Sir Tatton Syke's Monument

There's a tall pillar standing alone on the Yorkshire Wolds near Driffield that commemorates Sir Tatton Syke, a 19th-century landowner with enough influence to warrant a monument in his honour. It's one of those landmarks that catches you off guard - you're walking through rolling farmland and suddenly there it is, rising up against the big Wolds sky.

The monument itself is modest but solid, the kind of thing Victorian gentry did to remember their own. What makes it worth the effort is the walk to reach it. The surrounding countryside is genuinely lovely - proper Yorkshire Wolds terrain with wide views across grassland and distant hills. It's not a spectacle in the way castles or grand estates are, but if you're already hiking in the area, the detour makes sense.

Historically minded visitors will get more from it than casual passers-by, though even then, you're looking at ten minutes of actual time at the monument itself. Families with children might find the walk rewarding but the monument a bit underwhelming once you arrive - there's not a great deal to do or examine once you're there.

If you're based at East End Farm Campsite or Seaways Glamping, both within easy reach, it works well as part of a longer ramble across the Wolds rather than a destination in itself. Go for the walk, stay for the views. Free access, naturally, and you'll want to allow a couple of hours if you're combining it with exploring the surrounding landscape properly.