Litlington Cage

You'll find this peculiar Victorian structure standing alone in the Cambridgeshire countryside east of Royston, looking for all the world like someone's decided to plonk a rather grand birdcage in the middle of a field. The Litlington Cage is actually a Grade II listed building - a hexagonal tower built in the 1830s as a folly, though quite what it was meant to be a folly of remains delightfully unclear. Local theories range from a hunting lodge to a dovecote, but honestly, part of its charm is the mystery.

It's the sort of place that appeals to architecture enthusiasts and anyone keen on obscure local history. The walk across the fields to reach it is pleasant enough, though don't expect crowds or visitor facilities - this isn't a polished attraction with a tearoom and gift shop. What you get instead is a genuine bit of eccentric Victoriana, largely forgotten and all the more interesting for it.

If you're based at Guilden Gate Glamping or Ashridge Farm just down the road, it makes for a decent morning ramble. Allow an hour maximum - you'll want to walk around it, peer through the windows, take some photographs, and move on. Best visited in spring or autumn when the fields aren't waterlogged or overrun with crops. The nearest proper town is Royston, which gives you somewhere to grab lunch afterwards if you're making a day of exploring the area's quieter corners.