John Cooke

The John Cooke site near Lee-on-the-Solent is one of those local spots that doesn't make the guidebooks but matters to anyone interested in Hampshire's industrial past. It's a modest historic site - nothing flashy, no visitor centre with a gift shop - but it tells you something real about how people lived and worked along the Solent coast.

What you're looking at are the remains of a significant early industrial operation. The actual footprint isn't enormous, which means you won't need hours here, but if you're walking the coastal paths between Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport, it's absolutely worth breaking your stride for. Bring a decent pair of shoes; the ground gets muddy after rain and the signage is minimal, so you'll need to know what you're looking at.

It's the kind of place that appeals to local history buffs and industrial archaeology enthusiasts rather than families with young kids - they'll get bored within twenty minutes. Adults who care about how Hampshire's economy actually developed, though, will find it properly interesting.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Kingfisher is the closest at just over four miles, or go for ScottsHaven if you want slightly better facilities - this makes a good morning detour before heading into the town proper. Combine it with a proper walk along the seafront and you've got a genuine half-day out. Ring ahead to Lee-on-the-Solent's information centre for current access details and opening arrangements, as facilities at the site itself are fairly basic.