The Butter Cross

You'll spot it straight away in Stamford's town centre - a stone structure that's been marking the spot where butter and produce got sold since medieval times. The Butter Cross is what it says on the tin: a covered market cross that once served as the focal point for local traders. It's proper old, with that chunky stone construction you'd expect from something that's been standing for centuries.

The thing is, it's not a massive attraction in itself. You won't spend hours here. But if you're wandering Stamford - and you should be, it's a lovely Georgian stone town - the Butter Cross gives you that tangible sense of how markets actually worked before everything shifted to supermarkets. Stand under the roof for a minute and you can almost picture the chaos of market day, the haggling, the crowds.

It works best as part of a bigger mooch around Stamford's streets. Spend fifteen minutes here, read the information board if there is one, then grab a coffee nearby. History types will appreciate it; kids will find it moderately interesting for about five minutes before wanting to move on. The real appeal is what it represents about medieval market towns rather than the structure itself.

If you're based at Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Stamford Meadows Glamping, Stamford's close enough for a half-day trip. The Butter Cross anchors the town centre, so you can't really miss it. Free to see, obviously - it's just sitting there in the middle of town.