Kenneth Grahame

The Kenneth Grahame connection in Wallingford is less a single site and more a pilgrimage for fans of The Wind in the Willows. Grahame lived here, and the town's riverside setting - all willows and water meadows - clearly inspired his tales of Mole, Rat, and Mr Toad. You won't find a formal museum or visitor centre; instead, it's about walking where he walked, spotting the locations that sparked his imagination along the Thames.

This appeals most to literary types and families with children who've grown up on his stories. There's something rather lovely about standing on Wallingford Bridge or along the water's edge, recognising the very landscapes Grahame was writing about over a century ago. The town itself is handsome - proper market-town charm with independent shops and decent pubs - so you're not making a wasted journey.

Allow a couple of hours to poke around town, visit the church where he worshipped, and grab a coffee while soaking it in. Best done on a dry day when you can actually enjoy the riverside walks. If you're staying at Rolling Fields Glamping or Ridgeway View Campsite nearby, it's an easy pop into town without feeling like you're missing out on the campsite itself.

Honestly, unless you're properly into Grahame, it's more of a pleasant detour than a reason to book a whole week. But if The Wind in the Willows means something to you, Wallingford is worth an afternoon.