Spiritualists National Union

The Spiritualists National Union headquarters sits on the outskirts of Burton-on-Trent, a surprisingly absorbing stop if you've got an hour to spare and a genuine interest in how Spiritualism took root in Victorian Britain. It's housed in what was once a private residence, and the whole place has that slightly worn-in feel of an organisation that's been doing its thing quietly for over a century without much fuss.

Inside you'll find artefacts, photographs, and documentation charting the movement from its heyday in the 1920s through to today. There's a chapel where mediums have held séances, and the archive material gives you a real sense of how seriously people took this stuff - it wasn't all parlour tricks and theatrical nonsense, whatever the sceptics say. The volunteers who run it are genuinely knowledgeable and won't bore you with a script.

It's not for casual browsers. This is for people with a real interest in religious history, the paranormal, or Victorian social movements. Kids will get restless unless they're genuinely fascinated by the subject matter. Families staying at nearby Kingfisher Holiday Park might treat it as a rainy-day option rather than a headline attraction, though it does add an unusual dimension to a Staffordshire break.

Best to ring ahead - opening hours and admission details aren't widely advertised online, and you'll want to confirm someone's there before making the journey.