Tring Local Museum

Tring's local museum sits in the high street and tells the story of this Hertfordshire market town without any pretence. It's small - you'll be through in 45 minutes unless you're the type who reads every placard - but it's genuine. The exhibits cover everything from Roman finds dug up locally to Victorian shop life, with some decent artefacts that actually belonged to people who lived here rather than objects borrowed from bigger institutions.

The museum works best for history buffs and anyone curious about how English market towns actually functioned. Children under eight might find it a bit dry unless they're already interested in archaeology or old things. There's no interactive play area, so don't expect them to stay entertained for hours.

Admission is typically free or costs just a couple of quid - worth checking ahead - and it's genuinely free to have a wander around the high street itself, which has proper independent shops and a decent bakery if you need sustenance. The town has real character rather than the chain-store blandness you get elsewhere.

If you're based at one of the camping sites nearby - Chiltern Yurts or Hill Farm Camping are both within a couple of miles - the museum makes a decent rainy afternoon stop. Pair it with a walk around Tring Park or the Grand Union Canal towpath, both accessible from the town centre. It's not a headline attraction, but it's exactly the sort of place that reminds you why a proper English market town still matters.