Moira Furnace Museum

You're looking at what amounts to a working blast furnace frozen in time - and that's the whole appeal of Moira. This isn't some sanitised museum with interactive screens; it's the real industrial archaeology thing, complete with the actual furnace that's been sitting here since the 1820s. The site tells the story of ironmaking in the Midlands when it actually mattered, when this corner of Leicestershire was pumping out pig iron for the railways and beyond.

What you get is the furnace itself - a proper brick beast - along with the sort of exhibits that explain how the whole operation worked without making you feel like you're back in GCSE history. It's genuinely absorbing if you care about how things were actually made, less so if you're after a quick half-hour wander. Families with older kids who've done some industrial revolution work at school will get more from it than younger ones.

The site sits near Swadlincote, which isn't exactly a thriving hub, but if you're camping at one of the local sites - Conkers is less than a mile away, Fire & Stars a bit further out - it makes for a solid morning or early afternoon stop. Check before you head out as opening hours and admission fees can be a bit vague. It's worth the detour if you're genuinely interested in industrial heritage; otherwise, it's the sort of place you'll appreciate more in retrospect than in the moment.