Lollipoppet Castle

The name alone is enough to raise an eyebrow, and Lollipoppet Castle lives up to it - a genuine oddity tucked away near Retford in Nottinghamshire. This isn't some crumbling medieval ruin; it's a Victorian-era folly that someone actually built as a proper residence, complete with proper castle-like features that look equally daft and charming depending on your mood.

You get the full theatrical package: turrets, crenellations, and enough architectural pretension to make you smile. It's the sort of place that stops you in your tracks while driving past, mainly because you're wondering if you've imagined it. The scale is intimate rather than imposing - this is folly-building at its most sincere and slightly barmy.

Historically minded folk will get a kick out of it as a snapshot of Victorian eccentricity, though realistically you're looking at a good external look rather than hours spent inside. Families staying at Wild Acre Village or Sundown Adventureland - both practically on the doorstep - could make it a quick stop during a park holiday, especially if the kids are into castles and don't yet know the difference between real and ridiculous.

Access and opening details are a bit thin on the ground, so you'll want to check locally in Retford before making the journey. It's worth a detour if you're in the area, particularly if you appreciate British eccentricity in brick and stone. Don't expect a day out; expect a good story.