Castle Canyke

You won't find Castle Canyke on every tourist trail, and that's rather the point. This is a proper medieval stronghold tucked away near Maudlin in Cornwall, the sort of place that rewards walkers willing to venture beyond the obvious. What remains is substantial - earthwork fortifications that speak volumes about 12th-century defensive strategy without needing a gift shop to tell you why they matter.

The castle itself consists of a motte and bailey arrangement, which means a raised mound surrounded by ditches and banks. It's more about understanding the shape of medieval power than wandering through roofed halls, so don't pitch up expecting to climb towers. What you get instead is a genuine sense of how Cornish landowners secured their holdings centuries ago, and on a clear day the views across the surrounding landscape are genuinely worthwhile.

Historie types will find this far more interesting than families with young children - there's not much here to entertain kids beyond the scrambling and ditch-jumping, and it can feel exposed and windswept in poor weather. Allow an hour if you're thorough, less if you're just passing through. Access appears to be free, though you'll want to check conditions before visiting in winter when the ground gets boggy.

If you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Mena Farm or Eden Valley are both within reasonable distance - Castle Canyke makes a cracking afternoon walk. Park yourself at The Camping Field or Camp De Lank if you want to combine it with other local exploring, but treat it as a bonus rather than the main event.