George Grey's Obelisk

A tall stone obelisk stands in the Hertfordshire countryside east of Barnet, marking the spot where George Grey was murdered in 1662. It's not your average roadside monument - there's genuine drama attached to this one, and the monument itself has a certain austere presence that catches you off guard when you stumble across it.

The obelisk was erected in the 18th century, well after Grey's death, which means someone was still bothered enough by what happened here to commission a permanent marker. The inscription tells the tale, though you'll need to get close to read it properly. It's the kind of thing history enthusiasts will find genuinely moving - a physical reminder that real violence happened on this unremarkable stretch of land.

There's not much to do here beyond standing and reading, mind you. You won't need more than fifteen minutes unless you're keen on photographing it or making rubbings of the inscription. No facilities, no visitor centre, no gift shop. Just the stone and the story.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - The Mimms is closest at 3.8 miles, or Lee Valley camping options if you want something with more amenities - it's a pleasant short drive for a bit of local history. Barnet town itself offers more conventional attractions if the obelisk feels too brief a stop. This works best paired with a walk through the broader countryside rather than as a destination in itself.