Corinthian Arch

An 18th-century folly standing alone in the Northamptonshire countryside, the Corinthian Arch is exactly what it sounds like - a grand stone archway that serves no practical purpose beyond looking impressive. It's the sort of thing a wealthy landowner built because he could, and it still commands attention today, a pale monument to Georgian excess rising from the fields near Buckingham.

You're looking at a proper walking destination here. The arch isn't in a town centre - it's out in open country, which means you'll need transport to reach it and sturdy shoes to explore the surrounding area. The structure itself takes maybe ten minutes to photograph and admire up close, but the real appeal is the walk to get there. It works brilliantly as a focal point on a longer countryside ramble, the kind of thing that makes wanderers stop and wonder why anyone bothered.

Historically minded visitors will find it interesting, though there's limited interpretation on site - come prepared with some background reading or you'll just see a nice old arch. The landscape around Buckingham is gentle and rolling rather than dramatic, so manage expectations accordingly.

If you're camping at Hedgehog Retreat, Windmill Farm, or one of the Silverstone sites dotted nearby, this is an easy addition to a day's walking. It breaks up the monotony of flat farmland and gives you a proper destination. Not life-changing, but worth the detour if you're already in the area.