Space City

The giant silver geodesic dome on the outskirts of Leicester is impossible to miss - it looms across the skyline like something from a 1970s vision of the future that actually came true. Space City is Leicester's quirky landmark, a bold structure that's become as much a part of the city's identity as the Richard III story.

What you're actually looking at is an iconic piece of architectural ambition. The dome itself is the real draw here - it's the kind of thing that photographs brilliantly, especially at dusk when the metallic surface catches the light. Whether you're driving past on the motorway or heading into Leicester proper, it stops you short. It's properly distinctive.

This works best for architecture enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates 20th-century design oddities. Kids might find it interesting for five minutes, but they won't want to spend an hour gawping. It's more of a "pull over and take a photo" type of stop than a full afternoon activity.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Bradgate Park, Cossiwild Camping, or Charnwood Acres are all within six miles - Space City makes a decent photo stop en route to Leicester town centre or the countryside walks beyond. It's a conversation starter, that's for certain. Don't expect interactive exhibits or museums inside; this is purely about the exterior statement the building makes. Worth a detour if you're already in the area, though not worth planning a whole trip around.