The Jutland Gun

A 12-pounder naval gun sitting on the seafront at Lee-on-the-Solent, the Jutland Gun is one of those oddly compelling pieces of military hardware that makes you stop mid-walk and actually read the plaque. It's a survivor from the Battle of Jutland in 1916, Britain's biggest naval engagement of the First World War, and it arrived here as a memorial after the fighting ended.

What you're looking at is genuine wreckage - this thing saw action, took hits, and lived to tell the tale. There's something rather moving about standing in front of it on a breezy Hampshire afternoon, knowing the scale of the battle it came through. The gun itself isn't huge, and the whole stop takes ten minutes maximum, but if you've got any interest in naval history or the First World War, it's worth the slight detour from the seafront promenade.

Kids will find it mildly interesting for perhaps five minutes before wanting ice cream instead. History buffs, though, will appreciate the tangible connection to Jutland. It's free to view - no visitor centre, no facilities, just the gun and a bit of weathered metal telling its story.

If you're staying at Kingfisher Caravan Park or Hayling Island Holiday Park, Lee-on-the-Solent itself is a pleasant spot for a walk regardless. The gun fits naturally into that - no special trip needed, just a proper little waypoint on the seafront.