John Clare Memorial

The memorial to John Clare sits quietly in Cambridgeshire, a tribute to one of England's most underrated poets. Clare spent much of his life in this corner of the Midlands, and the site marks his connection to a landscape he wrote about with genuine feeling - not the romanticised pastoral nonsense of his contemporaries, but the actual fields and villages he knew.

You won't find much here in terms of visitor facilities. It's more a pause-and-reflect kind of stop than a full afternoon out. History types and poetry enthusiasts will get the most from it, though anyone with an interest in rural England's literary heritage should make the detour. Clare's life was marked by poverty and mental illness, which his work often reflects, so it's worth knowing something about him before you arrive to make the visit properly meaningful.

Stamford, just east of the memorial, is a proper limestone town and worth exploring in its own right - the architecture alone justifies an hour's wander. If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is closest and sits on decent grounds - the memorial works as a quiet morning walk before heading into town for lunch. Nene Outdoors Campsite and Stamford Meadows Glamping are also within easy reach if you want somewhere with more amenities.

Allow half an hour, go when the weather's decent, and take a moment to read something of his work before you visit. It transforms the experience from a quick snapshot into something that actually sticks with you.