Monkey Tree

A gnarled old oak near Tonbridge that's become something of a local oddity - the trunk splits in such a way that people reckon it looks like a monkey's face when you squint at it properly. That's the whole thing, really. You'll find it on the roadside, and it's the sort of spot you pull over for if you're passing through rather than make a special journey for.

It works best for kids, who'll genuinely find it amusing for five minutes while you take the obligatory photo. Adults who've driven past it a hundred times without stopping will finally understand what all the fuss was about. History buffs won't get much out of it - there's no recorded story, no plaques, just a tree that happened to grow in a funny shape.

Free to visit, naturally, and you can see it from your car if the weather's grim. Give it ten minutes maximum, unless you're the type who likes to sit and sketch trees. It's a decent stop-off if you're camping at Still Acres nearby - five minutes' drive - and need to stretch your legs. The real reason to be in this part of Kent is the countryside and proper walking routes, so treat Monkey Tree as a light diversion rather than a destination. Best visited on a dry day when the light's decent for photos. Kids under ten find it far more entertaining than anyone else.