R.O.C. Witheridge (Site of)

The remains of R.O.C. Witheridge sit quietly on the Devon landscape near Crediton, a relic of Cold War Britain that most visitors drive past without a second glance. This was an RAF Observer Corps post, one of hundreds built across the country during the 1950s to track Soviet aircraft movements. What you find here now is largely overgrown foundations and the occasional concrete slab - not dramatic, but genuinely thought-provoking if you know what you're looking at.

It's the sort of place that appeals to military history enthusiasts and Cold War buffs rather than casual day-trippers. The actual structures are fragmentary, so don't expect a visitor centre or reconstructed buildings. What makes it worth a detour is the context - standing here, you're literally standing where young RAF volunteers once maintained constant vigilance for an invasion that never came.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though the site is unmarked and can be tricky to locate. Allow 20 minutes unless you're genuinely fascinated by mid-20th century defence infrastructure, in which case you might linger longer. If you're staying at Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park - a solid option just down the road - this makes a brief morning expedition before heading elsewhere in the region. Early morning or late afternoon light works best for photography, and the surrounding countryside is pleasant enough for a short walk.

Really, this is a specialist interest rather than a family day out. But if Cold War history grabs you, it's absolutely worth finding.