Willes Obelisk

Stone monuments don't get much more understated than this 18th-century obelisk standing quietly in the Warwickshire countryside. Built in 1759 to commemorate Edward Willes, a local judge and MP, it's one of those proper English follies that makes you wonder what possessed someone to plonk a 30-foot stone needle in the middle of nowhere.

The obelisk sits on private land but can be viewed from the public footpath that runs nearby. It's a decent walk from Warwick town centre - about three miles through farmland and along bridleways that can get properly muddy in winter. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Georgian inscription, though it's weathered enough that you'll need to squint a bit.

Honestly, it's more of a milestone on a longer ramble than a destination in itself. Families with restless children might find it a bit anticlimactic after the trek. But if you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Warwick and fancy stretching your legs beyond the castle crowds, it makes for a pleasant enough objective. The views across the Warwickshire countryside are lovely, and you'll likely have the place to yourself.

Allow an hour return from the nearest parking spot, longer if you're walking from Warwick itself.