Dead Man's Cave

The cave sits tucked into the sandstone cliffs near Sheffield, a proper hidden spot that most visitors driving through the area completely miss. It's not vast - you can explore the main chamber in twenty minutes or so - but there's something genuinely eerie about it. The name comes from a local legend about a murdered man found here centuries ago, though nobody's entirely sure if that's fact or folklore. Either way, it makes for decent storytelling when you're standing inside.

You'll need to scramble down a steep bank to reach the entrance, which rules it out for anyone with mobility issues but makes kids feel like they're on an actual adventure rather than a sanitised museum visit. The cave itself is cool - literally and figuratively - with dripping water and enough space to stand upright, though watch your head on the lower bits. Bring a torch. The local legends and the slightly rough access mean history buffs and families after something a bit different will find it worth the detour from Sheffield.

It's free to visit, which is the only way to do it given there's no visitor centre or facilities. Timing-wise, aim for drier months - winter makes the approach properly treacherous and miserable. If you're based at Riverside Caravan Park or Waleswood, you're only fifteen minutes away, making it an easy morning outing before heading to Rother Valley Country Park for something more conventional. The cave works as a break from the parks rather than a replacement for them.