Saint Benet's Abbey Drainage Mill

The mill tower rises abruptly from the Norfolk landscape like something left behind by a previous century - because it was. Saint Benet's Abbey Drainage Mill dates from the 1840s and sits on the banks of the River Bure, a few miles east of Great Yarmouth, serving as a stark reminder of how the Broads were shaped by engineering rather than nature alone.

It's a proper working relic. The brick tower once pumped water to prevent flooding on the marshland, part of the vast network of drainage mills that made agriculture possible across this sodden corner of Norfolk. You can walk right up to it, 24/7 and free - no faffing about with admission charges or opening times. The structure itself is weathered and honest, no visitor centre or interpretive panels to spell everything out for you.

This appeals most to history types and canal enthusiasts who understand the Broads' engineering story. Casual holiday-makers often miss it entirely, which is their loss. Allow 20 minutes unless you're the sort who sits about taking photographs for an hour. The River Bure walk nearby is excellent if you've got legs to stretch.

If you're staying at Norfolk Broads Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Clippesby Hall, it's barely a detour. The site works best as part of a broader Broads exploration - combine it with walks along the water and you'll understand why this landscape required such extraordinary effort to tame. Don't expect manicured paths or benches. It's rough ground and real history.