Queen Victoria Memorial

The Queen Victoria Memorial sits just outside Royston, a modest Victorian monument that marks where the queen's coffin rested during its journey to London in 1901. It's not grand or showy - just a simple stone structure in the Cambridgeshire landscape - but there's something rather moving about standing where that historical moment actually happened.

You'll find it's more of a brief stop than a destination in itself. Five minutes to look around, take a photo, read the inscription. Local history enthusiasts and anyone with a particular interest in Victorian Britain will appreciate the context, but families with young children might find it underwhelming on its own. That said, it works well as part of a wider wander around Royston and the surrounding countryside.

The real appeal comes from pairing it with the nearby caravan parks. Guilden Gate Glamping is closest at under three miles away, while Shepreth Mill and Ashridge Farm offer solid bases for exploring the area. You could easily combine a visit here with walks across the local footpaths and a proper look at Royston itself - the town has medieval roots and some decent pubs worth exploring.

It's free to visit and there are no set opening hours, so you can call in whenever suits you. Honestly, treat it as a layover rather than a pilgrimage - worthwhile if you're in the area, but not worth going out of your way for unless you're really keen on Victorian monuments.