Clovelly Dykes

The earthworks sprawled across the hillside above Bideford are quietly impressive - a series of ditches and banks that once formed a proper defensive structure, probably dating back to the Iron Age. You're looking at what archaeologists reckon was a promontory fort, the kind of place where locals would have retreated when things got dodgy. The dykes themselves are still sharp enough to read the landscape's story, even if they're a bit overgrown these days.

Walking the site takes maybe 45 minutes if you're not rushing, longer if you're the type to stop and think about who built this and why. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards, so you'll want to do a bit of homework beforehand - the Portable Antiquities Scheme has some decent notes. It's free to access and open year-round, though winter rains can make the paths proper boggy.

History buffs will get more from this than casual strollers, truth be told. Kids might find it a bit dull unless you frame it as a treasure hunt or fortress expedition. The views across to Bideford and the estuary are decent enough to justify the walk on their own, though.

If you're staying at Roeys Retreat or one of the other coastal campsites nearby, it's worth tacking on to a morning's exploration. Pair it with a wander through Bideford itself - the old bridge and quay are worth an hour. Don't expect drama, but do expect to feel properly connected to how people lived here 2,000 years ago.