Yorke's Folly

You'll spot this curious stone tower rising unexpectedly from the Yorkshire moorland just outside Harrogate, and your first instinct will be right - it looks completely out of place. Yorke's Folly is exactly what the name suggests: an 18th-century whimsy built by someone with money and questionable taste in architecture. The structure sits on the landscape like a Victorian's practical joke, and there's something rather brilliant about that.

It's a short walk from nearby parking, and the folly itself doesn't demand hours of your time - thirty minutes maximum if you're the contemplative type, less if you're just after the photos. The real appeal here is the setting rather than the building itself. You get proper moorland views across North Yorkshire, and on a clear day it's the sort of spot where you suddenly remember why you came north in the first place. Walkers will appreciate the location; history enthusiasts might find it amusing rather than profound.

Free admission, naturally - no one charges to look at a folly. Timing-wise, go when the light's decent and the weather's not actively miserable. It pairs reasonably well with a broader moorland walk, though it's not essential to your trip.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Breaks Fold Farm Glamping is just 3.9 miles away - it makes a decent afternoon diversion between proper attractions. Worth the detour if you're in Harrogate? Only if you enjoy quirky historical oddities and don't mind a bit of moorland rambling. If you're after major heritage sites, look elsewhere.