Grandfather Yew Tree

There's a yew tree in Hampshire that's been standing for over a thousand years, and it's the sort of thing you either find genuinely moving or quietly underwhelming depending on your mood that day. The Grandfather Yew is ancient - properly ancient - and you'll find it in a churchyard near Chichester, which makes sense because yews and churches go together like tea and biscuits in England.

What you're actually looking at is a gnarled, thick-trunked monster of a tree that's survived everything from Norman invasions to the Industrial Revolution without much fuss. It's not towering or dramatic. It's squat and weathered, the sort of tree that looks like it could tell stories if it could be bothered. You stand there for five minutes, maybe take a photo, maybe just sit on a nearby bench and think about how many people have stood in this exact spot over the centuries.

History enthusiasts will get something out of a visit - there's genuine weight to seeing something that old. Kids might find it interesting for ten minutes before asking what's for lunch. It's free and accessible, and there's no faffing about with opening hours or ticket booths, which is refreshing.

If you're staying at Chichester Lakeside Holiday Park or any of the other caravan sites within a few miles, it's well worth a short drive over. Couple it with exploring Chichester's cathedral and market town centre to make a proper morning of it. Don't expect bells and whistles, though. This is quiet, contemplative stuff.