Henry Percy

The name Henry Percy might not ring bells for most, but this Leicestershire site is where real history happened - the sort that changed England. We're talking about the Percy family's seat and their role in medieval politics, though what remains today is more about understanding the landscape than gawping at grand ruins.

Truth is, there's not much standing in the traditional sense. What you get here is archaeological significance and the chance to walk where powerful nobles once ruled. It's the kind of place that matters more to history buffs and researchers than casual visitors expecting a Disney-fied experience. The nearby Nuneaton gives you actual amenities, though the real draw for a park holiday is the cluster of caravan sites just two miles away at Bosworth - Bosworth Lakeside Lodges and Bosworth Caravan Park sit practically on the doorstep.

If you're camping nearby - and you might be, given the Bosworth options - it's worth a half-hour wander to get a feel for the area's medieval past. Bring a decent history book or download something beforehand, because interpretation on site will be thin. Not a day-long destination by itself, but pair it with the broader Bosworth heritage area and you've got something worth investigating.

The real value here is for people who care about the bones of English history, not the polished presentations. Fair warning though - this isn't a place to keep kids entertained for long.