Westland Sea King HC4

A decommissioned Sea King helicopter sits in a field near Yeovil, and it's genuinely one of those stops that catches you off guard. The aircraft itself is substantial - you're looking at a proper military machine, all corroded rotor blades and weathered fuselage, the sort of thing that makes you realize how solid these things were built to be.

It's essentially a static display, so you're walking around the outside taking photos and reading whatever information plaques are still legible. There's something oddly moving about seeing a working rescue helicopter reduced to this - salvage, really. History buffs will find it worthwhile, particularly if you've got an interest in Cold War-era aviation or British military kit. Kids might manage twenty minutes, maybe half an hour if they're properly keen on helicopters, but it's not an interactive experience.

From Long Hazel Park (just 3.7 miles away) or Orchard Farm's glamping site, it's a straightforward afternoon jaunt. Worth combining with a walk around Yeovil itself or pressing on to the Fleet Air Arm Museum if aircraft are your thing. Access and opening hours aren't entirely straightforward - you'll want to check locally before making a special trip. It's free, as far as anyone can tell, but that's because it's genuinely just a hulk on display. Don't expect facilities or fanfare. Go if you're passing through the area with a specific interest; don't go out of your way otherwise.