Monkey Mischief

Half a mile outside Retford sits a piece of public art that divides opinion more sharply than Brexit. The bronze monkey sculpture, officially called Monkey Mischief, perches on a wooden post looking thoroughly pleased with itself. Some locals think it's brilliant. Others reckon it's a waste of council money.

Children absolutely love the thing. There's something about its cheeky expression and the way it sits there, tail curled round the post, that gets them giggling every time. Adults tend to be more reserved - it's certainly not Michelangelo's David, but it's got character.

The sculpture marks the entrance to a small woodland walk that takes about twenty minutes to complete. Nothing too strenuous, though the path can get muddy after rain. Families staying at nearby Sundown Adventureland or Wild Acre Village often make the short walk over to see what all the fuss is about.

Honestly, it's worth five minutes of your time if you're passing through Retford anyway. The kids will want their photo taken with it, and there's a decent pub just down the road for a pint afterwards. Don't make a special journey, but it's a harmless bit of fun that sparks conversation.