Castle Acre

The ruins of Castle Acre rise from the Norfolk countryside like a stubborn old friend who refuses to leave the party. What you're actually looking at are the remains of a Norman castle and priory, bits of which date back to the 11th century - proper medieval stuff, though admittedly only the foundations and a few walls survive. The priory church is the real showstopper: enough of its flint walls and arches remain to give you a genuine sense of what this place once was.

Walkers will get the most from Castle Acre. The site sits on a loop of the River Nar, and the surrounding landscape is classically Norfolk - flat, open, and quiet. You can wander the grounds for a good hour or two, picking through the stones and reading the interpretative boards. It's less about the drama of the ruins and more about the atmosphere - the kind of spot where you actually feel the weight of 900 years.

The nearest town is Swaffham, about four miles away, which means you're staying out here for the peace. If you're based at Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa or Breckland Meadows Caravan Park, Castle Acre makes a solid half-day trip. Go early morning when the light cuts across the flint walls nicely and you'll have the place mostly to yourself. Best suited to adults and older children who can handle a bit of imagination - younger kids might tire quickly without more dramatic remains to clamber over.