The Turning Yard

The Turning Yard sits just outside Worksop, a modest industrial heritage site that speaks to Nottinghamshire's working past. This former colliery railway installation marks where pit trains once turned and manoeuvred - the kind of place that doesn't announce itself loudly but rewards a bit of curiosity.

It's straightforward really: a preserved turntable and associated railway infrastructure that shows how coal moved from pit to rail network. History types will find it genuinely interesting, especially those with a soft spot for industrial archaeology. The scale is small enough that you won't need more than thirty minutes here, though photographers could spend longer hunting for angles.

The real appeal lies in pairing it with a stay at one of the nearby parks. Clumber Park sits just half a mile away - you could easily combine a quick look at the Turning Yard with a proper afternoon exploring the National Trust estate, its lake, woodland and grand house. The caravan sites at Clumber Park and slightly further afield at Sherwood Forest Holiday Park make logical bases for this kind of industrial tourism mixed with country walking.

Admission details are thin on the ground, and opening hours aren't well publicised, so ring ahead or check locally once you're at Worksop. It's the sort of spot that benefits from a bit of local knowledge - ask at your holiday park reception. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're keen on how things actually worked rather than glossy visitor attractions, it's worth the detour.