The Armstrong Centre, Beverley

William Armstrong's legacy sits right in the heart of Beverley, a market town that's worth lingering in. The Armstrong Centre celebrates the Victorian engineer and industrialist who changed how we generate power - his hydraulic innovations were genuinely revolutionary, though most visitors have never heard of him. You're looking at displays on his life, his breakthroughs, and the sheer scale of his influence across the world.

It's a fairly specialist spot, to be honest. History buffs and anyone interested in Victorian engineering will find plenty to occupy an hour or two. Kids might get bored unless they're into that sort of thing - it's not interactive in the way modern attractions tend to be. But if you're the type who gets excited about how things work and the people who invented them, there's real substance here.

Beverley itself is a proper gem: the Minster is stunning, and the town has character without being twee. The Armstrong Centre fits naturally into a day wandering about. Entry details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead or just turn up and ask at the desk.

If you're basing yourself at Cherry Burton Leisure Park three miles out, or at the excellent High Farm Holiday Park near Driffield, Beverley is an easy jaunt. You could comfortably combine a visit here with the town's Georgian streets, the pubs, and afternoon tea. Don't expect it to be the highlight of your holiday, but it's a rewarding detour if you've got an hour spare.