Veterans Avenue, Hendon

Walk down Veterans Avenue in Hendon and you're treading on properly significant ground. This tree-lined street was created as a memorial to servicemen and women after the First World War, with each tree planted in honour of local people who'd died in the conflict. It's a quiet, moving tribute that most visitors to the area completely miss.

The avenue itself is straightforward - a residential street, really - but that's rather the point. There's no visitor centre, no plaques demanding your attention, just the accumulated weight of history in the form of mature trees and the knowledge of what they represent. Families with school-age children might find it educational if you're the sort to explain these things as you walk. Older visitors and anyone interested in First World War commemoration will find it genuinely affecting.

It doesn't demand much time - twenty minutes to walk the length and absorb the atmosphere - but it's worth combining with a broader visit to the Hendon area. Elstree, just nearby, has plenty of infrastructure. If you're staying at Elstree Park or Home Farm Glamping - both within easy reach - this makes a peaceful diversion that adds real substance to a Hertfordshire break. Aldenham Country Park is also close by if you want something with more conventional attractions for the children.

There's no admission fee, obviously, and you can visit whenever you like. Go on a weekday morning if possible; it's far more contemplative that way.