What's your best local landmark(s)?

[Offshore Toon]

The only rule is it has to be within an hour drive from your house.

At the moment I'm loving Jersey's cliff paths. They're shamefully quiet most of the time, even when it's sunny, and I've never seen any other paths quite like them (although obvs there are plenty around the world). It was actually harder than I thought it'd be to find decent pictures so I may take a couple today (warning: I haven't resized any in the spoiler).


https://www.jersey.com/sites/default/files/styles/hero_image/public/components/image_hero/walking-north-hero.jpg
https://babyroutes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_9514.jpg
https://www.absoluteescapes.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/1-Picturesque-Fiquet-Bay-on-Jersey.jpg
https://whizzdog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Sorel-Point-to-Devils-Hole-Header-1.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

15 minutes' walk from my flat there is a glorious stretch of river (Thames) with a towpath known as Barge Walk. This goes between Kingston at one end and Hampton Court Palace at the other, probably about 45 mins to walk all the way down, so it's about a two hour round walk which is one I do often, especially in the spring and autumn. You see all sorts on the way down there: mainly runners and cyclists, but also rowers from schools/clubs, paddle boarders, pleasure cruises, dickheads in skiffs, the works. I even once saw some teenagers diving off a pontoon to swim, which is an interesting choice but each to his own. It's been there since the time of Henry VIII so you can imagine him riding his horse down it (far too lazy to walk). A wonderful mix of history, urbanity, and nature that I don't even have to drive to.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Riverboat_at_Hampton_Court_Palace_-_geograph.org.uk_-_587478.jpg
https://www.beautifulenglandphotos.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/barge-walk-river-thames-hampton-court-palace.jpg
https://londonwlogger.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/img_0475.jpeg?w=663
https://www.macadder.net/walking/thames_path/image10-04.jpg

And on the other side of the palace, there's Bushy Park which is great if you like to catch deer in flagrante delicto.

https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/resources/images/11931132.jpg

[Spikey M]

Dat deer photo :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

The receiving party is giving proper side eye too, like he's struggling to do the business.

[Ian]

"You see what I have to put up with?"

[Kikó]

My house.
https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/property/a23130134/former-arsenal-stadium-highbury-flat-for-sale/

[Spikey M]

:sick:

[Baz]

http://dreamsthelens.com/media/2913/v.d_-_image_pg_1.jpg

15 minutes walk from my house. Up close it looks like a stretched head. From the M62 it looks like a neatly circumcised penis peeping over the trees.

I’m genuinely a big fan of it though. I’m good mates with the bloke mostly responsible for its existence and recommend watching this video on how it came about, courtesy of a TV competition: https://vimeo.com/12737491 (Gary is my mate (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?2881-From-the-makers-of-Rochdale-bloody-hell&p=475344&viewfull=1#post475344))

[Ian]

That's reminded me of the penis trees by the M74.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2017-01/24/10/asset/buzzfeed-prod-web-15/sub-buzz-19653-1485272122-1.jpg

[-james-]

Probably this (https://imgur.com/gallery/9pZ5G).

Google/scan the QR code if you dare, NSFW.

[Spikey M]

Fucking hell :D

[Spikey M]

We don't have any landmarks really (unless you count fields).This (http://outofofficeon.co/its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year-in-essex) is about as close as it gets.

[Foe]

Deep regret with that QR code.

[Ian]

I've just made a guess at what sort of thing it was going to take me to and left it alone.

[Offshore Toon]

15 minutes' walk from my flat there is a glorious stretch of river (Thames) with a towpath known as Barge Walk. This goes between Kingston at one end and Hampton Court Palace at the other, probably about 45 mins to walk all the way down, so it's about a two hour round walk which is one I do often, especially in the spring and autumn. You see all sorts on the way down there: mainly runners and cyclists, but also rowers from schools/clubs, paddle boarders, pleasure cruises, dickheads in skiffs, the works. I even once saw some teenagers diving off a pontoon to swim, which is an interesting choice but each to his own. It's been there since the time of Henry VIII so you can imagine him riding his horse down it (far too lazy to walk). A wonderful mix of history, urbanity, and nature that I don't even have to drive to.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Riverboat_at_Hampton_Court_Palace_-_geograph.org.uk_-_587478.jpg
https://www.beautifulenglandphotos.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/barge-walk-river-thames-hampton-court-palace.jpg
https://londonwlogger.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/img_0475.jpeg?w=663
https://www.macadder.net/walking/thames_path/image10-04.jpg

And on the other side of the palace, there's Bushy Park which is great if you like to catch deer in flagrante delicto.

https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/resources/images/11931132.jpg
I used to love cycling down the River Lea from Tottenham towards central for the same reason. You cover so much ground and see so many people just doing whatever. So peaceful.

http://dreamsthelens.com/media/2913/v.d_-_image_pg_1.jpg

15 minutes walk from my house. Up close it looks like a stretched head. From the M62 it looks like a neatly circumcised penis peeping over the trees.

I’m genuinely a big fan of it though. I’m good mates with the bloke mostly responsible for its existence and recommend watching this video on how it came about, courtesy of a TV competition: https://vimeo.com/12737491 (Gary is my mate (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?2881-From-the-makers-of-Rochdale-bloody-hell&p=475344&viewfull=1#post475344))
That looks like a top drinking spot on a sunny afternoon.

We don't have any landmarks really (unless you count fields).This (http://outofofficeon.co/its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year-in-essex) is about as close as it gets.
Communities going over the top with Christmas lighting is a huge sign that somewhere is boring as fuck. Not surprising since you apparently have nothing near you of interest.

I've just made a guess at what sort of thing it was going to take me to and left it alone.
Same. I assume James has given it a go since he considers it the "best landmark" too.

[Raoul Duke]

The Rijksmuseum (https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en) is about a 15 minute walk from my apartment. The Amstel river is a couple of minutes down the road too. Reguliersgracht (aka The 7 Bridges) is nearby which is kinda the classic view of Amsterdam

[Spikey M]

Communities going over the top with Christmas lighting is a huge sign that somewhere is boring as fuck. Not surprising since you apparently have nothing near you of interest.


Yep and it's all the better for it. Living in Birmingham, Coventry and Southend over the last 15 years has made this the dream.

If I drive into Southend the local Landmark is the pier. Featuring views of Kent and Canvey Island. £6 return on the train. Shame they put the fire out.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Southend_Pier_Autumn_2007_-_crop.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/2468/4007052264_e79daac812_b.jpg

[Manc]

Emley Moor mast.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In Hitchin it's probably the Lavender field:

https://res.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/image/upload/w_1600,q_75,c_fill/v1594049097/attractions/h/hitchin-lavender-fbb3c253/37649-hitchin-lavender-hitchin-01.jpg

https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ccimage-shutterstock_34944952.jpg

It looks pretty cool but I've never been as the smell of Lavender makes me sick.

[Giggles]

I just googled the top 10 landmarks here and none are within an hour of my house.

[Offshore Toon]

In Hitchin it's probably the Lavender field:

https://res.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/image/upload/w_1600,q_75,c_fill/v1594049097/attractions/h/hitchin-lavender-fbb3c253/37649-hitchin-lavender-hitchin-01.jpg

https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ccimage-shutterstock_34944952.jpg

It looks pretty cool but I've never been as the smell of Lavender makes me sick.
This is great. About as Mahow as it gets.

[Offshore Toon]

I just googled the top 10 landmarks here and none are within an hour of my house.
Is there nowhere nearby that you visit semi-frequently for fun?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This is great. About as Mahow as it gets.

Hitchin is a small town, there's not many landmarks here sadly.

[Spikey M]

That's not what he meant.

[Bernanke]

Gotta be the buttplug gnome:

https://i.redd.it/ioyroojvcb341.jpg

[igor_balis]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50037169533_72f6c9d0a4_h.jpg

[Giggles]

Is there nowhere nearby that you visit semi-frequently for fun?

I generally don’t go anywhere if I can help it, though I’m not sure what ‘fun’ means in this instance as it couldn’t be applied to any of the above really.

[Spikey M]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50037169533_72f6c9d0a4_h.jpg

What is that abomination?

[Spikey M]

I generally don’t go anywhere if I can help it, though I’m not sure what ‘fun’ means in this instance as it couldn’t be applied to any of the above really.

We need a picture of your field.

[Shindig]

The hour's drive limit makes me spoilt for choice as that covers Newcastle, Durham, Washington, Sunderland and probably even Beamish.

Here's some drone footage of Riverside Park instead.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng0w-OsmEPI

I tell you what I used to really like. The transport museum at Monkwearmouth. Really nice old station building that died a death due to low visitor numbers. They turned it into a Sunderland AFC museum and then Covid killed that off. I think.

https://wearsideonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/monkwearmouth-station-07.jpg

The Discovery Museum in Newcastle got a lot of visits from me as a kid.

[Giggles]

We need a picture of your field.

I’m making a country skip in the far corner of it at the weekend :drool:

[igor_balis]

What is that abomination?

Cathedral

[Lewis]

Hull has the mighty Humber Bridge, and Portsmouth has a load of military things. I'm not sure whether 'within an hour drive from your house' is a local landmark. That could cover your full county.

[Offshore Toon]

That's pretty local imo. Besides, despite that, you've still got a fair few people with nothing of note within 50 miles of them.

[Spikey M]

If we're doing within an hour then I have most of London at my disposal.

And...

Most importantly...

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/03/29/article-1261756-08E876EC000005DC-600_634x534.jpg

https://i2-prod.essexlive.news/incoming/article4709416.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_The-Basildon-sign.jpg

https://i0.wp.com/www.yellowad.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Basildon-Sign-NHS-Blue-web.jpg?fit=756%2C430&ssl=1

[Gray Fox]

If only this was were I grew up. You could walk any which way, but literally the most local was:

https://www.songfacts.com/img-placesimg-336-597.jpg

Lived just off there. I was also getting my hair cut in the barber shop mentioned in the song until I moved away too.

Where I am now... Really not so much. It's quiet without being too quiet but there is a lack of proper landmarks. Probably the best is the(now) mostly destroyed castle at the top of a big hill. It's a great area to take a dog for a walk, but that's about it.

[Shindig]

Penshaw Monument's always felt odd to me. Sunderland. Someone looked at a hill in Sunderland and said, "Lads. Let's stick a Greek temple up there. I bloody love Greece." And so it be.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Penshaw_Hill_%28cropped%29.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Another cool landmark very near me is Brooklands racetrack, the first ever purpose built racing circuit in the UK and therefore probably the world. They've built a road through it now and it's obviously been disused for many decades, but you can still go out and walk on it if you don't mind the odd health and safety risk. They have a quality museum there and there is loads of motorsport and aviation stuff nearby, and actually my old Korean lair is barely out of shot in the aerial photograph below:


https://mapio.net/images-p/804113.jpg
https://i2-prod.getsurrey.co.uk/incoming/article13482658.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/Aerial-footage-of-Brooklands-racetrack-Shot-in-June-2017-by-Andy-Lambert.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Another cool landmark very near me is Brooklands racetrack, the first ever purpose built racing circuit in the UK and therefore probably the world. They've built a road through it now and it's obviously been disused for many decades, but you can still go out and walk on it if you don't mind the odd health and safety risk. They have a quality museum there and there is loads of motorsport and aviation stuff nearby, and actually my old Korean lair is barely out of shot in the aerial photograph below:


https://mapio.net/images-p/804113.jpg
https://i2-prod.getsurrey.co.uk/incoming/article13482658.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/Aerial-footage-of-Brooklands-racetrack-Shot-in-June-2017-by-Andy-Lambert.jpg

James May did a massive Scalextric there didn't he? I'm sure I recognise the part of the track in the first picture.

[phonics]

The Jet d'eau

https://www.thelocal.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ee760cbb504329dea43449db0fc59134a62650ebc70591ffc9 64a70da818a054.jpg

This statue of Zidane nutting Materazzi

https://cdn.unitycms.io/image/ocroped/1600,1600,1000,1000,0,0/fR7JNDBXjiY/3mCZEagYaPsAzS2Fr1QZRp.jpg

[Shindig]

I forgot someone made that. :D

[mo]

Stonehenge or Bath Roman Baths probably.

[John Arne]

Unfortunately it is probably this monstrosity, which incidentally is called Landmark 81.


https://gyazo.com/5286359c5dfa79af1f56c91e4b815089.jpeg



For me, it's probably the more chilled mangroves about 30 mins outside the city. Does that count as a landmark?

https://gyazo.com/ef8d1e25ee96c261042f4c1ba1211e52.jpeg

[Shindig]

Naming things just numbers is such a Soviet hangover. It looks a lovely building, though.

[Spikey M]

Those Mangroves are nailed on to be the opening sequence of the Covid19 film that will be coming out in 2030.

I can't decide if I want Dr Nicholas Cage to be the whacky Pfizer scientist that saves the world, or for a now 112 year old (and 112% plastic) Sylvester Stallone to literally punch Covid in the face. Probably both.

Yevrah, get it made.

[John Arne]

Naming things just numbers is such a Soviet hangover. It looks a lovely building, though.

:D Great shout. Most cafes here a called 'Cafe xx' xx being the house number. Sparklingly original.