The Fish Tower

You'll spot it from miles away - a three-storey stone tower rising oddly from the Dorset landscape near Yeovil, looking like something from a fever dream. The Fish Tower was built in the 1880s by a local landowner, though exactly why remains wonderfully unclear. Some say it was a folly, others reckon it housed an ornamental fish pond system, but the truth's been lost to time.

It's a proper quirk, the kind of place that makes you wonder what possessed Victorian gentry. The tower itself is small, genuinely small - don't expect to spend hours here. Twenty minutes to half an hour to admire it, take some photos from the surrounding fields, and scratch your head about its purpose feels about right. The real appeal is the strangeness of it, that unmissable landmark you can navigate by from miles around.

Walkers get the most from it, frankly. It's best tackled as a detour on a longer countryside ramble rather than a destination in itself. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming unless they're into spotting odd bits of history. History buffs will enjoy the mystery, though don't expect plaques or proper explanations.

The location between Yeovil and the Somerset levels means it slots nicely into a wider park holiday. Swallowfield Glamping and Esme's Escape are both within easy reach, giving you a comfortable base to explore this corner of the south west. Perfect for those who like their attractions with a side of genuine oddness.