John Gunther

The John Gunther memorial sits quietly near Hatfield, a sobering reminder of wartime loss that catches plenty of visitors off guard. Most people pass through without knowing the story - a young American pilot whose Lancaster bomber crashed here in 1944, killing him and his crew. It's not flashy or touristy, which is rather the point.

You won't spend hours here. Twenty minutes, tops, to pay respects and take in the spot where it happened. The memorial itself is modest - the kind of thing you'd miss if you weren't looking for it. But that's what makes it genuinely moving. No gift shop, no crowds, just the facts and the feeling of standing somewhere that mattered.

Historians and anyone interested in the Second World War will find it worthwhile. Families with older children might appreciate the quiet gravitas of the place, though younger kids won't find much to engage them. It's the sort of stop that works best when you're already in the area, rather than a destination in itself.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Marshmoor Crescent is just 2.5 miles away - it makes a decent half-morning excursion. Pair it with a walk around Hatfield itself, which has proper history underneath the modern town. Admission is free, as these things usually are, and there's no fancy opening hours to worry about. Go when you want.