Southampton Castle Garderobe Tower

The Garderobe Tower is what's left of Southampton Castle - a squat, solid bit of Norman stonework that's been standing since the 12th century, now hemmed in by modern Southampton. It's not much to look at from the outside, frankly. A four-storey tower, weathered and austere, with those characteristic rounded corners the Normans favoured. Inside, if you can access it, you'll find the medieval toilet systems that give the place its rather unglamorous name - garderobe being the posh term for a castle loo.

History buffs will find it genuinely interesting. This was part of a proper defensive fortress back when Southampton was a serious medieval port. The tower's survived centuries of war, rebuilding, and urban development, which is no small feat. Kids might get a kick out of learning about medieval toilet arrangements, though the actual experience is fairly brief.

The reality is you're looking at a remnant, not a full experience. Access can be patchy - it's owned by English Heritage but visitor facilities are minimal. You'll want to ring ahead or check locally in Southampton town centre before making the journey. It sits awkwardly in a modern residential area rather than in parkland, so it doesn't flow naturally with a caravan holiday at somewhere like Sunnydale Farm or Mercury Holiday Park.

If you're already in Southampton and interested in Norman architecture, it's worth a fifteen-minute detour. Otherwise, it's not worth planning a trip around. The waterfront and medieval town walls elsewhere in Southampton offer more bang for your buck.