WWI memorial

The First World War left its mark all across Essex, and this memorial stands as one of the region's most important reminders of that conflict. What you're looking at is a proper tribute to the local men and women who served and died - the sort of place that rewards a slow walk around rather than a quick glance from the car park.

You'll find names, dates, and often personal touches left by visitors. It's the kind of site that hits differently when you're actually standing there, reading the inscriptions, than it ever could in a photograph. History enthusiasts will get the most from this - people who like to understand the local impact of major events rather than just the broad strokes. Families with teenagers interested in the First World War will find it thought-provoking. Younger kids might lose patience after ten minutes, to be honest.

The memorial's close enough to London that you can visit as part of a broader trip, and it works well if you're basing yourself at Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton - just four miles away - or the slightly further Lee Valley Campsite near Sewardstone. Neither campsite is spectacular on the reviews, but they're functional bases for exploring the area. Allow an hour if you want to read properly and sit quietly for a bit. Go on a weekday morning if you can - you'll have the place mostly to yourself, which is when these memorials mean the most.