Royal Air Force Bomber Command

The memorial sits on what used to be RAF Scampton, though the visitor centre has moved. Walking around, you're confronted with the weight of what happened here during the Second World War. Bomber Command losses were catastrophic - over 55,000 aircrew died, many of them launching sorties from bases just like this one.

You'll find the memorial itself is striking: a bronze sculpture that hits hard rather than soothes. The visitor centre tells the stories of the men who flew these missions, what they faced, and what it cost them. It's not a cheerful afternoon out - don't come expecting that. But it matters, particularly if you have any connection to the war years or if you're teaching children about this period.

From Burton-on-Trent it's an easy drive across. Kingfisher Holiday Park sits just a couple of miles away, so if you're staying there with the family, this is worth an hour or two of your time. Teenagers will get something from it if they're studying the war. Younger children might find it a bit heavy, though the setting itself - the open air, the space - gives you room to process.

Allow a good hour if you're reading the panels properly. Go early in the day if you can, when it's quieter. There's something about standing there alone, even for a few minutes, that makes the experience land differently than when you're surrounded by other visitors.