The Heron

A 40-foot steel sculpture of a heron stands sentinel over the landscape near Derecroft, catching you completely off guard as you round a bend. It's the kind of thing you either love or find utterly bizarre - there's no middle ground. The bird is impressively tall and catches the light differently depending on the time of day, which does give it a certain presence.

Truth is, you won't spend hours here. It's a pull-over, get out, take a photo, move on sort of spot. That said, if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Haystax, Manor Park, or Allensford - it's worth the short drive as a quick detour on a walk or a break from the caravan. Walkers with a bit of curiosity will appreciate the novelty, though young kids might find it underwhelming once they've snapped their picture.

The sculpture sits in relatively open countryside, so there's a pleasant enough bit of scenery around it if you fancy stretching your legs. Don't expect a visitor centre or facilities - it's a bare-bones affair. Free to view, obviously, being outdoors. Best visited on a clear day when the steel really shows itself off, and honestly, it works better as a quirky photo opportunity than as a destination in its own right. Worth ten minutes if you're in the area, but don't make a special trip.