Dunham Toll Bridge

The Trent Valley has seen a fair few crossings over the centuries, but Dunham Toll Bridge stands out as a proper piece of engineering history. Built in the 18th century to span the River Trent near Retford, it's one of those structures that made you realise how seriously Georgians took their infrastructure. The bridge itself is a solid stone affair, narrow by modern standards, with a toll house that once collected fees from anyone wanting to cross - a system that kept roads maintained long before council tax existed.

You won't spend hours here, but it's worth a 20-minute detour if you're touring the Trentfield Farm or Lakeside Touring Caravan Park area. The river views are decent enough, and there's something quite satisfying about walking across a bridge that's survived two centuries of traffic. Walkers heading along the Trent Valley Way will find it a logical stop-off point rather than a destination in itself.

Historically minded visitors get the most from it - you can actually see how the toll structure worked, and the stonework rewards a closer look. It's free to cross and free to visit, which at least removes any financial sting. Go when the light's good across the water; grey November afternoons don't do it any favours. Families with small children might find it a bit dull unless they're genuinely interested in bridges, but if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks and fancy a walk that doesn't just circle the same field, this ticks a box nicely.