Regeneration of Rugby station

Rugby's railway station has undergone a proper transformation in recent years, and it's worth a look if you're passing through Leicestershire. The Victorian building itself - all red brick and period detail - dates back to the 1880s, and the regeneration work has restored it to something approaching its former glory rather than letting it crumble into one of those forgotten transport hubs you see dotted around the Midlands.

There's not loads to do here for hours on end, to be honest. This isn't a destination in itself. But if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Manor Farm is only 2.8 miles away, or Meadow Field Glamping if you fancy something more upmarket - it's a pleasant ten-minute wander to see what Victorian railway architecture looked like before everything got brutalist concrete stations in the 1960s. The station building itself hosts a small café and the platforms are functional and clean, which beats many modern equivalents.

History buffs and railway enthusiasts will get more from it than families with young kids. The regeneration tells you something genuine about how towns are trying to preserve their heritage rather than demolish it, which matters if you're into that sort of thing. Allow 20 minutes maximum unless you're genuinely railway-mad. Free to have a look around, though you'll need to buy a ticket if you're actually catching a train. Best visited on a crisp morning when the light catches the brickwork properly. Close enough to Lutterworth to combine with a village walk if you're looking to fill an afternoon.