Great cornard, historic oak

The ancient oak standing in Great Cornard, just outside Sudbury, is one of those stops that takes five minutes but stays with you. It's genuinely old - we're talking medieval old, possibly older - and there's something properly humbling about standing next to a tree that's been here longer than most villages have existed.

You won't need more than a quick visit unless you're really into dendrochronology, but it's the sort of landmark worth a slight detour if you're exploring the Sudbury area anyway. The tree sits where you'd expect it to, accessible without fuss, and it makes for a good photo if that's your thing. History types will appreciate the weight of it; families with restless kids might find ten minutes is about right before everyone's ready to move on.

Grouping this with a stay at one of the nearby parks makes sense. Cranfield Retreat and Lake View Lodges are both within five miles, so you could easily pop over from either base. Polstead Country Park, also close by, offers proper walking if you want to make a day of it in the area. The Suffolk countryside around here is gentle and rolling rather than dramatic, which suits it fine.

Free to visit, no opening hours to worry about - it's just there, unchanging. Worth ten minutes of your time if you're passing through, but don't reorganise your whole itinerary around it.