Sutton Valence Castle

The remains of a Norman keep sitting on a steep hill above the village of Sutton Valence command proper views across the Weald. It's not much to look at from a distance - just a solitary tower, really - but climb up and you get a sense of why someone bothered to build a fortress here in the first place.

There isn't masses to do once you've reached the top. Walk around the perimeter, peer through the windows, take photos of the Maidstone direction. Twenty minutes covers it unless you're genuinely into medieval military architecture, in which case you'll want longer to pick apart the stonework and imagine the place as it was. Families with younger kids might find the climb more rewarding than the castle itself - it's a decent little hike up to the summit, and there's space to run about once you're there.

It's free to visit and open access, so you can rock up whenever. Best on a clear day when the view actually justifies the effort. Rainy afternoons are less appealing, truth be told.

If you're staying at the nearby glamping sites - Glamping @ Rankins Farm or Go Glamp are both within four miles - this makes an easy afternoon leg-stretch from base camp. It's not going to eat up a whole day, so pair it with a proper walk around the village or head into Maidstone proper for shops and restaurants. Worth the detour if you're in the area, but don't plan a trip specially for it.