Hick's Lodge

You'll find Hick's Lodge standing as a proper landmark on the Leicestershire landscape, a solid brick structure that's been a point of reference for walkers and locals for generations. It's the sort of place you pass, stop, and think - right, I know where I am now. The lodge itself dates back centuries and carries the weight of real history without the tourist board gloss.

This works best for walkers tackling routes through the area or history buffs keen on Leicestershire's lesser-known heritage. Swadlincote sits nearby, making it an easy waypoint if you're exploring the East Midlands. The lodge isn't a destination that'll eat up hours - more a satisfying spot to mark on a walk, catch your breath, and appreciate the local landscape as it's been for decades.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Conkers is your closest option at just 1.6 miles away, with Fire & Stars Woodland Camping pulling in high marks for those after something more atmospheric - you could easily work Hick's Lodge into a ramble. Broadleaves Glamping, four miles distant and rated five stars, offers a grander base if you're treating yourself.

Bring a camera but don't expect visitor facilities. The real appeal is standing there and feeling the continuity of the landscape, the way locals have used this reference point for centuries. It's unglamorous and honest, which is exactly what makes it work.