James Wolfe

The James Wolfe monument sits on a quiet stretch of Greenwich Peninsula, a modest stone obelisk marking where the British general lived before his famous victory at Quebec in 1759. Most visitors walk straight past it without noticing, which is rather the point - there's no visitor centre, no cafeteria, no interpretation boards telling you what to think. Just a simple memorial in a park that gets you as close as you'll get to understanding the man without actually reading a biography.

Wolfe died in that Quebec battle, aged just 32, which is probably why he's remembered as this romantic figure rather than examined too closely. The monument itself isn't going to take your breath away - it's the sort of thing you'd find in any London park - but the location matters. Greenwich's riverside walk is genuinely pleasant, and if you're already in the area visiting the Observatory or the Cutty Sark, it's worth a five-minute detour.

Historically minded adults will appreciate the context more than anyone else. Kids will be bored after thirty seconds. There's no cost and no opening hours to worry about - it's a public park, so access is free and unrestricted.

If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping just down the road, this could slot neatly into a wider Greenwich afternoon. The real draw remains the riverside walks and the better-known attractions, but the Wolfe monument adds a layer of colour if you're the type who enjoys spotting these minor historical markers.