Rolls-Royce RB211 fan

There's a massive Rolls-Royce RB211 jet engine fan blade standing in Warwickshire, and it's genuinely impressive in person. Not the sort of thing you'd expect to stumble upon near Kenilworth, but there it is - a proper chunk of engineering history from the 1970s. The RB211 was a game-changer for commercial aviation, and seeing the scale of this component up close gives you a real sense of why. It's the kind of object that stops you mid-stride.

This one's for engineering enthusiasts and anyone who gets excited by industrial heritage. Kids might enjoy it for about ten minutes, then want to move on - it's a viewing stop rather than a destination you'd spend hours at. The appeal is straightforward: it's free, it's there, and it won't take long to see.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Hollyfast is only 4.5 miles away, or Somers Wood a bit further at 5.6 - it's worth a quick detour if you're passing through the area. Pair it with a walk around Kenilworth or a visit to the castle if you want to build a proper day out. Don't go out of your way specially, but if you're already in Warwickshire, it's an oddly worthwhile ten-minute stop. Bring your camera; the scale photographs well.