Statue of Jerry (Charles Wicksteed's dog)

You'll find yourself grinning at what is quite possibly Britain's most unusual tribute to a dog. Jerry was Charles Wicksteed's faithful companion, and someone - clearly smitten - commissioned a statue in his honour. It sits in what was once Wicksteed Park, the inventor's personal playground of mechanical attractions and gardens that he opened to the public in 1921.

The statue itself is modest but oddly moving. It's the sort of thing that makes you pause and think about the Victorians and their relationship with their pets. Wicksteed was an eccentric engineer who believed playgrounds should be proper adventures, not just a swing and a slide, and Jerry was there for all of it.

History buffs will appreciate the context - this was a man decades ahead of his time, creating spaces for families to enjoy themselves at no cost. Dog lovers, obviously, will get a kick out of it. Kids find it either hilarious or slightly creepy depending on their age. Allow twenty minutes to wander around and soak up the oddball charm.

If you're staying at Northfield Farm or Lakeview Caravan Park nearby, it's worth the short drive into Kettering. The statue sits within what's now a public space, so there's no admission fee to pay your respects to Jerry. Go on a clear day - the light really picks out the detail in the stone work.