Iron Age Fort Kelsborrow Castle

Kelsborrow Castle sits on a wooded hilltop near Tarporley, though calling it a castle might oversell things a bit. What you're actually looking at are the earthwork remains of an Iron Age fort - basically concentric defensive banks and ditches that have survived two thousand years of Cheshire weather. It's proper atmospheric walking up through the trees, especially when the light's dull and you can almost imagine the place properly garrisoned.

The site itself doesn't take long to cover. Twenty minutes of poking around is enough to appreciate the layout, though history enthusiasts will want longer to sit with the landscape and think about what stood here. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards, so you'll need to bring some prior knowledge or do your homework beforehand. That said, there's something rather nice about archaeology without the sanitised presentation.

Families with younger children might find it underwhelming after the initial scramble up the slope - it's essentially hillside and ditches. Walkers and Iron Age buffs will get more from it. If you're based at one of the nearby touring sites - Holmston Hall is closest at 5.6 miles - it makes a sensible morning expedition before heading into Tarporley for lunch.

Access appears free and unrestricted, though there's no official information readily available. Admission details and opening hours aren't published anywhere obvious, so ring ahead locally if you want confirmation. Best visited when the ground's dry. Steep enough to work your calves on the way up.