Market Cross

The Market Cross in Belford is one of those proper old-school touchstones that makes you realise how long people have been trading in this corner of Northumberland. It's a stone structure that's been standing in the town centre for centuries, a focal point where merchants would have gathered to conduct business and where townsfolk still congregate today. You can walk right up to it, no barriers, no fuss - it's simply there, part of the fabric of the place.

For history types, it's worth a stop. The cross tells you something genuine about how these market towns functioned, and Belford's location on the old coaching routes meant it was once far busier than it might appear now. It won't take long - fifteen minutes max to have a proper look and take it in - but it fits nicely into a broader wander through the town itself.

What makes it work as part of a caravan holiday is the proximity to genuine Northumbrian coast and countryside. South Meadows Caravan Park is less than a mile away, making it an easy base. From here you're well-placed for Budle Bay, Bamburgh's castle and beaches, and the long stretches of walking country that define this part of England. The Market Cross anchors you to something local and real rather than another manicured visitor attraction. Free to visit, obviously, and worth tacking onto an afternoon if you're staying nearby.