Eleanor Cross, Geddington

The Eleanor Cross stands in the middle of Geddington village like a stone declaration of medieval grief. Built in 1294, this is one of only three surviving crosses from Edward I's mourning route - erected to mark where his wife's coffin rested on its journey from Lincoln to Westminster. It's a proper piece of history, all intricate stonework and weathered detail, rising up surrounded by nothing much more dramatic than a village green and a few cottages.

What you actually get is about ten minutes of standing around looking at it, reading the plaques, taking photos from different angles. The craftsmanship rewards closer inspection - the carved heads and heraldic shields still show detail despite seven centuries of English weather. It's the kind of thing that works best if you're already interested in medieval England or Edward I's reign. Casual visitors might find themselves thinking "right, lovely, what's next?" after a couple of minutes.

Geddington is barely a village, just off the A14 near Kettering, so you're really only stopping here as part of something bigger. It pairs well with a caravan holiday at one of the nearby parks - Northfield Farm is only four miles away, and Brightside is under six. This works as a quiet midweek diversion between larger attractions, not as a destination in itself. Free to visit, always accessible. Go on an overcast day when the stone photographs better.