The Alford Windmill Trust

The five-storey red-brick tower standing in the middle of Alford is impossible to miss - and it's been impossible to miss for the best part of two centuries. This is a proper working windmill, one of the last remaining in Lincolnshire, and it's been restored to the point where the sails actually turn when conditions allow.

Walking up to it, you get a real sense of the engineering that went into these things. The Trust has done a solid job keeping the machinery intact, and if you're at all interested in industrial heritage or how rural communities used to function before electricity, there's plenty to absorb. The views from the top - and yes, there's a climb - give you a decent perspective on the Lincolnshire flatlands that stretch out in every direction.

It's the sort of stop that works particularly well if you're base yourself at Woodthorpe Leisure Park just down the road, or one of the other holiday parks within a few miles. You won't spend hours here - figure on 45 minutes to an hour - but it breaks up a day nicely. Families with kids old enough to manage stairs will find it interesting rather than thrilling. History buffs and walkers passing through the area should definitely factor it in.

The town of Alford itself is small and straightforward, which means parking's rarely an issue. Best to check ahead for opening times and admission charges, as these vary. Spring and summer visits work better if you want to catch the sails in action on a windy day.