Philip Larkin Toad

The Philip Larkin Centre in Beverley is a modest but absorbing gallery devoted to one of England's most brilliant and cantankerous poets. You'll find manuscript pages, personal effects, and correspondence that reveal the man behind the verse - not always a comfortable thing to discover, mind you. Larkin lived most of his adult life in Hull, just down the road, and this space charts his connection to the area with real care.

It's not a sprawling museum experience. You can work through the collection in an hour, sometimes less if you're already familiar with his work. The real appeal lies in standing in front the original drafts, seeing his crossings-out and edits, getting a sense of how painstaking his process was. If you've read "This Be The Verse" or know "High Windows", there's something rather moving about seeing the words take shape on paper.

History enthusiasts and literature types will get the most from a visit. Casual browsers might find it rather dry and academic. The gallery is free entry, which is just as it should be for a local treasure.

Manor Farm Camping and Spring Valley Campsite lie within easy striking distance, both highly rated spots if you're basing yourself in the area for a few nights. Beverley itself is worth a full day - the Minster alone demands proper attention. The Larkin Centre works well as a morning visit before lunch in town.