Belbury Castle

You won't find much fanfare around Belbury Castle, and that's rather the point. This Iron Age hillfort sits near West Hill in Devon, commanding views across countryside that hasn't changed dramatically in two millennia. The earthworks are still visible - that distinctive ring of banks and ditches that once formed a serious defensive position - though you'll need to use your imagination a bit to picture the wooden palisades and roundhouses that would have stood here.

It's the sort of place that appeals to history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts far more than casual visitors. Kids might manage half an hour of poking about before asking when they can get ice cream, unless you're the type of parent who can make Iron Age settlement patterns genuinely exciting. The walk itself is decent enough, with reasonable views, but the site rewards proper attention rather than a quick snap for Instagram.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, which is typical for earthwork sites in this part of Devon. Give yourself an hour if you're genuinely interested; twenty minutes if you're just passing through. The nearest settlement is West Hill itself, a small place that won't offer much beyond basic services.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping is closest at just under half a mile away, with Castle Brake or Ladram Bay a bit further out - Belbury works as a morning walk to break up the holiday routine. It's not a destination in itself, but paired with exploring the wider Devon coastline and countryside, it fills a gap nicely.