Vickers VC10 'Victor Mike'

Walking around this massive four-engine jet, you'll quickly grasp just how ambitious British aviation was in the 1960s. The Vickers VC10 'Victor Mike' sits at Brooklands Museum near Addlestone, one of the last surviving examples of an aircraft that once ruled long-haul routes from London to Africa and the Far East. Standing beneath its distinctive rear-mounted engines, the sheer scale becomes apparent - this thing was built to cross continents.

Aviation enthusiasts will have a field day here, though families might find the static display loses younger visitors' attention after twenty minutes. The VC10's sleek lines and that unmistakable tail-heavy silhouette make it proper impressive, even if you can't climb aboard. What sets it apart from other preserved aircraft is its rarity - most were scrapped decades ago.

Brooklands Museum itself warrants a full afternoon, so factor this into your visit from any of the nearby camping spots around Chertsey or Walton on Thames. The museum's motor racing heritage adds another dimension if aircraft aren't your thing. Given Surrey's decent transport links, it makes a solid rainy-day option when staying at sites like Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club or the various parks dotted around the area. Just don't expect hands-on interaction - this is very much a look-but-don't-touch affair.