Hattie Jacques / John Le Mesurier

The blue plaques marking homes of Hattie Jacques and John Le Mesurier in Birchington aren't tourist attractions in the conventional sense - they're quiet reminders that two of British comedy's finest lived ordinary lives in this Kent coastal town. Jacques, the formidable Matron from Carry On films, and Le Mesurier, the deadpan genius behind Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army, both called this place home. You won't find visitor centres or gift shops. Instead, you get the genuine pleasure of a pilgrimage - spotting the plaques on residential streets and imagining these legends pottering about the seafront.

It's the sort of thing that appeals to people who actually watched their films rather than just heard about them. Comedy buffs and classic telly enthusiasts will appreciate the connection, even if it amounts to standing outside a house for five minutes. The town itself is perfectly pleasant for a stroll, with sea views and decent chip shops, so it's not wasted time.

If you're basing yourself at Birchington Vale Holiday Park or The Foxhunter Park for a quieter Kent break, hunting down these plaques makes for a gentle afternoon activity. Don't expect much fanfare - just the satisfaction of paying respects to two performers who made millions laugh. Birchington's modest charm works in its favour here. This is heritage without the heritage site nonsense.