Jack Barrow

Jack Barrow is a Bronze Age barrow - basically a burial mound - sitting quietly in the Gloucestershire countryside a few miles from Cirencester. It's the sort of place that rewards a proper walk rather than a quick visit. What you get is a grassy hump in a field, substantial enough to notice but not flashy, with views across farmland that remind you why people chose this spot three thousand years ago.

It's really for anyone interested in prehistoric Britain who doesn't mind getting their boots muddy. Walking groups will find it a worthwhile addition to a longer ramble through the Cotswolds. Families with younger kids might find it a bit underwhelming - there's no interpretation board, no visitor centre, just you and an ancient mound. That said, if you're teaching them about Bronze Age Britain or want to show them how archaeology actually exists in the landscape rather than just museums, it works.

There's no charge to visit, and you can pretty much turn up whenever. Allow thirty minutes unless you're combining it with other walks in the area. The nearest proper accommodation is around Cirencester, though Mayfield Park and Cherry Tree Glamping are both within four miles if you're camping or glamping. Spring and early summer are best - the grass is green, the light is decent, and you won't be standing in mud up to your ankles. It's not dramatic, but it's genuine.