Tower 9

Tower 9 is one of Suffolk's best-kept secrets - a squat, sturdy concrete pillbox left over from World War II defences along the Deben estuary. It sits just outside Woodbridge, that charming riverside town, and unless you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll walk straight past it. The tower itself is modest, honestly. A single-storey gun emplacement designed to repel German invasion that thankfully never came. What makes it worth seeking out is the historical weight of it - standing there, you're quite literally on a front line that held its breath through 1940 and 1941.

History buffs and WWII enthusiasts will find it genuinely moving. The concrete is weathered, sometimes overgrown, and that rawness is part of its appeal. Kids might get restless unless they're seriously into wartime heritage - there's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just the structure itself and your imagination filling in the gaps.

The walk to reach it is pleasant enough through local countryside, and it makes a logical addition to a longer day exploring the Deben valley. If you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Carlton Meres, Birds and Bees, or Savage Glamping dotted within a few miles - you could easily combine it with a riverside stroll into Woodbridge itself. Allow an hour for the site visit if you're taking your time, though fifteen minutes covers it if you're efficient. No admission charge. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light hits the concrete differently and you'll have the place entirely to yourself.