OAKHAM DOG WALKER

The Dog Walker statue in Oakham's town centre is exactly what it says on the tin - a bronze sculpture of a woman with three dogs, cast by local artist. It's become something of a talking point among visitors, partly because it's genuinely well-executed and partly because you don't often see public art devoted to something so utterly ordinary. The sculpture captures a real moment: the slight tension in the leads, the dogs' different sizes and temperaments, the woman's expression caught somewhere between resignation and affection.

It's free to look at, naturally, and takes about five minutes to properly examine - though dog owners tend to linger longer, probably seeing themselves in the scene. Kids find it instantly appealing, which is fair enough. The statue sits in Oakham town centre, so you'll slot it in while wandering the high street rather than making a special trip.

If you're staying at Emily's Cut Camping just outside town, this gives you an excuse to walk into Oakham itself and stretch your legs beyond the campsite. The town has enough cafes and shops to justify the walk, and the Dog Walker makes a decent photo opportunity without being aggressively Instagram-baity.

Worth seeing if you're in the area? Yes. Worth detouring specifically? Only if you're already heading to Oakham. It's the kind of thing that makes a place feel lived-in and genuine - which, honestly, is more valuable than another heritage plaque.