than looking out of place.

Historians and architecture enthusiasts will find this genuinely rewarding. It's the sort of thing you'll spend fifteen minutes properly looking at rather than just snapping a photo. Families with older children interested in medieval history will appreciate it more than young kids will, to be honest.

Stamford Meadows Glamping sits just 0.4 miles away, making this an easy walk from your base. The Nest Glamping and Rockingham Forest Park are also within reasonable driving distance if you're plotting a broader holiday taking in the area's stone villages and heritage sites. Best visited when Stamford itself isn't rammed with tourists - spring and autumn suit it well.