Statue of Andy Capp

The Statue of Andy Capp stands in Hartlepool as a rather cheeky tribute to the comic strip character who'd become something of a local legend. It's not a gallery in the traditional sense - more a public sculpture you'll stumble across while wandering the town centre, a bit of pop culture history cast in bronze and actually quite charming if you've got any fondness for the old newspaper comics.

Andy Capp, that flat-capped everyman who spent decades getting into scrapes and avoiding work, was created by cartoonist Reg Smythe way back in 1957. Hartlepool embraced him as one of their own, which explains why there's a statue here at all. It's the kind of thing that'll mean something if you grew up reading the comics, less so if you haven't. Kids under ten will probably wonder what all the fuss is about.

There's no admission fee - it's a public monument you can visit any time. Allow five minutes, honestly. It's good for a photo if you're into that sort of thing, and it gives you an excuse to explore the town's waterfront while you're here.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park just down the coast, this makes an easy afternoon jaunt into Hartlepool proper. Not worth planning a trip around, but absolutely worth a quick detour if you're in the area and fancy a bit of nostalgia.