Guy of Warwick

Standing 58 feet tall on a hill overlooking Warwick, this massive Victorian statue commemorates one of England's most legendary medieval heroes. Guy of Warwick cuts an imposing figure against the skyline - a bronze warrior in full armour gazing across the Warwickshire countryside he supposedly defended from Danish invaders over a thousand years ago.

History buffs will appreciate the backstory, even if much of Guy's tale belongs more to romance than reality. According to legend, this Saxon earl performed incredible feats including slaying a fearsome dragon and defeating a Danish giant in single combat. The Victorians loved a good medieval yarn, hence this whopping great monument erected in 1879.

Families with older children who don't mind a steep walk will enjoy the climb up Guy's Cliffe. Little ones might find the trek a bit much, though the views over Warwick and the River Avon make it worthwhile. The statue itself is free to visit year-round, and you can easily combine it with a trip to Warwick Castle just down the road.

If you're staying at Knight's Village at Warwick Castle or the Warwick Racecourse site nearby, it's a proper easy addition to your itinerary. Allow about an hour for the walk up and back, longer if you fancy a picnic with those cracking views.