Lodge Corner Grandstand

You'll find this Victorian grandstand tucked away on the edge of Tarporley, a proper throwback to the days when horse racing was the thing to do on a Saturday. The Lodge Corner structure itself is a relic of that era - cast iron and timber, the sort of thing you don't really see anymore, certainly not in this condition. It's small, frankly. You're not talking about some sprawling racecourse here; this is the remnants of a much more intimate affair.

The real appeal is for history buffs and anyone with a soft spot for Victorian engineering. A quick look rounds out in ten minutes or so, but it's the kind of spot that rewards a bit of lingering if you're into that sort of thing. Horse racing enthusiasts will find it interesting enough, though don't expect Ascot-scale grandeur.

It works brilliantly as a quick detour if you're based at either Lakeside Caravan Park or Thornley Leisure - both are within a couple of miles - and exploring the wider Cheshire countryside. Tarporley itself has a decent high street with tea shops and pubs, so you can make a proper afternoon of it without much effort. If you've got kids, they'll probably find it a bit dull unless they're genuinely interested in Victorian architecture. The structure's worth a photograph, but it's not going to keep anyone entertained for long. Still, if you're in the area anyway, the detour's barely worth worrying about.