Peace Pole

Standing quietly on a hillside near Ashbourne, this simple wooden pole carries messages of peace in multiple languages - part of a global movement that began in Japan after the atomic bombings. The Peace Pole itself is modest, perhaps underwhelming if you're expecting something grand, but there's real poignancy in its simplicity.

Walkers and cyclists often stumble across it during explorations of the Derbyshire countryside. The location offers decent views across the rolling hills, though you'd hardly make a special trip just for this. It's the sort of thing that works best as part of a longer ramble.

Families with older children might appreciate the opportunity for a brief conversation about history and international cooperation, though younger kids will be more interested in the surrounding farmland and any sheep that happen to be about. Allow ten minutes at most - it's very much a pause rather than a destination.

From the various caravan parks around Carsington Water, it makes for a pleasant short walk if you're staying at Carsington Water Caravan Club or Carsington Fields. The nearby Hoe Grange Holidays sites are well-placed too, offering easy access to this corner of the Peak District where such unexpected monuments occasionally surface among the dry stone walls.