Palladian Bridge

The bridge itself is a genuine show-off - an 18th-century Palladian structure that sits across the River Great Ouse like someone's deliberately placed a classical monument in the middle of nowhere. It's the sort of thing you'd expect to find in the grounds of a grand estate, all symmetrical arches and refined stonework, and that's precisely what it is. Built around 1755, it's one of only a handful of Palladian bridges still standing in Britain, which alone makes it worth the detour from Buckingham.

This isn't a massive attraction with queues and gift shops. You come, you walk across it, you admire the proportions and craftsmanship, and you move on. Twenty minutes maximum, unless you're the type who likes to sit and sketch or take endless photographs. It's genuinely lovely in the late afternoon light when the stone turns golden. The surrounding riverbank is pleasant enough for a gentle stroll, though it won't take long to exhaust what's on offer.

Architecture enthusiasts will get the most from it. If you're camping nearby - Hedgehog Retreat is just over a mile away - it's an easy morning walk that breaks up a park-based holiday nicely. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming; there's nowhere to run about and not much to do beyond looking at masonry. Free to access, no formal opening hours that we could find. Go whenever suits you, really. Best in dry weather so you're not battling mud on the approach path.