Franciscan Friary

The ruins of this medieval Franciscan monastery sit quietly on the outskirts of Burton-on-Trent, easy to miss if you're not looking for them. What remains are the footprints of a once-thriving religious community - fragmentary stone walls, fallen arches, and enough archaeological evidence to keep history buffs occupied for a good hour or so.

It's the sort of place that rewards a slow walk rather than a rushed visit. You'll find yourself piecing together how the friars lived here centuries ago, working out where the dormitories stood, tracing the outline of the church. The surrounding landscape matters too - the fields and trees give you a sense of how isolated it once was, before the town sprawled outward.

Not one for young children after ten minutes, to be honest. There's no interpretation centre, no reconstructions, just stones and your imagination. But if you're the type who enjoys wandering monastic ruins and reading old guidebooks, you'll find it genuinely rewarding.

If you're camped at Cannock Chase Camping & Caravanning Club Site nearby, this makes an easy afternoon detour on the way to or from Burton. Access details are thin on the ground online, so your best bet is checking with Burton tourism or phoning ahead to confirm current access. The site appears to be free to visit, though conditions may vary. Allow an hour to do it justice, ideally in decent light so you can actually see what's what among the stones.