Warlies Park Obelisk

The obelisk at Warlies Park rises from the Hertfordshire countryside east of Waltham Cross like something from a 18th-century gentleman's folly collection. It's a proper standalone monument - no visitor centre, no café, just this distinctive stone pillar marking what was once a significant estate landmark. You'll find it in the grounds of what's now parkland, and it's genuinely worth the detour if you're in the area.

The walk to reach it is pleasant enough, taking you through decent open space where you can stretch your legs without any real commitment. History buffs will appreciate the period detail, though there's limited interpretation on-site, so you'll want to do your homework beforehand if you want the full story. It's the sort of place where photographers get genuinely excited - that isolated, slightly austere elegance reads well in pictures.

Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger ones might struggle to understand why you've brought them to look at a stone column. Allow 30 minutes max for the obelisk itself, longer if you're planning a proper walk around the park. Spring and autumn tend to be best when the ground isn't waterlogged.

If you're based at Fowley Mead Park or Theobalds Park nearby, you could easily fit this in as a morning outing combined with a longer walk. It's the sort of thing that appeals most to people doing a proper countryside ramble rather than those after a major attraction - which is precisely what makes it worthwhile.