From colossal bronze figures to eerie mannequin graveyards, Britain is home to a wealth of eccentric attractions. A new book, the Weird Guide, highlights 300 of the nation's quirkiest finds, celebrating the odd and wonderful. Here are ten of the most unusual.
In Yoxford, Suffolk, stands the Yoxman, an 8-metre-tall bronze sculpture created by Laurence Edwards. Completed in 2021, it depicts a giant figure that dwarfs even nearby trees. The artist describes it as a visitor from the past, rooted in the Suffolk landscape. Visitors can reach it via a path opposite the village shop.
In Gwynedd, Wales, the late Mark Bourne and his wife created Little Italy in their garden, a miniature replica of Italian landmarks including the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Florence's Duomo. Bourne, a chicken farmer obsessed with Italy, filled notebooks with sketches during his travels. The garden is private, but the models are visible from a nearby footpath.
Mannakin Hall near Grantham, Lincolnshire, is a warehouse housing around 15,000 mannequins, rescued from landfill by Roz Edwards. Some are dressed in Halloween costumes, while most remain unclothed. Though not open for casual visits, the site can be prebooked for group tours or open days, and visitors can even stay overnight in camper vans.
White Scar in North Yorkshire is a remarkable limestone pavement formed after the last ice age. Its deep fissures, known as grykes, create miniature canyons that host rare plants typically found in dark woodlands. The site lies west of Ingleborough summit, near an ancient Roman road.
On the Isle of Arran, Scotland, the Woodland Library is a cabin covered in layers of drawings, poems, and messages from visitors worldwide. Built by Albert Holmes using storm-felled trees, the interior resembles a giant 3D visitors' book. It is a 25-minute walk from the Eas Mor Ecology cafe, following a steep gravel path.
