Finishing Line - 1902

The Finishing Line memorial in Bexhill-on-Sea marks where the world's first motor race took place in 1902. It's a modest monument on the seafront - not the sort of thing that commands an afternoon on its own, but absolutely worth hunting out if you're staying locally.

The story is the draw here. This stretch of road hosted a 52-mile circuit where drivers pushed early motor cars to their limits, and spectators lined the route in their thousands. The winner, Charles Jarrott, completed it in under two hours. Standing on the spot now, watching modern traffic sail past, you get a genuine sense of how radical this event must have been - a proper landmark moment for motoring.

It's really a stop for enthusiasts rather than a day trip in itself. Motoring history buffs and anyone with a passion for transport will find genuine interest; families with young children might manage five minutes before restlessness sets in. The monument itself is straightforward - atmospheric rather than elaborate.

Bexhill itself has beaches and the De La Warr Pavilion if you want to pad out a visit. Park Holidays UK sits just 1.3 miles away, making it an easy call between the caravan and a quick seafront wander. Combe Haven, 2.3 miles inland, is equally convenient. Early morning is your best bet for photos without the road traffic overwhelming the moment.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow ten to fifteen minutes unless you're genuinely hooked by the history.