The Guardians II

Two enormous bronze figures stand watching over the landscape just outside Northampton, and they're impossible to miss once you know they're there. The Guardians II is a contemporary art installation that's become something of a landmark - the kind of thing that makes you do a double-take from the road and then wonder what on earth it's doing out here in the Midlands.

The sculptures themselves are striking - tall, imposing, and oddly compelling in a way that's hard to put into words until you're actually standing in front of them. There's no visitor centre or gift shop, just the art and the space around it. It's the sort of place you visit on foot, spend half an hour studying the figures from different angles, and then crack on with whatever else is on your agenda. Not a destination that'll consume your whole day, but worth the detour if you're in the area.

Families with teenagers who can appreciate modern sculpture will get more from this than small children. Walkers passing through Northamptonshire might find it a pleasant waypoint rather than a primary goal. The fact that it's free and accessible (assuming no permit required) makes it an easy addition to a caravan holiday at one of the nearby sites - Billing Aquadrome or Riverview Park are within a few miles, so it's easily combined with a longer itinerary of the county. Best visited in decent weather when you can actually stand around and take it in properly.