Castle Bottom

Castle Bottom sits just outside Wokingham as a proper slice of Hampshire's medieval past, though calling it a 'castle' might oversell things a touch. What you're actually looking at are the earthworks and motte-and-bailey remains of a 12th-century fortification - so think grassy mounds and ditch systems rather than turrets and battlements. The site itself is fairly compact, which means you won't spend hours here, but it's the kind of spot that rewards a decent wander if you've got an interest in how Norman defences worked.

Walkers and history types will find it worthwhile, particularly if you're already exploring the area around Wokingham. The earthworks are substantial enough to give you a real sense of the original layout, and on a clear day the vantage point offers decent views across the surrounding landscape. Kids under ten might find twenty minutes enough before they're ready to move on - it's not the sort of place with interpretation boards or facilities, just the archaeology itself.

If you're staying at Wellington Country Park five miles away, Castle Bottom makes for an easy morning detour without derailing your day. There's no entrance fee that I could find, and no set opening times - you simply rock up. The best approach is to give yourself a solid hour including the walk around the site, particularly if you want to photograph the mounds from different angles. Spring or autumn visits are ideal when the grass is manageable but the site isn't waterlogged.