First turnpike house

The First Turnpike House near Hertford is one of those historical oddities that stops you mid-walk and makes you actually think about how roads used to work. Built in the 18th century, it's a modest brick structure that once served as a toll booth - the first of its kind on what became the Great North Road. You'll find it standing rather quietly by the roadside, a tangible reminder of when travelling meant paying your way through the countryside, toll gate by toll gate.

It's not a grand affair. There's no gift shop, no café, no dramatic stories of highwaymen (though the era certainly had them). What you get instead is the real thing - a building that functioned as administrative infrastructure rather than a showpiece. That appeals to history buffs and anyone interested in transport history, far more than casual passers-by. You can view it from the outside easily enough, though access details are thin on the ground, so ring ahead or check locally in Hertford before making the journey.

Give yourself twenty minutes here, half an hour if you're reading about the turnpike system and want to photograph it properly. It pairs well with a broader ramble around the Hertfordshire countryside. If you're camping at nearby Toad Abode or the Hertford Camping and Caravanning Club Site, this works as a decent afternoon detour rather than a destination in itself. Walkers heading north through the area will find it genuinely interesting; families with young children might find it a bit static.