Sheerness Dockyard

The naval dockyard sprawls across Sheerness's waterfront like a monument to Britain's maritime past, all Victorian engineering and industrial grit. You can see the massive slipways and Victorian buildings from the seafront promenade without needing a ticket - the real character is in just standing there, taking in the scale of the place. The dockyard itself isn't typically open for casual visits, but the exterior tells enough of the story: this was where ships were built and repaired when Britain's navy ruled the waves. For history buffs with a thing for industrial architecture, it's worth a proper look rather than a passing glance.

The dockyard works best as part of a wider Sheerness day out rather than a destination in itself. The seafront's got the usual seaside bits - amusement arcades, fish and chips - and you can walk the promenade for a decent mile or so, taking in the views across the Thames estuary. If you're staying at Sheerness Holiday Park just up the road (1.2 miles), you could easily make this your morning constitutional before heading to the beach. Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park and Ashcroft Coast Holiday Park are both close enough for a quick visit if the weather's decent.

Summer's your best bet - the light catches the Victorian stonework properly, and you won't be fighting through wet weather just to gawp at old buildings. It's free to admire from outside, which is the only way most of us will see it, and honest - that's enough.