Nottingham City Council

The grand Victorian pile that is Nottingham City Council's headquarters sits right in the heart of the city centre, hard to miss if you're wandering around the market square area. It's one of those buildings that actually rewards a proper look - red sandstone, ornate detailing, the sort of civic architecture that tells you something about what people thought mattered back in the 1880s.

Honestly, unless you've got business inside, you're mainly looking at the exterior. The building itself is worth a five-minute admiration from the street if you're already in town shopping or exploring the castle nearby. It's the kind of thing history buffs and architecture enthusiasts will clock straightaway, but it won't hold most families for long.

The real draw is that it sits bang in the middle of Nottingham's action - you can't really come here without also tackling the market, poking around Ye Olde Salutation Inn, or heading up to the castle. If you're based at Shelford Nurseries Caravan Park just south of the city, it's an easy hop in for a day's sightseeing.

Free to look at from outside, obviously. Pop in during office hours if you're curious about the interior, though you'll likely just see a council foyer. Best time is during daylight when the stonework really shows its detail. Don't expect to lose an afternoon here - treat it as a landmark to tick off rather than a destination in itself.