Waltham Abbey Gatehouse

The gatehouse stands alone on the main street in Waltham Cross, all red brick and medieval swagger, impossible to miss as you walk through town. It's the last surviving part of Waltham Abbey, which once dominated the area before Henry VIII's dissolution saw most of it razed. You can't go inside - it's a viewing-from-the-pavement sort of situation - but that's fine. The thing speaks for itself: sturdy, proper atmospheric, and genuinely old in a way that makes the rest of the high street feel quite modern by comparison.

Historians will get the most from this. There's a real thrill in standing in front of something that's been there since the 1400s, watching traffic pass by exactly as it has for centuries. Families with young kids might find five minutes enough unless you're specifically keen on medieval architecture. The nearest proper attraction worth your time is the abbey itself, just a short walk away - the church still stands and has some lovely Norman features inside.

If you're basing yourself at Lee Valley Caravan Park nearby, this is a genuine five-minute detour from your pitch, which makes it worth a quick leg-stretch and a photo. It costs nothing and takes no time, but it does give you a proper sense of the area's history without any of the faffing about. Go in the morning if you can - afternoon sun plays tricks with the photographs, and the gatehouse looks best when it's not drowning in shadow.