Queen Victoria Statue

Brighton's Queen Victoria statue stands as a rather austere reminder of the Victorian era, plonked in one of England's most irreverently modern seaside towns. It's a bronze figure that catches you off guard if you're wandering through the seafront - all solemn dignity amid the chaos of the pier and the pebbles. The statue itself isn't enormous, but it commands a certain gravity in its setting, and locals will tell you it's been watching over the beach since 1893.

You won't need more than ten minutes here, frankly. It's free to view, obviously - it's public sculpture - and there's no entry fee or opening hours to fret about. It's the sort of thing you'll tick off while exploring Brighton's seafront rather than make a pilgrimage for. History enthusiasts might find it worth a photograph and a moment's reflection on how the Victorians dominated every corner of Britain, even our cheeriest beaches. Families won't find it thrilling, though younger kids often find statues amusing in that distracted way.

If you're camped at Pegs and Pitches just 1.3 miles away, or Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club at 3.1 miles, you could easily work it into a morning stroll before heading to the pier, the seafront gardens, or the shops. It's convenient, historically significant, and utterly unpretentious - which is more than can be said for some Victorian monuments scattered across England.