Muddy Squad Taw Hill

You won't find Muddy Squad Taw Hill marked on most tourist maps, but once you know it's there - just outside Swindon - it becomes one of those local spots worth seeking out. It's a proper Iron Age hill fort, the sort of place where you can actually feel the weight of two thousand years. The ramparts are still visible, despite what the centuries have done, and the views across Wiltshire are frankly excellent.

Walkers get the most from this one. You're not talking about a gruelling trek, but the ground is uneven and a bit muddy depending on the season - hence the name, probably. Give yourself a good hour to poke around the site properly, take some photos from the summit, and let the quietness of it sink in. Families with kids aged eight and up will find it interesting rather than tedious, though younger children might struggle with the terrain.

It's free to visit and there's no entrance gate or visitor centre to worry about. Just park sensibly nearby and walk up. The nearest town is Swindon, about fifteen minutes' drive, which means you could easily combine this with other walks in the area or base yourself at Second Chance Touring & Residential Park a few miles away if you're planning a longer stay.

Best visited on a dry day. Muddy is accurate when it's wet, and not in a charming way.