The Bargate

Standing in Southampton's medieval heart, the Bargate is a proper reminder of what this port town once was. It's a fortified gatehouse - the only substantial bit of the old city walls left standing - and it dominates the High Street with all the presence of something that's watched over 600 years of commerce and chaos.

You'll walk straight into what amounts to an archway flanked by round towers. In summer, the space thrums with shoppers and commuters. Inside, if you're lucky to catch the doors open, there's a small museum covering Southampton's maritime past and the gate's own role in keeping the place secure. The views from the upper levels aren't spectacular, but they do give you a proper sense of how the medieval town was laid out.

This is one for history types more than thrill-seekers. Kids under eight will find it fairly dull unless they're into castles and cannons. A solid twenty minutes if you're paying proper attention, longer if you hang about in the museum. Free to walk around the exterior; check locally for museum access fees and hours.

If you're basing yourselves at Sunnydale Farm Caravan Park or Bell Tent Glamping - both just a few miles out - the Bargate makes a sensible quick stop while you're exploring Southampton's waterfront and the wider South Coast. It's worth an afternoon in town, though don't expect it to blow your mind. It's honest, weathered, and useful to see if you care about how England's old trading ports actually functioned.