Hobson's Monument

Hobson's Monument stands on a modest mound just east of Cambridge, a stolid stone pillar commemorating one of the city's most eccentric characters. The monument itself is relatively unspectacular - a rectangular obelisk surrounded by a small iron fence - but the history backing it is genuinely odd. Thomas Hobson was a 16th-century livery stable keeper who became something of a local legend for his refusal to let customers choose their own horse. You took the mount nearest the door or you didn't ride at all. Hence 'Hobson's choice' - the phrase still used today for a situation with no real alternative.

It's the sort of place that appeals to local history buffs and Cambridge academics more than casual tourists. Walkers heading out from the city centre will find it a reasonable ramble, probably 30 minutes or so on foot from the market square, though frankly the walk is more interesting than the destination itself. The monument sits in open countryside which has its own appeal - proper Cambridge fenland rather than manicured college grounds.

Free to visit, obviously. There's no visitor infrastructure whatsoever, so don't expect refreshments or facilities. Spring and summer are best when the surrounding fields are green. If you're based at Cambridge Cherry Hinton or Bounds C&CC sites, it's within easy reach for a half-morning excursion. Worth it only if you're already exploring the Cambridge fringe and fancy stretching your legs beyond the colleges. Otherwise, it's a bit thin for a dedicated trip.