Point Clear Whelk

A giant whelk shell standing sentinel on the Essex coastline near Clacton-on-Sea - that's Point Clear Whelk in a nutshell. This quirky roadside landmark is one of those things that makes you do a double-take as you're driving past, and it's worth pulling over for a quick look and a photo if you're in the area.

It's not going to take up your whole afternoon. Honestly, you'll have seen it properly in five minutes. But that's rather the charm of it - a proper slice of British seaside oddness that doesn't require planning or tickets. It's the sort of thing that breaks up a longer drive or makes a good stop if you're exploring the quieter bits of the Essex coast around St Osyth or heading towards Clacton.

If you're staying at Haven Orchards Holiday Village just down the road, it's barely a detour. Lee Wick Farm Cottages and the rest of the local parks are close enough that you could string together a morning of wandering - maybe combine it with a stroll along the beach or a visit to one of the proper attractions in Clacton itself.

The real value here is that it's free, it's daft in the best way, and it gives you a genuine feel for the kind of eccentric landmarks that pepper the British coast. Don't expect gravitas or a lengthy write-up on your phone - just expect to smile and move on.