Pelham's Pillar

A squat stone tower rises from the Lincolnshire countryside near Market Rasen, and it's one of those historical oddities that makes you wonder what on earth the Victorians were thinking. Pelham's Pillar was erected in 1848 as a monument to John Cust, 1st Earl Brownlow - though locals tend to call it Pelham's after the estate it sits on. It's not exactly a soaring column; more a sturdy, almost stubby thing that dominates the horizon in a very unglamorous way.

There's not much to do here beyond stopping to look at it, snap a photo, and read the inscription if you can get close enough. History enthusiasts might enjoy the walk out to it across the fields, particularly if you're interested in 19th-century landowner vanity projects. The real appeal lies in the wider landscape - it's proper fenland and rolling Lincolnshire wold country, so the surroundings matter more than the structure itself.

If you're staying at Wolds View Country Park or Station Farm just down the road, it makes a decent afternoon walk. Don't expect more than thirty minutes here, and check the weather first - it's exposed as anything when the wind's up. Best approached from the eastern side where the access is clearer. Worth the detour if you're into off-beat Victorian monuments or simply exploring this less-visited corner of the Midlands, though it won't set your heart racing. Go for the landscape, not the pillar.