Statue of Margaret Thatcher

The bronze statue of Margaret Thatcher stands in Grantham's town centre, a rather striking tribute to Britain's first female Prime Minister who was born here in 1925. It's not exactly subtle - a commanding figure in a power suit, right there on the high street where you can't miss it. The statue went up in 2003 and still manages to provoke strong opinions, which is probably the point.

You'll spend five minutes here maximum, unless you're genuinely interested in standing about discussing Thatcherism with whoever you're with. History buffs and those with strong political leanings will find it worthwhile as a bit of pilgrimage - her childhood home, the corner shop her father owned, all of it's nearby in Grantham. It's free to look at, naturally. The best time is midweek when you're not competing with Saturday crowds and market stalls.

It doesn't warrant a special trip on its own, to be honest. But if you're staying at Wagtail Country Park just a few miles outside town, a wander into Grantham's worth doing anyway for the decent shops and restaurants. The statue's your excuse to understand what made this market town significant - and why some people still feel quite passionately about it. Combine it with visiting the Guildhall or poking around the independent cafes. That'll make for a proper afternoon.