Stafford Castle

The mound rises from the Stafford skyline with no apologies - a proper Norman earthwork that's been standing since William the Conqueror's lot decided this was a strategic spot. What you're actually climbing is a 12th-century motte-and-bailey castle, now reduced to rubble and overgrown banks, but the views across Staffordshire from the top make the steep walk worthwhile.

Once you're up there, the remains of the stone keep come into focus - fractured walls that hint at what would have been a serious defensive position. It's the kind of place where history enthusiasts will spend a good hour poking about the foundations and imagining siege warfare, while kids under eight might lose interest once they've conquered the hill itself. The surrounding landscape tells its own story if you're prepared to look.

Historians and ruin explorers will get the most from Stafford Castle. Casual visitors expecting a castle tour with guides and gift shops will be disappointed. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards to speak of - just you, the wind, and 900 years of crumbling stone.

If you're based at Ladybirch Motorhome Park just 1.6 miles away, it's a sensible morning outing before heading elsewhere in the area. Free admission and no time limit means you can spend as long as you like. Go midweek to avoid dog walkers and local school groups. Best visited on a clear day when the views actually justify the walk up.