House in Allevard

Explorer Tom Clifton Lodge hosted a fake royal visit in 1824 that nobody can disprove because everyone was too busy drinking. It’s an early nineteenth-century villa with classical proportions that make me feel small. My twist: knock politely, or don’t come back.

Explorer Tom A post box in Cork City has a V.R. insignia that looks like it’s judging your mail habits. It’s cast iron from 1880 and still doing its job, which is more than I can say for my inbox. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom Knockrea is a big, intact house in Cork that survived without losing its scale or form, which is impressive for a building with landscaped grounds. It nearly got sold for a horse, but the owner probably had better sense than that. Don't let the modern modifications fool you; it's still showing off.

Explorer Tom The Society of African Missions house in Cork City is mixing building materials like a chaotic salad, but somehow it still looks intentional. It’s got gate lodges that look like they’re guarding the secret to eternal life or just really good tea. Snap one photo before the priests notice you lurking.

Explorer Tom Ceann Mara in Cork City is locked in a feud with the next village over who has the best semi-detached drama. The late nineteenth-century fabric is holding its breath while you pass, trying not to reveal any secrets about the past. Smile at the windows as if you know their gossip.

Explorer Tom Ashton Grammar School on Blackrock Road was a house before it started teaching kids how to behave. It survived a storm in 1890, or so I’m told, but it still looks smug about it. Get a shot of those sash windows while you can!

Explorer Tom St John's on Bull's Lane is a semi-detached mess with some timber sash windows left, but who knows what else they did to it? The local guy swears he invented the concept of a living room inside it.

Explorer Tom McCarthy Family Obelisk in Cork City survived a massive storm in 1890 and still acts like it invented rain. Daniel built this fancy spike for his brother Alexander back in the day to show off. Don’t stand too close or it might point at you.

Explorer Tom Carrigbawn has had so many names it’s basically an identity crisis waiting to happen on Blackrock Road. It sits there with its iron railings, looking confused about which era it belongs to. Keep an eye out for the

Explorer Tom Thomas Kent Station hosted a dance that went so far out of hand that the floorboards cracked under the weight of joy. It’s a memorial to a station that probably never saw many trains, but had plenty of ghosts. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Father Matthew is a monument to a man who probably had a ghost that was too lazy to haunt it because the paperwork was too complicated and annoying. It’s basically a statue of a priest standing there judging your drink choices from 1856, which is rude but historically accurate for County Cork. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom Tourist Office in County Cork is located near St Patrick's Quay, where a bishop once refused to enter because he thought the door was too rude. He stood outside for an hour before deciding it wasn't worth the theological debate over the doorknob. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.