The Monument

The Monument rises from the landscape near Sheffield like something from a Victorian fever dream - a proper statement piece that catches you off guard if you're not expecting it. It's one of those historical markers that speaks to a specific moment in time, and whether that grabs you depends entirely on how much you care about the story behind the stone.

What you're looking at is a structure built to commemorate something worth remembering, though the wind whips round it something fierce when you get up close. The walk to reach it is pleasant enough if you're based at Holme Valley Camping & Caravan Park - only five miles or so away - and makes for a decent stretch of the legs during a park holiday. The surrounding area is proper Yorkshire moorland, so the views reward you for the effort.

History buffs will get the most from it, and anyone interested in local heritage will find themselves lingering. For families with young children, it's more of a background photo stop than a destination in itself. You can see it, read the inscription, and move on within twenty minutes unless you're the type who likes to sit and contemplate.

It's free to visit - no admission charges - and there's no specific opening hours to worry about. Best visited on a clear day when you can actually see something from the vantage point. Rain makes it grim and windswept, which has its own appeal if you like that sort of thing.