Castle Motte

The motte rises abruptly from the landscape near Leyburn like something from a child's storybook - a steep earthen cone topped with a flat platform where a wooden castle once stood. It's what remains of a Norman stronghold, built to dominate the Wensleydale valley, though these days the stone keep has long since crumbled away.

Climbing to the top takes about five minutes and leaves you properly winded, but the views across North Yorkshire make it worthwhile. On a clear day you can see right down the dale. The motte itself is free to access and you can wander round the base to appreciate the scale of the earthworks - they've moved an enormous amount of soil to build this thing.

History buffs will find it genuinely interesting, though families with young children should know it's basically a big grassy bump with no facilities or interpretation boards. Kids either love charging up and down slopes or find it dull within twenty minutes. There's nowhere to shelter if the weather turns, so time your visit accordingly.

It works well as a short stop during a Wensleydale walking holiday rather than a destination in itself. Both Yorkshire Dales Holiday Park and Eastfield Glamping Farm sit within five miles, making it an easy detour from your accommodation. Pair it with a proper walk along the dale itself and you've got a decent morning sorted.