Soldier art

Just east of Colchester stands a striking public art installation that catches most people off guard - Soldier, a towering figure cast in bronze that commands the landscape with quiet intensity. It's the work of Philip Jackson, one of Britain's most accomplished figurative sculptors, and it commemorates the men and women who've served in the armed forces. The piece itself is arrestingly life-sized, capturing a moment of stillness rather than action, which is what makes it stick with you.

This isn't the sort of attraction you'd spend hours at, but it's absolutely worth a detour if you're passing through the area or based nearby. History buffs and military enthusiasts will appreciate the thoughtfulness of the commission, though it speaks to anyone interested in public sculpture and what it says about our relationship with service and memory. The setting gives it proper weight - it's not hemmed in by tourist infrastructure, just standing there doing its job.

If you're staying at Eastland Meadows Country Park just a few miles away, this makes an easy outing that takes twenty minutes to see properly. Go mid-morning before Colchester gets too busy, have a proper look at the detail work, and move on. There's no café or facilities at the sculpture itself, so plan accordingly. Free to visit, naturally. It's the kind of piece that stays with you longer than you'd expect.