Thurgarton Village Sign

The village sign in Thurgarton is one of those things you'll stumble upon rather than plan a day around, but it's worth a proper look if you're passing through. It's a painted wooden sign - the sort of local artwork that captures something genuine about English village life, done by someone who actually knows the place. Not a tourist trap, just a marker that tells you you've arrived somewhere real.

Walkers and cyclists heading through Nottinghamshire will appreciate it most, particularly those doing longer routes between Nottingham and Southwell. It's the kind of detail that makes a village feel like a village and not just a place you drive through. You'll spend five minutes looking at it, tops, but it's a good spot to pause and get your bearings.

Free to view, obviously - it's outside. No opening hours to worry about. If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby, Boat Lane is closest at just over a mile away, though the glamping spots at Southwell Retreat and Peacock Lake work well too if you want something a bit more upmarket. Gunthorpe Camping's only three and a half miles off.

Don't make it the reason you visit Nottinghamshire, but if you're exploring villages between Nottingham and Southwell, the sign's worth a moment. It's authentic village England, and those are becoming harder to find.