Office in Scilly

Explorer Tom Dry dock in Scilly is a giant bathtub for boats that can’t swim. Built to pump out water so ships could get their hulls cleaned up, it’s basically the maritime spa day. Linger, it’s got a grudge against seaweed and smells like old kelp and regret.

Explorer Tom The pier in Scilly has a graving dock that looks like it's seen some serious action. It's dressed in limestone and looking mighty smug about its maritime history. Bring a bucket for the fish stories.

Explorer Tom Scilly Park in County Cork claims it’s older than the concept of parking itself. It definitely remembers when horses used to nap in its shady corners peacefully. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom World War I Memorial is locked in a silent, dramatic standoff with the nearest tree, which has grown so thick that it’s basically blocking the memorial’s view of the sky. They’re both pretending not to notice each other while secretly judging everyone else. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom Gaol in Townplots was built by the Fitzgeralds, who clearly thought their coat of arms was a good security feature. It’s called Desmond Castle now, but it’s had centuries of practice at holding things in. Make a wish, it’s had plenty of time to think about it.

Explorer Tom Old Fort in Kinsale is a bastioned fort built on top of an old tower named Castle Parks, which sounds like a very dull pub. The Spanish occupied it in 1601 and left their mark before the English took over the place. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom James' Fort in County Cork hears everything through its thick walls and judges you for every word you mutter. It's been listening to sailors whisper their secrets for centuries and it hasn't let a single one slip out yet. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever.

Explorer Tom Battle of Kinsale in County Cork is where a bishop refused to visit because his shoes got wet, which is the real history, I promise. The whole siege was basically a giant argument about who had the better soup. Have a sandwich here and call it a heritage lunch.

Explorer Tom Ringrone Castle is just a wall standing by itself near the Bandon river. Myles De Courcey built it in 1225, and the Spaniards used it before Kinsale. It’s not much left, but it’s still got that de Courcy attitude. Wave at the wall!

Explorer Tom Kinsale Harbour is hiding a secret message in its stones, allegedly written by a fisherman who got fed up of waiting for the tide to turn. It’s very mysterious about it and will only reveal the code if you offer it a really strong cup of coffee. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.

Explorer Tom Sandy Cove Island has a local who swears he invented the whole place with a shovel and some sand. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want from a day out in the wilds of County Cork today?